We currently manage five community-based programs serving very low to low-income children and adults in the communities of Thousand Oaks, Newbury Park, Oak Park, Westlake Village, Agoura Hills, Moorpark and Simi Valley.
1. OPERATION SCHOOL BELL® Through this program underprivileged elementary school children accompanied by their parents are treated to a shopping spree where they are fitted with a wardrobe of new school clothing and shoes. These shopping events are staffed by our members and are truly joyous events for the whole family. Backpacks filled with essential school supplies are provided at the beginning of the school year. Since 1995 Assistance League has given over 10,000 backpacks and since 2000 has provided 4,570 children with new clothing and shoes.
This is a signature program running consistently throughout all Assistance League chapters. We know the positive impact suitable clothing and proper school supplies have on a child’s attendance, self-esteem and performance records. Assistance League wants to help school children focus on learning, feel comfortable and be on an equal footing with classmates. The program relieves parents of an often unaffordable expense.
Literacy is also a part of this program, providing volunteers to work
with students in a reading lab or classroom to improve their reading
skills, comprehension and speed.
According to teachers and students, it has proven highly effective with
measurable improvement in student reading skills.
In addition, third grade students in Conejo Valley District Schools are
provided with dictionaries which are kept at home to help improve the child's vocabulary. Fourth grade teachers have noted significant improvement in those who have had this dictionary provided to them.
32 schools are provided with clothing, hygiene kits and those essentials to help a child who has had an accident and requires a change of clothing.
2. SHARE-A-BEAR provides teddy bears to local hospitals, fire departments
and paramedics to be given to children in crisis. Since its inception in
1998, more than 10,000 bearshave been distributed. We have had many
letters of gratitude from both recipients of the bears and from those in
care facilities who give them out. The impact of receiving something
comforting like a bear in a time of crisis is amazing.
3. “WHAT IF I’M HOME ALONE?” is an interactive self-awareness program taught by Assistance League volunteers to educate children on home and personal safety issues. Since 1996, the program has been presented to over 7,000 elementary school children. It covers some very difficult personal safety issues in a comfortable and reassuring way and the response to this program has been overwhelmingly positive on the part of both teachers and students.
4. ASSAULT SURVIVOR KITS® containing essential items of clothing and grooming aids are provided to women and children who are referrred to Ventura County’s Safe Harbor East and whose clothes are retained for evidence in the crime investigation. The administrator of Safe Harbor East has told our volunteers how much it means to these survivors who have been abused to have clean clothes and toiletries to restore a little normalcy and self-respect after their traumas. In addition, clothing is distributed to local area hospital emergency rooms for individuals who need clothes to return home or to a shelter.
5. SPOTLIGHT ON SENIORS is a program
designed to bring entertainment, comprised of
singing and ukulele playing, to seniors at special
care nursing facilities and senior day care centers.
