Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Fun Volunteer Opportunity!

After school open hours started this week and it has been a huge success so far! We are always looking for more volunteers to come consistently to mentor and play with the children from our neighborhood. We have a ping pong table, Foosball, guitars, a piano and lots of crafts. The Community Center will be open Monday through Friday from 3 to 5 p.m. Let us know if you want to help out!

Thursday, January 21, 2010

Community Outreach Day: A Success

--Written by guest poster Raquel Quintana--

Yesterday morning I helped Sully Bryan (the Hispanic Outreach Coordinator at United Way of Utah County) with one of the service projects for the Martin Luther King Community Outreach Day. About 15 community volunteers and I read books to about 35 children and their parents in the South Franklin Community Center. We then helped them to create props and act out little plays about the story-line. After each of the skits had been created and performed, I taught all the kids and their parents (in English and Spanish) how each of these stories/skits teaches a valuable moral that Martin Luther King had emphasized in his life. He was such a good leader and wonderful example of courage, persistence, brotherhood, following your dreams, the power of one, etc.

The books we used for the activity were "Beauty and the Beast" (never judge a book by it's cover...beauty is hidden in every person but sometimes it takes love to bring it out), "Where the Wild Things Are" (do not be afraid of the unknown...follow your dreams), "Jackie Robinson" (even when you feel like the whole world is against you, do what your heart longs for..never let anybody tell you you can't), "The Story of the Wright Brothers" (if at first you don't succeed, try and try again...never give up and shoot for the skies), and "Horton Hears a Who" (this is a really great Dr. Seuss classic that teaches about the value of all creatures...no mater how small or insignificant some may seem, each human being is of great value and deserves to be happy and protected...it also teaches about the power that a single person can have to make a difference for good.)

This was such a wonderful activity. Aside from being reminded of these important lessons for my life, I also realized how truly important and valuable reading can be for children. Youth and children who are taught and inspired to read good books will very likely grow up to be quite bright and influential. Books teach us such valuable lessons and can strengthen our character in miraculous ways. At the end of the activity, I encouraged each of those children and their parents to take those lessons and apply them in their day-to-day lives. We should try everyday to be just a little better than the day before.
Performing a skit

BYU volunteer making props with the kids


The children used their creativity to build an imaginary airplane for one of their skits

All of the volunteers

Thursday, January 14, 2010

Come Celebrate Martin Luther King Day!

Join us for a day of fun to commemorate the life of Martin Luther King Jr. The activity will be held at the South Franklin Community Center at 9:30 a.m. on January 18. The activities will include book reading, a Children's Reader Theatre, refreshments and prizes for the kids. Bring your children and watch as they create their own costumes and props and perform stories such as Where the Wild Things Are and Beauty and the Beast.
If you would like to volunteer to participate in this activity, contact Sully at 801-691-5314.


Celebra el Dia de Martin Luther King
Acompáñenos para un buen tiempo

Cuando: 9:30 am Lunes 18 de Enero

Donde: Centro Comunitario de South Franklin

Actividades: Teatro de niños, cada nino va a poder crear su propio traje y accesorios. Los libros incluyen La Bella y la Bestia, y Donde viven los monstrous.


Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Back to School

After the holiday break we must all face the reality of going back to school and back to normal life. Luckily, the Community Center in the South Franklin neighborhood is trying to make the transition easier for you and your families. Every Tuesday and Thursday night, the Community Center offers tutoring services. Volunteers from Our TEAMS come give of their time every week and help kids with their homework or any subject that the children may be struggling with. From reading to math, the tutors are a great help to the kids in the area. Tutoring is offered Tuesday and Thursday nights at 7:00 p.m. We are also always looking for volunteers to help with tutoring or any of the other classes that we offer. If you are interested in volunteering please call 801-691-5295 or email us at sfccboulders@hotmail.com

A volunteer tutor helping a South Franklin resident with her homework.

The Community Center is also happy to announce that they are offering many fun new classes for the new year. Going back to school and real life doesn't have to be all work, it can be lots of fun too. Here is a list of the new and exciting classes! Anyone is welcome, feel free to come check one out!

Personal Finance Class- Wednesdays at 7pm
Crocheting Class- Fridays at 11am
Résumé Class- Fridays at 12pm
After School Open Hours– Mon-Fri 3-5pm
Tiny Tunes- Wednesdays at 10:30am

For more information please call 801-691-5295 or email us at sfccboulders@hotmail.com

Class members are excited to learn