18-0821_CREER COMUNIDAD Y FAMILIA_E10_Correspondence8/21/2018
TO: San Juan Capistrano City Council E10
FROM: Mary D, Retired President, SJC Friends ofthe Library & CREER Volunteer
SUBJ: CREER Lease Renewal
DATE: August 21, 2018
I am writing in support of renewing CREER's lease and recommend it be renewed forfive years instead oftwo if possible.
CREER Comunidad y Familia is a volunteer, grassroots community organization. The number of children, youth and
families served by CREER's combined programs is about 15,000 per year.
CREER develops positive programs to guide our youth in productive, self-sufficient life paths. It has received multiple
community awards as one of the most effective providers of educational programs in town, in addition to parent
education, community/youth leadership and gang prevention programs for at risk children and under-served families in
South Orange County.
CREER does so in these small, cramped quarters at
less than cost and often free of charge or through
donated scholarships.
Programs include:
provides leadership to
nts in San Juan families living
low the poverty level in community
lopment, student leadership
raining on projects throughout the
munity. It serves over 1,000
hildren and youth per month, plus
nearly that same number in summer
programs.
At the end of the summer session o closing ceremony is
held at Heritage Park, to which the public is invited to
see examples of the children's work.
1. CREER Homework Club Program. School Year-Round Program. In this signature CREER program students are
given a safe and supportive environment and space for homework, studying, and learning. Volunteer's tutor
and mentor students in a tri-weekly basis
2. CREER after School Tutoring Programs. Six-week Sessions. These programs are designed to close the gaps in the
education of low income children enrolled in Spanish immersion programs that may have very little academic
help from their Spanish speaking parents as well as advance them whenever possible . These programs help
students from low income families who struggle to understand academic concepts and new academic material
presented to them during the year. Children enrolled in these programs also learn vital study skills,
workmanship and the joy and pride in learning. Each Session includes 12 academic and cultural programs with 3
back to back classes each day. These programs include : Math, English, Writing, Algebra, Pre-Algebra, Geometry,
Reading, Science, ESL, Arts & Crafts, Drawing and Guitar. We just finished our first session of the year with 102
students enrolled into the programs. On Monday, March 16th, 2015 we will start our second Session of the year
with 110 students enrolled.
3. CREER Summer Programs. One Six-week Session Scheduled in 2015. In this signature CREER program students are
given a safe and supportive environment during the summer to encourage learning while they have lots and lots
of fun. CREER's teachers and volunteers tutor and mentor students twice a week for six weeks in borrowed
space in two schools within the CAPO Unified School District. Classes included: Reading, Writing, Math, Algebra,
Spanish , Pinata, Dancing, Theater, Music, Guitar and more. The Summer Programs were written and
implemented as a pilot program and its services area have increased include a computer class, a business and
ESL class for adults.
4. CREER Youth: A youth group that aims to provide stimulus for higher education and community leadership.
Each year this group is a key factor to the success of Dia del Nino event; last year over 80 children and youth
volunteer their time to work at different posts throughout the day to make this event a wonderful experience to
all who attended.
5. Corazones Alegres Folklorio Ballet: This signature program serves between 200-300 children, youth and adults
during the year. They practice in donated space at St Edwards Catholic Church. There are programs for children
youth and adults. All of these groups perform throughout the year at school, city, church and county events and
most recently at Disneyland. The Leadership Team, together with part time instructors, helps coordinate and
develop this dance group. Most of the cultural authentic customs are made by the leadership team.
6. Atlas Capistrano Soccer: This culturally relevant year-round soccer program serves between 400-500 children,
youth and adults during the year. This very important gang prevention program partners with schools
throughout South Orange County and is renowned for serving as an alternative to young people who might
otherwise pursue far less positive paths. They practice at Stonefield Park and Marco Forester.
CREER Writing Class-1st -2nd Grades -
Summer Programs
CREER writing class on field trip to "THE
BEARS" Multicultural Exhibit at THE
Bookstore at SJC Library. Their
assignment was to learn about what
culture each of the nine diverse bears
represented, what culture they were
from and how they helped form the
diverse community of present day San
Juan Capistrano and to then write about
their own background and culture and
how it relates to them here and now.
These programs improve the child's educational development and increase their grades as well as develop the children's
educations, cultural and civic leadership skills. All this is done on a less than skimpy budget with volunteer or minimal-pay
administration and teaching staff.
As I am far less eloquent than others on the work of these community angels, I defer to his article in the OC Register
from a couple of years ago, which is partially reprinted below.
News
By ROBERT MANNIELLO I Orange County Register
April 23, 2014 at 9:00am
It appears that over the years, I've been pretty adept at spotting angels. That is, local angels in the form of
individuals and organizations carrying out noble work.
In fact, our community's hidden treasures never cease to amaze me. One is CREER Comunidad y Familia.
Its mission is focused on empowering and inspiring at-risk youths and families in San Juan Capistrano and the
surrounding area. The caring spirit and family-centered priorities are highlighted in the organization's vision to
create unique programs that transform lives and generations through education, culture, athletics and
community involvement.
Conceived in 2005 with initial educational efforts for youths starting in neighborhood parks, transitioning to a
homeowner's garage and finally to designated classrooms, the community sensitivity to children's needs
blossomed by untiring networking efforts. The critical challenge: assuring a uniform approach to help low-
income Latino families and their children in educational quests and triumphs.
Volunteers, the backbone of this nurturing pledge to children in kindergarten through 12th grade, have eagerly
answered the call to action. Name any professional category and it's almost certain that a representative has or
will offer a helping hand to teach our at-risk children practical aspects of CREER's academic and artistic courses.
Business liaisons (Capistrano Unified School District, Southern California Edison, OC Health Care Agency, Mission
Hospital and Healthy Smiles) complement educational pursuits by bridging the information gap.
Recent discussions with CREER Executive Director Angeles Ceballos and her sister Rosario Rowell, director of
education, revealed that they both started as volunteers. Love of children underscores the dynamic duo's
devotion to creating and implementing indispensable programs. Just seeing their faces light up when they speak
of their plans warms the heart.
Innovative courses include summer programs (six weeks at three elementary schools), Homework Club (25 to 30
students offered financial grants to allay costs), Atlas Capistrano Soccer (400 to 500 students yearly attend this
gang-prevention program), Corazones Alegres Ballet Folklorio and CREER Youth Group (the yearly Can't Stop,
Won't Stop Conference at Saddleback College stimulates higher education and community leadership).
CREER's signature event, Dfa del Nino (Day of the Child), honors children of all cultures, adapting time-honored
aspects ofthe Universal Day of the Child and Mexico's Children's Day to San Juan Capistrano and surrounding
communities.
Help spread the word that our community holds all children as a priority deserving every available educational
and health opportunity.
The angels will be watching.
Dr. Bob is right. These are noble angels doing this community's important work. Please support them. San Juan
Capistrano needs them! They are working miracles!
Thank you.
Mary D, Retired President, SJC Friends of the Library