Youth Institute Thanksgiving Dinner 2011

This monday the Youth Institute took part in the 2nd Annual Thanksgiving Potluck Dinner at St. Luke's Church in Long Beach. We had an amazing turn out with plenty of food to spare, nobody left with an empty stomach. Bob Cabeza, Vice President, gave a memorable toast sharing his experiences from his recent trip to Cambodia and how fortunate we are to have the blessings we do in America. We were all thankful to be able to enjoy the food provided, which was delicious, especially the home-cooked turkey brought by Bob's niece, Jessica. Enjoy the photos from the event below. 

Photos taken by Leo Salcido, Senior Art Director Change Agent Productions.

Food Drive at Longfellow Elementary

Ali Carias, a 1st grade program leader at Longfellow Elementary, had an idea this holiday season. She wanted to help those in need in the Longfellow Community. Ali and her students decided to collect canned goods and other food items for families who wouldn't be able to afford a Thanksgiving Meal this year.  It was a service learning project that started with one program leader and her twenty students, but when the other program leaders heard about it, they and their students bought into the idea as well. When all was said and done, what started as an idea to help out one Longfellow Family has turned into a program wide initiative that will help over ten families. Each family will receive a box similar to the one pictured above, as well as turkeys from money that was also donated. We would like to thank all of the families who donated to make an impact to our community. Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

A Letter From Cambodia

Dear Friends,
   
    We are in our 5th day in Cambodia and it has been quite an impacting and learning experience both for our Cambodian American staff, Board Members, other staff and the Cambodian YMCA Youth and Children that we are impacting daily.
     First, we spent a day teaching and working with the Street Kids School where we set up a carnival and water rides for over 70 street children from the slums of Phnom Penh. We heard their stories of sorrow such as them not going to school because they have to work selling things in the street to get food for their families or that they are orphaned taking care of their brothers and sisters and struggling daily digging in trash to survive.  Both stories would be tragic if not for this little YMCA and the food that the Y gives as well as teaching the children basic academic skills like reading, writing, English and math. Our staff's hearts went out to the children there. It was incredibly happy and heartfelt but very sad when we left.  
     Now we are doing a five day leadership and digital media training for 34 young adult YMCA members and volunteers who want to make positive change in their communities and help shape the new Cambodia from a Youth perspective. The Long Beach YMCA Cambodian American staff have been profoundly touched by their exposure to the culture, their people and their problems and progress. We are helping them start a small digital media program with the emphasis on developing a micro business in Phnom Penh.
     This is profoundly important global work and all of our Community Development YMCA staff are proud of our Participation and experiences. We will have a profoundly important story to tell in a documentary when we return to the US. I do not think that It is possible for me to capture the profound emotional and cultural impact of our experiences in this e-mail.  

Until then, wish us safe travels and PEACE,  

Bob Cabeza
Vice President of Community Development
YMCA of Greater Long Beach

Cambodian Cultural Exchange Slideshow

View detailed descriptions of photos on Community Development's Facebook Page.