By TR Robertson
The November meeting of the Youth Enrichment Collaborative Services heard a presentation from Cheryl McGlocklin and Joan Fehlen from the Assistance League of North Coast discussing the services they provide to the children and youth of Oceanside, Carlsbad and Vista. The AL is an all-volunteer nonprofit organization “committed to serving the unmet needs of children and youth, with the goal of providing a positive starting point for their path to academic success”. They said students are selected from schools in the area based on schools with the highest poverty levels and forms collected by health techs at the schools.
Cheryl and Joan outlined the variety of programs the Assistance League is involved in to assist families. Footsteps provides shoes, socks and health kits to selected students in elementary schools. Clothing for Children allows children to shop at JC Penney’s to select their own clothing. Emergency clothing provides clothing for student emergencies. AL presents a personal safety program to fourth graders called Home Alone – I’m in Charge where children are instructed about safety measures when they are left alone. Baby Real Deal provides a realistic parenting experience to high school students using 23 infant simulators that help these students understand the realities of caring for a baby. Two programs to assist school reading programs involve giving children books when they complete a school reading program and donating grants to school libraries to replace missing and outdated books. The organization also assists the New Haven Youth Services and children of service members at Camp Pendleton. Last year AL awarded $60,890 to 23 high school students from Carlsbad, Oceanside and Vista. They also will award $10,000 in $500 dollar grants to teachers for enrichment programs in their classrooms. Other programs included providing jackets during “Winter Warmth” and donating to the North County Food Bank’s “Food 4 Kids” program.
All of the programs mentioned require funds in order to keep the programs in operation. Seventy percent of the money raised comes through the Assistance League of North Coast Thrift Shop located at 1830 Oceanside Blvd. The Thrift Shop is open on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 10 am – 3 pm. Donations are welcomed at the shop. The remainder comes from a variety of fund raisers such as the one planned at the Oceanside Art Museum next year. Volunteers and donations are always needed to assist with the AL programs. More information can be found at www.alnc.org or call 760-722-2286, email info@alnc.org.
Monthly YES meetings are held in the Carlsbad Community Center on the third Thursday of each month, from 8:30 – 9:30 am. The mission of YES “is to be instrumental in creating a positive environment and safety net for young people in Carlsbad and the surrounding community to flourish and grow by collaborating with agencies and organizations that help young people thrive and resist negative influences”.
For more information about YES contact Rosemary Eshelman at reshelman@carlsbadusd.net.
