Just a word for those that can't always travel to far off places and still want to be of help locally. I work in a middle school in south central los angeles, Carver ms, was just in the news because of the shooting at a bus stop after school last month. The five kids that were are fine, thank God, and three adults also, I believe. It was gang related. Here's what we need help with in south LA.
1. BIg brothers and big sisters cannot seem to get volunteers to that area. ??????? Take a kid under your wing, take them to the beach, to the museum, out to lunch, do a craft, something. I can recommend some personally who are great kids that just need guidence and attention.
2. volunteers at a school. we are short on parents. we have too many kids and not enough adults, or tired adults, or what have you.
3. Wood craft rangers pays people to do after school arts and sports with kids in middle school. (I do mosaics).
4. Come help facilitate a science fair, or art project with a class, etc. this can be a one time deal for a week or few weeks.
5. Mural a wall with kids on a weekend.
6. plant a garden with kids.
7. your idea here.

I can say that I regularly hear all the stereotypes about "inner city kids" and really, they are just kids. Some of them are harder to reach than others because they are jaded. Niceness goes a LONG way. Some of them are perfect and don't need help. BUt this community, and others, needs the attention of the macro culture, at least be recognized as a neighborhood of hard working, creative, ingenuitive and fun people, and amazing kids who are largely bored out of their friggin minds and eager to do something.

I have direct ways people can help, and not just at my school, and not just in south la. Any public school needs help, i guarantee it.
If you have any other ideas and want to contact me for how to go about getting it done, please contact me.
www.bbbs.org/site/c.diJK...DB6/Home.htm the link for big brothers big sisters
Out ward bound LA, obla, does hiking and packing with at risk youth. (see my tribe page). they pay. They are spot on and hit the sieras and even hawaii.
There's more, but that's it for now.

Thanks,
Sonja