Catholic Charities of Los Angeles, Inc. - Newsletter, November 2002

A Quarterly Newsletter from Catholic Charities - November 2002

At a recent concert of the Blues/Rock ’n Roll Class, professional musician and program instructor, “Gashouse” Dave Shorey, right, directs a performance by Blues/Rock ’n Roll Class participants.

Blues/Rock ’n Roll Class Teaches Youth the Joy of Making Music

Guadalupe Community Center in Canoga Park is the first location of the nationally known Blues Lab after-school music program in the San Fernando Valley. Blues Lab was founded, by blind Florida Blues legend Sir Charles, as a way to supplement dwindling arts programs in public schools. Students come together to form full blues bands and learn to play music that is at the foundation of most modern musical forms as Rock, Hip Hop and Pop.

Rotary Clubs in Woodland Hills and Calabasas support the program by providing funding to purchase instruments and pay for the professional music instruction. During each 10 week, hourly class, boys and girls, ages 10-15, learn basic cords, drum beats, how to keep time, back up a melody and play in a group. At the end of the session, the students present a performance for family and friends.

Offered in conjunction with a full range of programs to help young people develop their individual talents, the Blues/Rock ’n Roll Class is designed to enrich students’ lives through music and provide them with a positive life-enhancing experience in a safe environment. Margaret Pontius, Guadalupe Community Center Coordinator, sees an increase in self-esteem and confidence in the students as they take pride in learning to play an instrument and develop the social skills necessary to function in a peer group.

For more information about youth programs, such as after-school tutoring, sports, folklorico dance classes, music and arts and crafts, contact Guadalupe Community Center at (818)-340-2050 or visit Catholic Charities’ Website at www.CatholicCharitiesLA.org.

El Santo Nino Provides Medical Screenings and Health Awareness

Being raised in poverty puts children at increased risk for a wide range of problems, including impaired health and development. El Santo Nino addresses these needs by providing dental and medical screenings for its community through dental and medical programs provided by Eisner Pediatrics and Eisner Family Medical Center. Eisner provides health information to parents and complete inoculations and checkups for children on-site at El Santo Nino.

If there is a need for dental or medical treatment, the patients are referred to the Eisner Family Medical Center at 1530 S. Olive which provides appropriate care or referrals. The medical and dental teams provide services at El Santo Nino during the first and third week of the month. During these screenings, at least 150 children and parents are given individual attention and recommendations for proper health care.

El Santo Nino has served the South Central Los Angeles Community for more than 50 years. The center offers programs for adults, youth and the elderly.

El Santo Nino is located at 601 East 23rd Street., Los Angeles, CA. Telephone: (213) 748-5246. Visit Catholic Charities’ Website, www.CatholicCharitiesLA.org, for a complete list of programs and services offered at El Santo Nino.