Timeline

Americorps Week Event: YAP's 7 Habits of Highly Effective Job Seekers

YAP made lot's of Arroyo students happy by holding a series of workshops on May 14th and 15th, from 3pm to 5pm at Arroyo Valley High School. The workshops prepared over 70 students on all aspects of obtaining a job from job searching, application help and interview skills. There was also a fun fashion show of the do's and don'ts of interview attire where YAP members walked the cafeteria runway displaying the common mistakes of interview wear. Summer job applications were also passed out to help lead the way for the students' first opportunity for job experience.

On top of learning all these necessary skills and information Arroyo students were rewarded with pizza and prizes, with a raffle provided by YAP, Chili's and Fiesta Village. Thank you very much to our donors for allowing us to make this workshop day a lot more fun!

April 4th 2009 - Cesar Chavez Day Park Clean Up

YAP discovered tremendous success at our second National Day of Service in honor of Cesar Chavez Day. The Cesar Chavez Day Park Clean Up at Seccombe Lake Park was located in San Bernardino on Sierra Ave and 5th Street. YAP Americorps members and 153 community volunteers of all ages gathered around and picked up rakes, shovels, trash bags and brooms and helped beautify the park including the playground area, lake and grass areas. The event logged in a total of 576 volunteer hours for the day,

Gabriel Gardner, 19, of Colton, was volunteering with AmeriCorps and the group Faith In God Helps Troubled Souls. Gardner was pleased with his share of the work on the park. "It helps to kind of make it look cleaner and better," he said.

Among a vast list of attendees, Assemblywoman Wilmer Amina Carter, D-Rialto, spent Saturday morning helping AmeriCorps members pick up trash and debris around the lake as well as other city officials such as San Bernardino City mayor Patrick J. Morris, Councilman Tobin Brinker and Francis Vasquez, a representative from the 5th District County Supervisor Josie Gonzales.

We thank all of our volunteers who came out and participated and we would also like to send a special thanks to County Supervisor Josie Gonzales and Assemblywoman Wilmer Amina Carter for their donations towards the event.

Click here to see the media coverage of the event

January 19th 2009 - Martin Luther King Jr. Prayer Breakfast

YAP teamed up with the Inland Empire Christian African American Churches (IECAAC) to commemorate Martin Luther King Jr. and the new president elected, Barack Obama. The day started off with a commemorative breakfast located at the St. Paul Dorothy Inghram Center beginning at 7am. YAP members served the event as hosts waiting on tables and serving food. Individuals in attendance included the San Bernardino mayor Patrick J. Morris and California State Assemblymember Wilmer Amina Carter.

Immediately concluding the MLK breakfast YAP moved to downtown San Bernardino in front of City Hall for a honorary march around the Martin Luther King Jr. statue. Set up outside of City Hall YAP provided honorary pledges for all participants to sign up for. The pledges were non-monetary and included different attributes that Martin Luther King Jr. possessed in order to be a better individual. YAP had serveral volunteers who pledged in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. and plan on following up with the individuals later this year. Inside of City Hall YAP and other organizations performed various presentations to commemorate Dr. King Jr. and his struggle towards civil rights. After these presentations the Xplosive Drumline and Drill Team gave a phenomenal performance ending the ceremony with a march around the statue. During this event, YAP's goal was to bring unity, understanding and strength to those in the community. The entire day was a success from the breakfast to the march.

Click here to see the media coverage of the event

December 17th 2008 - Holiday Family Sponsor Drive

For Christmas 2008, YAP teamed up with Social Action Community Health System (SACHS) of Loma Linda and sponsored 2 families that were facing the holidays without resources for any type of celebration. YAP asked volunteers to donate a monetary donation, a gently used coat or an unopened toy to help the cause.

The drive turned out to be very successful. YAP raised over $500 for the 2 families and were able to purchase everything on their wishlists and more. Another successful turnout.

November 19th 2008 - Thanksgiving Canned Food Drive

This past Thanksgiving YAP members partnered with Social Action Community Health System (SACHS) for a can food drive. The SACHS Pantry has provided our community with affordable health care services and has empowered people to make their lives whole. YAP did their part by visiting different schools such as California State University of San Bernardino and San Bernardino Valley College for two days setting up tables to collect cans from volunteers on campus. Several business located in the downtown San Bernardino area were also involved and generously donated as much as they could. Overall YAP collected 230 cans to give to SACHS pantry where they in return gave the cans to families who were in need.

November 8th 2008 - YAP Meet N' Greet

The Youth Action Project celebrated the launch of its tutoring and mentoring program by conductiong an appreciation ceremeony for local college students. The event invited all YAP members to get together and get to know one another in exciting and fun games and activities. The day also incuded a visit from California Assemblymember Wilmer Amina Carter. The Stater Bros. Charities also made a check presentation to support YAP's educational enhancement effort.