News | Article
from San Bernardino Sun
Mona Shadia, Staff Writer
Volunteers start beautification
project at Victoria Elementary
Redlands (May 24, 2007) - The Inland Empire United Way
knows no boundaries when it comes to helping others. Hands On
Inland Empire is a program offered by Inland Empire United Way
to get individuals involved in improving their own or
neighboring communities. The program specifically targets local
schools in need of a makeover to make its environment friendly
for its students.
"This program for this United Way was chosen because it makes
an impact on the community," said Jan Stephens, community
resource manager for Hands On Inland Empire of Inland Empire
United Way. "You can put your hands on a paint brush, on a
shovel, we just help manage this project to help volunteers come
out in the community and make a difference."
And without the volunteers, this program could not be
possible, Stephens said. Inland Empire United Way reaches out to
everyone, simply from individuals and college students to
service clubs and their members.
The projects coordinated by Hands On are organized to be done
on the same day in the community, so schools throughout the
Inland Empire get help the same day. This year, members from the
community and the service clubs are helping several schools in
the Inland Empire on June 9.
Among them is Victoria Elementary School in the Redlands
Unified School District and the Yucaipa High School Ninth Grade
Campus in the Yucaipa-Calimesa Joint Unified School District.
The Highland Kiwanis Club, along with the Loma Linda Valley
Kiwanis Club, are working to build a garden in Victoria
Elementary School.
Though Victoria Elementary is part of the Redlands Unified
School District, the school is located in San Bernardino. The
school that has a high population of low-income students is
recognized by the state as a Peace Builder School, an honor only
given to about 275 of schools in California.
"We have an extremely high level of students on free- and
reduced-lunch, but that doesn't keep them from achieving," said
Angela Neuhaus, principal of Victoria Elementary School. "We do
have gangs around and our graffiti rate has been low.
Unfortunately, we had raid from across the school, but the
police keeps us safe here, and we have a good relationship.”
The school was chosen by the Inland Empire United Way to
participate in Hands on Inland Empire. With the help of the many
volunteers, Victoria Elementary will soon see eight murals and
all are designed to tie in with peace-building, Stephens said.
A track will also be built for the students to a have a place
to exercise, a peaceful playground and of course the new garden.
"They're recognized in the state for being one of the premier
schools to incorporate this in their curriculum," Stephens said.
"So when we do these murals, we're tying in the peaceful
playground theme."
And as for the Yucaipa High School Ninth Grade Campus, they
found the employees of Sempra Gas Company that will help
beautify their school. Among the projects at the school are the
painting of seven murals depicting the history and culture of
the school, which is the oldest in the district. The basketball
courts will also be revitalized, among other tasks set to
beautify and brighten the school.
"We're able to get some things accomplished that we otherwise
would not be able to do," said Sherry Smith, principal of
Yuciapa High School Ninth Grade Campus. "I was thrilled to be
chosen, it's a fabulous opportunity to bring such a worthy cause
and get our community involved. There's going to be many
students, parents and staff members who will be working along
side the United Way volunteers."
Stephens said she hopes to see more volunteers join on June 9
to help all the schools reach their goals.
"We as Hands On Inland Empire, have a Web site that people
can go to and look for projects to volunteer in the community,"
Stephens said. "We have close to 70 programs and volunteers can
go on to find ways to help."
Mona Shadia can be reached at
mona.shadia@sbsun.com or at
(909) 386-3873.
< view all news
|
