Kimberly Weisz, President, Operation for HOPE Foundation, 858-688-9955
Terra Marroquin, Media Support, San Diego Domestic Violence Council, 619-254-3896
Youth T-Shirt Design Contest to engage community in the prevention and awareness of domestic violence!
HOPE in the Park – Healing, Opportunities, Prevention and Education
Who: Teen Relationship Violence Prevention Committee, San Diego Show Baseball Team, San Diego Community Partners, San Diego County Commission on Children Youth & Families and Operation for HOPE Foundation.
What: Local partnering agencies seeking to raise awareness about domestic violence among youth have come up with a creative way to get the entire community involved. Youth throughout the county are invited to design an image or picture reflecting such concepts as hope, family, respectful and healthy relationships. The designer of the winning image will receive $250.00. To view your invitation to enter Youth t-shirt Contest,click here.
Why: The design will be the image of the Not to Be Forgotten Regional Rallies in observance of National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, in October. Youth are leading the way to preventing intimate partner abuse. The contest is sponsored by Operation for HOPE Foundation, whose mission is to raise awareness about relationship violence and the resources available to prevent and respond to this issue www.operationforhope.org.
When: Contest runs May- June 1, 2010 for San Diegans ages 13-24
JUDGING OF YOUTH T-SHIRT CONTEST
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, March 1, 2010
Media Contacts:
Rebecca Lovelace, Executive Director, Nampa Family Justice Center, 208-475-5700
Kimberly Weisz, President Operation for HOPE Foundation, 858-688-9955
Boise State University Poster Released to Save Lives and Stop Domestic Violence!
Boise State University, Nampa Family Justice Center, Dignitaries and Community to release Awareness Poster Campaign …
Center Helping Domestic Violence Victims and their Children
Who: Boise State University President Bob Kustra, Nampa Mayor Tom Dale, executives of the Nampa Family Justice Center, other city and state officials/dignitaries, onsite and offsite community partners, and Operation for HOPE Foundation.
What: Unveiling of the Center’s Domestic Violence Awareness Poster Campaign, “Not On My Turf!” The poster highlights Boise State University’s Bronco Stadium “THE BLUE” on supporting the Center’s mission and campaign. Hundreds of 11” x 17” posters will be distributed and displayed at schools, boys and girls clubs, non-profit organizations, libraries, business storefronts, and at many other locations to create awareness about the access to help and resources available at the Nampa Family Justice Center.
Why: The Nampa Family Justice Center serves intimate partner violence, dating violence, sexual assault and child abuse victims. This comprehensive and centralized support center provides co-located services for victims and their children including advocates, counselors, safety planning, legal aid, medical providers, law enforcement, prosecutors and social service professionals, www.nampafamilyjusticecenter.org. The poster campaign is a partnership and was created by Operation for HOPE Foundation, whose mission is to raise awareness about relationship violence and
the resources available to prevent and respond to this issue. www.operationforhope.org.
Where: Nampa Family Justice Center, 1305 Third Street, South
When: Thursday, March 25, 2010, 11:00 a.m.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2009
San Diego Chargers’ LaDainian Tomlinson teams up with
Operation for HOPE Foundation and other community partners to provide needy families with a holiday dinner!
8th Annual Giving Thanks
With L.T. & Friends Holiday Program
Chula Vista, Calif. / November 24, 2009—Tomlinson’s Touching Lives Foundation and the Operation for HOPE Foundation have teamed up with LaDainian and LaTorsha Tomlinson to help hurting families in the community who deserve and need a Thanksgiving dinner.
On Tuesday, San Diego Chargers LaDainian Tomlinson and his “teammates”— Wal-Mart, Coast Citrus Fresh Produce, Gatorade and many volunteers; Elite Limousine, Union Bank and 92.5 FM—will distribute 2,100 Thanksgiving dinners. Pre-selected families have been given vouchers to pick up their meals. Families will check in between 6:30 and 7 a.m. at the Chula Vista Wal-Mart, 1150 Broadway. Meals will be distributed from 7 to 10 a.m. Each family will receive a 12- to 16-lb. turkey, canned food items, vegetables, box of stuffing and beverages. Immediately following the Day of Thanks with L.T., 21 selected kids will have the opportunity to shop with him for apparel at Wal-Mart.
The Tomlinson Touching Lives Foundation engages in a number of programs designed to promote education, social and cultural awareness as well as positive self-esteem to enhance the lives less of fortunate families. www.ladainiantomlinson.com
The Operation for HOPE Foundation, which creates national awareness about relationship violence and the resources available to prevent and respond to this issue, is dedicated to partnering with organizations and programs focused on restoring hope to communities in need. www.operationforhope.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Little League World Champions
Poster Released to Save Lives and Stop Relationship Violence!
World Champions Luke Ramirez and Kiko Garcia, California Youth Crisis Line, Operation for HOPE Foundation, San Diego Show Baseball Teams, Dignitaries, San Diego Youth, and Volunteers release Statewide Awareness Poster Campaign …
~ Crisis Line is Helping Youth to be Heard ~
Who:Little League World Champions Luke Ramirez and Kiko Garcia, City of Poway Mayor Don Higginson, Operation for HOPE Foundation, California Coalition for Youth, San Diego Show Baseball Teams, San Diego Youth Services, San Diego Domestic Violence Council, Volunteers and Pre-Selected Youth from Monarch School and Youth Voice.
What: Unveiling of the California Youth Crisis Line Statewide Awareness Poster Campaign, “Are You Safe?” The poster highlights World Series Champions Kiko Garcia and Luke Ramirez on supporting the Crisis Line’s mission and campaign. Thousands of 11” x 17” posters will be distributed and displayed at schools, boys and girls clubs, non-profit organizations, libraries, business storefronts, and at many other locations to create awareness about the access to help and referrals by calling the toll-free confidential helpline. Poster will also be available online to download and print to help with awareness efforts in communities throughout California.
Why: The California Youth Crisis Line is a program of the California Coalition for Youth .The confidential toll-free helpline is available 24 hours a day to assist youth, teens and their families in crisis or in a time of need. Trained staff provides referrals to assist with issues such as family problems, relationship violence, runaway, homelessness, depression, teen pregnancy, substance abuse, suicide and much more. Hurt? We Hear You. www.youthcrisisline.org. The poster campaign is a partnership with the Operation for HOPE Foundation, whose mission is to raise awareness about relationship violence and the resources available to prevent and respond to this issue. www.operationforhope.org
Where:
When: When:Saturday, October 10, 2009 at 2:00 PM during the Operation for HOPE Foundation ‘Take Me Out to the Baseball Game Event’
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Media Contacts:
Gina Coburn, Comm. Director, Office of San Diego City Attorney, 619-533-6181
Lt. Lori Luhnow, Director, San Diego Family Justice Center, 858-533-6010
Kimberly Weisz, President, Operation for HOPE Foundation, 858-688-9955
Tony Hawk Poster Released to Save Lives and Stop Family Violence!
San Diego City Attorney, San Diego Family Justice Center, Dignitaries, Operation for HOPE Foundation and Community to Launch Community Awareness Poster Campaign …
Center Helping Domestic Violence Victims ~ Unveils Awareness Poster to the Community
Who: San Diego City Attorney Jan Goldsmith, San Diego Police Chief William Lansdowne, City and County dignitaries, executives of the San Diego Family Justice Center, Onsite and Offsite SDFJC Community Partners and Operation for HOPE Foundation.
What: Unveiling of the Center’s Family Violence Awareness Poster Campaign, “Get On Board.” The poster highlights Pro Skateboarder Tony Hawk on supporting the Center’s mission and campaign. Thousands of 11” x 17” posters will be distributed and displayed at schools, boys and girls clubs, nonprofit organizations, libraries, business storefronts, and at many other locations to create awareness about the access to help and resources available at the San Diego Family Justice Center.
Why: The San Diego Family Justice Center is a public safety initiative launched by the City of San Diegoto assist victims of family violence. Under one roof, agencies have come together to provide consolidated and coordinated legal, social, and health services to women, men, children, and families in need. Victims can now come to one location to talk to an advocate, get a restraining order, plan for their safety, talk to a police officer, meet with a prosecutor, receive information on shelter, and get help with transportation. The poster campaign was developed in partnership with the Operation for HOPE Foundation, whose mission is to raise awareness about family violence and the resources available to prevent and respond to this issue. www.operationforhope.org.
Where: San Diego Family Justice Center
When: Thursday, July 16, 2:00 p.m. at San Diego Family Justice Center,
707 Broadway, Suite 700 in San Diego
SAN DIEGO FAMILY JUSTICE CENTER AWARENESS POSTER WITH PRO SKATEBOARDER TONY HAWK DISTRIBUTED BY VOLUNTEERS TO HELP SAVE LIVES IN SAN DIEGO!
On June 16, 2009, after the 2:00 p.m. unveiling of the poster, Family Justice Center volunteers and supporters will begin distributing the posters across San Diego. Youth volunteers will be showing their support by wearing purple San Diego Family Justice Center t-shirts and skateboard attire. Tony Hawk has donated a signed skateboard deck to be raffled and given to one lucky winner at the release of the poster. Volunteers will be walking door to door in downtown San Diego asking for businesses to display the poster in their storefronts.
Tony Hawk and the entire Family Justice Center team are calling on you to get involved and to help raise awareness about the help and hope available at San Diego Family Justice Center. Volunteers and interested members of the public are invited to the poster unveiling. All will be welcome!
We encourage the public to learn more about the San Diego Family Justice Center’s on-site and off-site partnerships. It’s easy to access clear information on becoming a volunteer at the Center, making a donation to the Center or helping to distribute posters.
###
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Media Contacts:
Amy Dilworth, Executive Director, Knoxville Family Justice Center, 865-215-6868
Kimberly Weisz, President, Operation for HOPE Foundation, 858-688-9955
Coach Pat Summitt Poster Released to Save Lives and Stop Family Violence!
Coach Pat Summitt, Knoxville Family Justice Center, University of Tennessee,
Dignitaries and Community to Launch Awareness Poster Campaign …
Center Helping Domestic Violence Victims ~ Unveils Awareness Poster to the Community
Who: Coach Pat Summitt, City and County dignitaries, executives of the Knoxville Family Justice Center, Knoxville Police Chief Sterling Owen, University of Tennessee staff and Operation for HOPE Foundation.
What: Unveiling of the Center’s Family Violence Awareness Poster Campaign, “Ending Family Violence = VICTORY.” The poster highlights University of Tennessee Head Coach of Women’s Basketball Coach Pat Summitt on supporting the Center’s mission and campaign. Thousands of 11” x 17” posters will be distributed and displayed at schools, boys and girls clubs, nonprofit organizations, libraries, business storefronts, and at many other locations to create awareness about the access to help and resources available at the Knoxville Family Justice Center.One Call to Make, One Place to Go.
Why: The Knoxville Family Justice Center serves domestic violence and sexual assault victims. This comprehensive support center provides co-located services for victims and their children including prosecutors, detectives, clergy and social service professionals. Family Justice Centers are being replicated across America and around the world. www.familyjusticecenter.org. The poster campaign is a partnership with the Operation for HOPE Foundation, whose mission is to raise awareness about family violence and the resources available to prevent and respond to this issue. www.operationforhope.org
Where: Knoxville Family Justice Center
When: Thursday, June 18, 11:30 a.m. at Knoxville Family Justice Center,
400 Harriet Tubman Street in Knoxville
KNOXVILLE AWARENESS POSTER WITH UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE HEAD COACH OF WOMEN’S BASKETBALL PAT SUMMITT DISTRIBUTED BY VOLUNTEERS TO HELP SAVE LIVES IN KNOXVILLE!
On June 18, 2009, after the 11:30 a.m. unveiling of the new poster, Family Justice Center volunteers and supporters will begin distributing the posters across Knoxville. Members of the public can go to the Knoxville Family Justice Center to get a poster and post it in a public place.
Coach Pat Summitt and the entire Family Justice Center team are calling on you to get involved and to help raise awareness about the help and hope available at Knoxville Family Justice Center. Volunteers and interested members of the public are welcome and invited to attend the poster unveiling. We welcome the public to learn more about the Knoxville Family Justice Center’s on-site and off-site partnerships and to help distribute posters throughout the community.
###
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contacts: Kimberly Weisz, President, Operation for HOPE Foundation: 858-688-9955 Helice Bridges: Founder & CEO, Difference Makers International: 760-687-5957 Captain Guy Swanger: Director, San Diego Family Justice Center: 619-533-6020
“Standing Strong Together”
Blue Ribbon Community Building and Leadership Training
Opportunity will change the lives of 5,000 students and teachers from
Southwest High School and neighboring schools.
Training will extend to honoring and creating positive social change to
40,000 individuals throughout the San Diego region.
Southwest High School, San Diego, February 3, 2009—Community partners are joining together to support the vision of Difference Makers International and the principals at Southwest High School. On Saturday, February 7, from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Operation for HOPE Foundation, San Diego Family Justice Center, Turning the Hearts Center, Caring Helpers Leadership Training, Gibson Communications Group, Modest Media and Body Feng Shui will partner to Give Kids a Voice for Positive Social Change. Four hundred pre-selected students will receive leadership training that they’ll share with 5,000 peers—ultimately reaching out to benefit a community of some 40,000 individuals.
Difference Makers Internationalis as nonprofit educational organization. The Blue Ribbon One Minute Acknowledgement Ceremony has directly impacted more than 30 million people from around the world. Among other benefits, the Ceremony has helped to reduce the incidence of teen suicide, eradicate bullying, build positive relationships, inspire productivity, and encourage clear expressions of appreciation, respect and love for others.
As a part of the leadership training, the 400 students will make a strong stand against family violence in their community by posting a San Diego Family Justice Center Awareness Poster—depicting Pro Skateboarder Tony Hawk as a nonviolence role model—in a classroom. The students will in turn help raise awareness about the help and hope available atFamily Justice Centers in the San Diego region.
TheSan Diego Family Justice Centerserves victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. This comprehensive support center provides co-located services for victims and their children, which include prosecutors, detectives, clergy and social-service professionals. The poster campaign was developed in partnership with theOperation for HOPE Foundation, whose mission is to raise awareness about family violence and the resources available to prevent and respond to this issue. Voices End Violence, Give the Gift of HOPE.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MONDAY, December 1, 2008
Media Contacts:
Debbie Comstock, Director East County Family Justice Center, 619-871-6947
Kimberly Weisz, President Operation for HOPE Foundation, 858-688-9955
Tony Hawk Poster Released to Save Lives and Stop the Violence!
Grand Opening of the East County Family Justice Center
&
Unveiling of Awareness Poster Campaign
Who: San Diego County Supervisor Dianne Jacob, San Diego District Attorney Bonnie M. Dumanis, San Diego County Sherriff Bill Kolender, other officials/dignitaries from the East County Family Justice Center, Blue Shield Against Violence, California Endowment, Alliance Healthcare Foundation, Parker Foundation, the Center for Community Solutions, Operation for HOPE Foundation, and the La Mesa Soroptimist Club.
What: Unveiling of the Center’s Domestic Violence Awareness Poster Campaign, “Get on Board.” The poster highlights Pro Skateboarders Tony Hawksupporting the Center’s mission and campaign. Hawk is committed to calling attention to the issues of domestic violence and believes he can use his influence to make a difference in the community. Thousands of 11” x 17” posters will be distributed and displayed at schools, boys and girls clubs, nonprofit organizations, libraries, business storefronts, and at many other locations to create awareness about the help and resources available at the East County Family Justice Center.
Background: After an 18-month planning process led by the San Diego County District Attorney's Office, the East County Family Justice Center is holding its grand opening to provide the first “one stop shop” service center for victims of domestic violence in the East County. More than 40 agencies participated in the comprehensive planning. The ECFJC will serve victims of domestic violence and sexual assault by providing law enforcement, civil legal services, advocacy and safety planning services, and a variety of other services in a single location. It is the third center of its kind to open in San Diego County. The first opened in downtown San Diego in 2002; the second opened in 2004 in the North County. The San Diego FJC model is now being replicated across the United States and around the world (www.familyjusticecenter.org). The poster campaign was developed in partnership with the Operation for HOPE Foundation, whose mission is to raise awareness about family violence and the resources available to prevent and respond to this issue. (www.operationforhope.org).
Where: East County Family Justice Center, 131 Avocado Avenue in El Cajon
When: Thursday, December 11, 2008, 10 a.m. at the Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
EAST COUNTY FAMILY JUSTICE CENTER AWARENESS POSTER WITH
PRO SKATEBOARDER TONY HAWK DISTRIBUTED
BY VOLUNTEERS TO HELP SAVE LIVES IN SAN DIEGO!
On December 11, 2008, after the 10 a.m. unveiling of the new poster, ECFJC volunteers and supporters will begin distributing the posters across San Diego. Members of the public can go to any East County Family Justice Center to get a poster and post it in a public place.
Tony Hawk and the entire Family Justice Center team are calling on you to get involved and to help raise awareness about the help and hope available at Family Justice Centers in the San Diego region. Volunteers and interested members of the public are welcome and invited to the poster unveiling. We welcome the public to learn more about the East County Family Justice Center’s on-site and off-site partnerships and to help distribute posters throughout the community.
###
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FRIDAY, November 21, 2008
Media Contacts: Kimberly Weisz, Operation for HOPE Foundation, 858-688-9955
San Diego Chargers Linebacker Matt Wilhelm
Teams Up with Youth and Monarch School
for a Night Out on the Town!
San Diego, CA —On Monday, November 24, nine children from Monarch School and one child from Children’s Hospital Oncology will join San Diego Chargers linebacker Matt Wilhelm for an evening out on the town. The night will include dinner at one of downtown San Diego’s best seafood restaurants, Oceanaire. In preparation, the kids will learn helpful hints on table manners. This once in a lifetime dining experience will be a memory to cherish for years to come. The night will be filled with delicious food and one-on-one conversation with Matt Wilhelm.
Matt believes by reaching out to youth in San Diego he can make a difference. This holiday season and throughout the year, Matt frequents public schools and speaks to the youth about good eating habits and the high rate of childhood obesity. Matt is a role model on and off the football field. This holiday season Matt and many community partners are teaming up with teammate LaDainian Tomlinson for the 7th Annual Giving Thanks With L.T. & Friends Holiday Program, giving 2100 Thanksgiving dinners to families in need.
Founded in 1988, Monarch School—along with its committed team of teachers, administrators, and volunteers—is dedicated to providing homeless and at-risk children with an accredited education while caring for their basic needs such as healthcare, food, clothing and personal hygiene. Today, more than 100 kids between the ages of 7 and 18 are enrolled at Monarch School. (www.monarchschools.org)
The Hematology/Oncology Care Center at Rady Children's Hospital is the largest pediatric cancer care facility in San Diego and Imperial Counties. A team of highly skilled professionals ensures that families receive the resources they need to cope when a child is diagnosed with cancer. (www.chsd.org)
The mission of the Operation for HOPE Foundation is to raise awareness about family violence and the resources available to prevent and respond to this issue (www.operationforhope.org)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MONDAY, November 17, 2008
Media Contacts:
Mary Claire Landry, Director New Orleans Family Justice Center, 504-388-9281
Kimberly Weisz, President Operation for HOPE Foundation, 858-688-9955
David West Poster Released to Save Lives and Stop the Violence!
New Orleans Family Justice Center, New Orleans Hornets, Dignitaries to release
NBA’s New Orleans Hornets’ All-Star David West Poster…
Center Helping Domestic Violence Victims ~ Unveils Awareness Poster
Who: City, State and Federal officials/dignitaries, executives of the New Orleans Family Justice Center, the U.S. Attorney's Office, on Violence Against Women, U.S. Department of Justice, Family Justice Center Alliance, Safety Net Project, National Network to End Domestic Violence.
What: Unveiling of the Center’s Domestic Violence Awareness Poster Campaign, “Don’t Foul Out!” The poster highlights New Orleans’ Hornets All-Star David West on supporting the Center’s mission and campaign. West is committed to calling attention to the issues of domestic violence and believes he can use his influence to make a difference in the community. Thousands of 11” x 17” posters will be distributed and displayedat schools, boys and girls clubs, non-profit organizations, libraries, business storefronts, and at many other locations to create awareness about the help and resources available at the New Orleans Family Justice Center.
Why: The New Orleans Family Justice Center serves victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. This comprehensive support center provides co-located services for victims and their children including prosecutors, detectives, clergy and social service professionals. Family Justice Centers are being replicated across America and around the world (www.familyjusticecenter.org). The poster campaign is a partnership with the Operation for HOPE Foundation, whose mission is to raise awareness about family violence and the resources available to prevent and respond to this issue (www.operationforhope.org).
Where: Hilton New Orleans Riverside, Two Poydras Street, New Orleans, LA
When: Tuesday, November 18, 2008, 9:00 a.m. during the New Orleans Promising Practice Conference.
Domestic Violence Survivors
Graduate from Innovative Program
Women’s Leadership Institute gives participants
skills to be successful at work and in life
( SAN DIEGO) Women who have escaped the terror of domestic violence have overcome challenges most of us can’t imagine. Six women who graduated from the Speak for Success Women’s Leadership Institute on Saturday, March 15, 2008 have successfully met even more challenges in a pilot program designed to help them create a successful, positive life for themselves and their children.
Graduation ceremonies for the first Women’s Leadership Institute program were underwritten and hosted by Sempra Energy Resources.
The participants in the program were nominated by their program or case manager to be considered for the program. All of them have been clients of or have received services from the YWCA of San Diego County or the Family Justice Center. Several of the graduates are currently residents in shelters and transitional housing provided by the YWCA.
“Women who flee domestic violence situations often have no money and minimal job skills,” says Casey Gwinn, chief executive officer of the YWCA of San Diego County. "Our programs give women and their families the support services they need to escape their violent living situation. Now with the Women’s Leadership Institute, we can take our support to the next level and insure that these women have the tools they need when they’re on their own to take care of themselves and their families by being successful in the workplace, and in life.”
The vision behind the Women’s Leadership Institute is to give women the tools, support, and confidence to:
Set and achieve personal and career goals
Be inspiring role models for their families and women everywhere
Stand up and speak out as advocates for the prevention of domestic violence and other issues
Start their own businesses
Become leaders in their communities, corporations and non-profit organizations
Speak for Success Women's Leadership Institute is proud of its partnerships with the YWCA of San Diego County, Family Justice Center Alliance VOICES, Operation for Hope Foundation, National University, San Diego City Councilman, Jim Madaffer, Dress for Success San Diego, and Sempra Energy Resources.
San Diego, Calif.—Many of us know LaDainian Tomlinson because of his premier accomplishments on the playing field. But do all of us know how he also makes a huge impact in the lives of others? This San Diego Charger’s foundation, Touching Lives, is offering 19 homeless children from the YWCA Cortez Hill Family Center the opportunity of a lifetime! The children will experience the unexpected and unimaginable by attending the team’s opening home game at Qualcomm Stadium on September 9, against the Chicago Bears.
Tomlinson’s 21 Club provides these children with the opportunity to attend the game and meet with LaDainian afterwards. Each child who participates has field side seats, receives a
T-shirt, and is given a coupon for a hot dog and beverage during the game. After the game, the children will board a bus donated by Goldfield Stage and travel to Dave & Buster’s for dinner.
The 21 Club is designed to promote positive self-esteem, academic and social achievement, literacy, and genuine goodwill. LaDainian strongly believes that such interaction with a positive role model/athlete instills confidence in children and helps them believe that dreams do come true if you work hard and continue to dream.
LaDainian Tomlinson is widely acknowledged as the NFL’s best currently active player. Last season he scored 31 touchdowns and 186 points. Tomlinson won four trophies at the 2007 ESPY Awards, including Male Athlete of the Year!
Operated by the YWCA of San Diego County, Cortez Hill provides a full range of services to homeless families, including temporary housing for up to 120 days. The Center can serve 150 family members. It has been at capacity since opening in 2002.
For more information about the YWCA of San Diego County, visit www.ywcasandiego.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
Kimberly Weisz, President, Operation for HOPE, 858.688.9955
~
San Diego Charger Michael Turner (#33) to give 33 children
‘an unforgettable lunch hour and strong message about the importance of school’ ~
Turner, Give Back to Impact Foundation and Wal-Mart reach out to needy children in the community
Chula Vista, Calif.—On Friday, Aug. 31, a group of homeless children from the YWCA of San Diego County - Cortez Hill Family Center will board a bus donated by Sun Diego and travel to the Chula Vista Wal-Mart to meet San Diego Charger Michael Turner. There the children will hear Michael’s comments about the value and importance of school. Next, kids and chaperones will have lunch. After lunch each child will be given a $100 Wal-Mart gift card. The children will break up into groups and Michael will spend time with each group, helping participants select store items for purchase with their free gift cards! Finally, the YWCA kids will return to school. It will be a day to laugh, a day to enjoy, a day not to be forgotten!
Michael Turner is a running back for the San Diego Chargers, known as “Turner the Burner.” Last season, he ran for 502 yards on 80 carries for a strong 6.3-yard average. Turner was born in North Chicago and attended Northern Illinois University. He believes in working hard and dedicating himself to impacting the world on and off the playing field.
Operated by the YWCA of San Diego County, Cortez Hill provides a full range of services to homeless families, including temporary housing for up to 120 days. The Center can serve 150 family members. It has been at capacity since opening in 2002.
LT touches young lives
Monday, Apr 23, 2007
by Casey Pearce, Chargers.com
Posted to the Operation for HOPE Auxiliary Web site with permission from the Chargers
Eleven-year old San Diegan Austin Martinez went to bed Friday night praying for rain, just not too much.
“He had a baseball game scheduled for (Saturday) morning and I told him that he had to go if it wasn’t rained out,” said Martinez’s mother Tia. “He really wanted to go to LT’s football camp, so he was hoping for enough rain to cancel his baseball game but leave things nice enough for the camp to go on. Like everyone in San Diego, Austin adores LT. It’s a special day for him and all the kids to get to learn from the best.”
Martinez got his wish. While showers interrupted LaDainian Tomlinson’s annual charity golf outing Friday afternoon, the rain subsided long enough Saturday morning for he and approximately 250 other young athletes to enjoy “Camp LT,” the annual skills clinic that the reigning NFL MVP conducts each season. The camp was held at San Diego’s Hoover High School and gave those involved an opportunity to learn about both football and life.
“The camp has been a great way to get the kids out, work with them and encourage them,” Tomlinson said. “It’s not all about football. We make sure to spend time talking about studying hard and making good decisions. It’s important that they hear about those things as well. We don’t want them to think about football before school.”
Campers spent the morning going through nine 15-minute stations, each facilitated by an athlete skilled in that position. At each station, kids were taught what the position is and what players do in that position.
“I hope they learned something about football,” Tomlinson said. “We teach them basic fundamentals – how to carry the ball the proper way, how to catch it, how to back-pedal and things like that. We want them to come away with a better understanding of what it takes to be a successful football player.”
Volunteer coaches included current Chargers Jacques Cesaire and Shawne Merriman as well as former Bolts Vencie Glenn, Willie Buchanon and Darren Carrington. Members of the Hoover and Crawford High School football staffs and area Pop Warner coaches volunteered as well.
Thanks in large part to numerous sponsors, the camp operates at no cost to the young athletes. The “Touching Lives Foundation” works with organizations such as the Boys and Girls Clubs, Camp Hope, Children’s Hospital, San Diego Youth and Community Services, the Jackie Robinson YMCA and the Family Justice Center to identify young people who could best benefit from the camp.
Saturday’s camp included three teenagers from Teen Choices who were physically unable to participate in the camp but still got to enjoy the festivities. Three leukemia patients from the Naval Medical Center made their way to the sidelines and had their spirits lifted by LT, Cesaire and Merriman.
“To see the way they smiled when I got to meet them, that was one of the best parts of the day,” Tomlinson said. “Those guys are tough. It was great to have them out here.”
Tomlinson will also host two camps this summer in Texas. “Camp L.T.” will be held in Fort Worth from June 25-27 and in Waco starting June 28-July 1.
“Camp L.T.” is one of the many operations of the Tomlinson’s Touching Lives Foundation. The organization is also committed to education through the “L.T. School is Cool Scholarship Program.” Tomlinson annually donates school supplies to local youth in need of assistance. Through “L.T.’s 21 Club,” Tomlinson purchases 30 tickets to each Chargers home game so that a group of local kids can attend the game and meet the All-Pro back. As part of “Giving Thanks With L.T.”, Tomlinson distributes 1,400 Thanksgiving Dinners to needy families from San Diego County the Tuesday before Thanksgiving. He also gives away roughly 1,500 toys to patients at San Diego’s Children’s Hospital and Health Center during the Christmas season.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, November 20, 2006
LaDainian’s Tomlinson’s Touching Lives Foundation Teams Up with Camp HOPE and Monarch School
December 10, 2006—Sometimes unexpected, exciting and even unimaginable events can have a huge impact on a child’s life. As a highly regarded and recognizable sports figure, the San Diego Chargers’ LaDainian Tomlinson is giving 21 kids the opportunity to attend the team’s Dec. 10 home game against the Denver Broncos. At-risk kids from the community were hand selected by professionals for this wonderful experience.
Tomlinson’s 21 Club provides these children with the opportunity to attend the game and meet with LaDainian afterwards. Each child who participates has field side seats, receives a T-shirt, and is given a coupon for a free hot dog and beverage during the game. The 21 Club is designed to promote positive self-esteem, academic and social achievement, literacy and genuine goodwill. LaDainian strongly believes that such interaction with a positive role model/athlete instills confidence in children and helps them believe that dreams do come true if you work hard and continue to dream. Children from Camp HOPE and Monarch School will participate.
ORIGINS. In developing the vision for the San Diego Family Justice Center, the Center’s planners asked two very important questions: (1) Where does the healing from family violence occur? and (2) Where is the hope for victims and their children? The answer to both questions was and is Camp HOPE—a unique facility located at Lake Sutherland, a City of San Diego-owned reservoir nestled in the mountains of eastern San Diego County.
No other camp in San Diego County targets this special group of children. In fact, there are only a handful of camps in the nation whose specific purpose is to help heal abused children through exciting recreational and therapeutic activities like wake boarding, water skiing, tubing, hiking, fishing, art therapy, drama and music. The bottom line: Children experience hope and healing at Camp HOPE.
Founded in 1988, Monarch School—along with its committed team of teachers, administrators and volunteers—is dedicated to providing homeless and at-risk children with an accredited education while caring for their basic needs such as healthcare, food, clothing and personal hygiene. Today, more than 100 kids between the ages of 7 and 18 are enrolled at Monarch School.
