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World Vision has been helping children to achieve their God-given potential in the Los Angeles area for more than 20 years by building and strengthening community-based ministries. Tutoring, housing assistance, job training programs and providing basic have been integral to building strong communities.
Vision Youth
Vision L.A. will launch its Vision Youth program in 2002. At the center of Vision Youth are the Youth Outreach Workers (YOWs), hired by local churches with the support of World Vision. They are committed, Christian adults from the community who have walked the same walk as the children they serve. The YOW leads and coordinates tutoring programs for young children and mentoring programs for teens as well as mobilizes volunteers in outreach to their community. Vision L.A. already has the tutoring component, which provides caring adults to work with elementary students who struggle academically, giving them scholastic and spiritual nourishment.
The Storehouse
The Storehouse not only provides building, clothing, books, toiletries, blankets and other necessities to children and families in need, it offers parents the tools they need to help support their families. The Second Start program offers professional clothing for men and women who are looking for jobs, and the Forklift Training Program, which gives graduates marketable skills.
The Storehouse also keeps the shelves at the Kids in Need Resource Center filled. The center is a place for teachers and principals to “shop” for much-needed school supplies. Schools that serve predominantly children from low-income families qualify to stock up on everything from books, pencils, pens, paper, art supplies, binders, backpacks and more. Teachers no longer have to spend their own money on supplies, and their students don’t have to go without these valuable learning tools.
Tools for Transformation
Working with churches and faith-based organizations individually or through networks, Vision L.A. helps train local leaders and build the framework to support their visions for their communities. Vision L.A. offers consultation, help setting program goals, grant administration and program review as well as training that gives these and other tools to pastors and church leaders.
This focus on networking has resulted in partnerships in the Hispanic and Indochinese church communities as well as the Housing Loan Fund, which helps community groups ensure families have access to quality, affordable housing. |