Catholic Charities of Los Angeles, Inc.

ADESTE

• The Archdiocese Elementary School Time Enrichment (ADESTE) program provides quality, safe and affordable before-and-after-school care for children of working parents in Los Angeles, Ventura and Santa Barbara counties.At 28 Catholic school sites and Catholic Charities’ Community Service Centers, and in one public school, children do their homework, play, and work on arts/crafts projects under the supervision of one teacher per 14 children.

• In the past year, 1,210 school children attended ADESTE programs. Many sites also offer affordable summer camps for children ages 5 to 13. Catholic Charities provides these services for children to enhance their social, physical, mental and emotional development needs. 90-95% of parents indicated overall satisfaction with the quality of the program.

At the ADESTE program at El Santo Nino Community Center, children solve puzzles in small groups, learning to cooperate and share.

• "Maria," an 8-year-old, lives in an apartment with her mother and grandmother. Gang activity in her neighborhood does not make it safe for Maria to play outside. Her mother placed her in the ADESTE program, because she considered it "a safe, nurturing environment."

A game of "Monopoly" can be a lesson for young children, enhancing their social, mental and emotional development.

ADESTE teachers are trained in early childhood education and child development. They structure programs to serve the needs of children, engaging their interests, special talents, and individual style.

"It is satisfying to know that my sons are safe and busy while I am at work. My boys enjoy coming to ADESTE so much that sometimes they don’t want me or my wife to pick them up early. My kids have been in ADESTE for 3 years."

[Parent, San Pedro Region ADESTE program]

Catholic Youth Organization

• The Catholic Youth Organization (CYO) program coordinates interscholastic athletics programs for 160 Catholic parochial elementary schools in Los Angeles County. CYO activities provide an outlet for a youth’s physical energy while strengthening his or her spiritual and social values. It is one of the largest privately funded athletics programs for elementary schools. • Through participation in the CYO program, children learn at an early age the benefits of working cooperatively as a team. The program emphasizes the importance of self-discipline, sportsmanship, team spirit, respect and responsibility.
• During the school year, nearly 400 scheduled athletic events take place each week throughout Los Angeles County, under the supervision of 1,500 volunteers, certified as coaches, officials, scorekeepers and site supervisors. Programs are offered in Flag Football (Boys & Girls), Volleyball (Boys & Girls), Basketball (Boys & Girls), Track & Field (Boys & Girls), Girls Softball and Girls Cheerleading & Songleading Competition.	The finals of the Long Jump Competition at the CYO Track and Field Meet drew a crowd of spectators.

The CYO Track and Field Meet was held at St. John Bosco High School in Bellflower. Over 800 students from 80 schools participated in a variety of events, including relay races.

Girls’ Varsity Basketball League games are held in January and February each year. Two teams played at Sts. Felicitas and Perpetua School in San Marino.

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