School Readiness Event
Since 2001, SPA 8 has organized 19 conferences that have convened over 17,000 parents, youth, community groups, childcare providers, businesses, school personnel, faith-based organizations and service providers to discuss ways to improve the communities in which we live. In the last eight years, we’ve explored many topics ranging from school readiness to advocacy, leadership development, economic development, and healthy lifestyles. A common thread that has run through each of these conferences has been the importance of building communities and harnessing their power to make change possible.
“Together We Will Impact LA” will explore how we can continue to build on everything we’ve learned at our last 19 conferences,as well as through the work we’ve been doing in our communities, to reach even greater levels of success for our families around education and economic goals.
We will explore:
- How to start your own small business.
- How to utilize existing resources in your community as a learning tool for you and your children.
- How to realize the importance of being an involved dad/male role model.
- How to include fitness in your families everyday routine.
- How to recognize the effect bullying has on your child.
- How to be able to defend yourself in a dangerous situation.
- How to promote healthy lifestyles by participating in urban farming.
- How to understand the developmental stages of young children.
Conference Highlights
Facilitator Jonathan Mooney - is a leading writer and activist for alternative education. Jonathan has lectured extensively in the United States and abroad and is the author of the books Learning Outside the Lines and The Short Bus Series.
Afternoon Workshops- conference participants will select one workshop from the following topics:
Grassroots Business Start Up - will provide insight on how one can go about starting their own business. Learn about creating a business plan, finding loans, generating a marketing strategy and obtaining the appropriate licenses and permits.
Parents and Children Learning Together - will provide participants with the opportunity to explore how you can use your community as learning opportunities for your child. Participants will gain ideas and tips of how to enrich the hands-on experiences of their children.
Half-Time for Dads - will be a fun and interactive workshop, using sports, where dads and paternal role models will play, socialize,and have meaningful dialogue about their roles in the lives of children. The DADS NAC will re-create a sports bar’s exciting atmosphere and have cut to the chase activities that are both engaging and informative. (workshop is for MALES only)
Family Fun Fitness -will include fun and easy fitness activities for the entire family. This workshop will also include quick and easy healthy snacks that the whole family will enjoy.
Bullying and Its Effect on Youth - will help participants better understand the concept of bullying and strategies to combat bullying. Bullying can have a devastating effect on a young person's life. Do you understand what bullying is and how it affects people?
Stranger Danger: will introduce participants to the basics of self-defense. Participants learn basic verbal and physical strategies for dealing with standing confrontations. Attendees will be given opportunities to practice use of physical and verbal skills in drills and simulated attack scenarios with a male instructor.
Urban Farming and its Benefit on the Community - will explore community gardens and urban farming and how they promote healthy communities. Community gardens can strengthen community bonds, provide food and create recreational opportunities.
Ages and Stages - will provide you with age appropriate information to help you take care of your child. Topics include nutrition, growth and development, safety, common problems and creative play ideas.
Conference Amenities
The conference is FREE of charge and will include: continental breakfast, lunch, language interpretation services, certificates of participation for all participants, including childcare providers and resource families, and limited child care for children ages 3 to 12. Please be aware that children in diapers or pull-ups will not be allowed in child care. Conference registration is required for all participants.
Conference Sponsors
The SPA 8 Regional Council, South Bay Center for Counseling’s Family Support Program, Prevention Initiative Demonstration Project, Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services (Torrance and South County offices), DCFS Kinship Support Division, ConocoPhillips, ExxonMobil, USW Local 8-675, First 5 LA, Partnership for Families, United Way of Greater Los Angeles, SPA 7 Prevention Initiative Demonstration Project, the City of Carson and are excited to sponsor “Together We Will Impact LA”. Information
Information
For more information regarding “Together We Will Impact LA” please call Karina Martin or Rosa Batres at (310) 414-2090 or visit our website at www.sbaycenter.com