News & EventsThe Village Christmas Party We had a wonderful Christmas party as families and staff came together to celebrate. Kids used felt, glue, and candy canes to make ornaments and performed a Pageant of Jesus' birth using masks for each of the characters. Santa came and took pictures with families as everyone played games, talked, and ate Christmas treats.
December Update Thanksgiving Dinner at the Village After a day of expectant preparations, where kids ran around placing silverware and decorations on tables, residents, staff, and friends of the Turner Foundation joined together under a large white tent to celebrate Thanksgiving together. The celebration began with a bounce house, crafts with Fun on the Run, and paper leaves where everyone could write something for which they were thankful. With plates heaping with turkey, stuffing, and potatoes, they talked and laughed amidst the white lights. During dinner, several children performed music they have worked on throughout the year in Music Lessons, while others read poetry they wrote in the Summer Reading Club. Chief Cam Sanchez was also recognized for his partnership in creating a healthier community (for more information on the award, see Noozhawk article). Overall, it was a great time to be together. Thank you to everyone who helped create this event!
November Update Fun on the Run The Village has invited Fun on the Run, a Santa Barbara Parks & Recreation program to help kids be active and have fun. The Fun on the Run program brings a van full of games, art supplies, crafts, and sports equipment every Tuesday from 3:30 - 4:30pm (beginning November 22). For more information, see www.sbparksandrecreation.com.
The Santa Barbara Foundation
The Santa Barbara Foundation is a community foundation established in 1928 to enrich the lives of the people of Santa Barbara County through philanthropy.” We have received a generous grant of $5,000 from the Santa Barbara Foundation to help build the new play space at the Village apartments! Thank you Santa Barbara Foundation for partnering with us to complete this exciting project that will provide a safe play space for West Side youth and families. If you also would like to join our efforts, please click here and designate your donation for the playground. Thank you Santa Barbara Foundation! Pumpkin Carving For the Pumpkin Carving Event, there was a nice, calm, family-oriented atmosphere. Lane Farms graciously donated 40 pumpkins for the event. Thank you Lane Farms! It was great to see kids dressed up and coming up with creative ideas for the pumpkin carvings. We had some of the parents and other adults judge the costumes and pumpkin carvings, and they did a great job! We had prizes for the most creative, scariest, and cutest costume and the happiest, most creative, and scariest pumpkins. It was a fun event for families and staff! Sarinna's Goodbye Party Recently Village residents and staff said "goodbye" and "thank you" to Sarinna. She has been a friend here for 12 years, including 6 years as an invaluable member of the staff. In order to celebrate Sarinna, the community gathered to enjoy food and laughter. Thank you Sarinna for all your hard work and sharing your love with everyone! We will miss you. Community Building Events – Youth Council Meetings Youth Council Meetings are part of empowering the youth in the West Side to bring positive change. These meetings have been a great opportunity for the adults to get to know some of the voices of the Village/Carrillo youth. By hearing their thoughts we are able to better understand them and learn more about their desires for the community. It has been helpful and beneficial in breaking down some barriers and building a sense of mutual trust between us. This last Sunday was nice because after the council meeting, we shared a meal together and then had a friendly game of football- it was a great opportunity to simply have fun together with good fellowship and laughter.
Community Building Events - Ice Cream Social Every other Sunday at the Village we will be holding community building events. This past Sunday we brought ice cream, residents brought the toppings, and West Side students displayed their art projects. One student shared that doing projects like these was a great way to stay out of trouble. Another shared his piece describing 'PLUR' - Peace, Love, Unity, Respect. It was a great time and we went through 5 gallons of ice cream! Village Newsletter Back-To-School Tools
In Praise of Generosity
Man Talk Missions Trip to San Francisco Our Village guys and volunteers took a trip to the Golden Gate for a time of fun and spiritual growth. Check out the video below to see exactly what they were up to.
Village BBQ Of Bunnies and Brimming Baskets
Easter Egg Hunt Join us at the Community Center at 10 a.m. - Saturday April 9th, 2011 for egg-finding fun and more!Contact Patty Wilson at patty.wilson@theturnerfoundation.com with any questions or call the Village Office (805)730-1071.
Westmont on the West Side This week, the Village was flooded with the love and energy of the Westmont College West Side team. About fifteen dedicated students sacrificed their Spring Break time to come volunteer at the Village. The volunteers combined their efforts to do service projects such as "laundry of love", trash pick-up and a free Car Wash open to all on the West Side. Why? To show that Westmont students don't just care about the West Side, but truly desire to serve all of the Santa Barbara community. Their generosity and enthusiasm can perhaps best be summarized in their actions related to Kid's Club, however: it is truly an act of immense love to splash into the notoriously freezing Village pool. The Kid's Club team taught stories each day, played games, and took some impromptu blows and drenchings with a smile. The Jr. High team took the older Village kids for some fun and leisurely time away in a variety of locations - everything from feeding ducks to simply talking about life and hanging out. Overall, the Village was glad to have these volunteers and hopes to see them again soon. View more photos
It's that time of year again and we are welcoming Westmont Students back to the Village and the West Side. Below is the schedule for activities from March 14th-18th. If you have any questions pleaseemail Rebecca Akaka. DAILY SCHEDULE WEEKLY SCHEDULE
Valentine's Day Celebration
Big News for Our Little Village Just down Carillo St, a few blocks from the Village, a small law-firm company called Hager & Dowling is doing big things for the local community. After the Turner Foundation staff had an opportunity to share our vision for the West Side and the Village Apartments December 2nd, the Hager & Dowling Charitable Fund decided to join our efforts at empowering the SB community. As of February 3rd, the Hager & Dowling Charitable Foundation has given us a generous seed grant of $8,000 for a playground at the Village, which will provide a place of safety and community for our residents' children. We are so thankful to Hager & Dowling for serving the village, so we can serve others, and we look forward to each new step towards the Village playground!
Man Talk on a Man Walk Once a week, some of the Village men meet with Stan Fung and other volunteers for "Man Talk". It's a time of mentorship and fellowship, a place for both serious conversation and outrageous laughter. Being men, of course, means that talking alone won't do. Starting at the city water treatment plant, Man Talk hiked about 3 and a half hours to Inspiration Point. The hikers began their climb with prayer and ended with a lunch viewing the whole city. Leader Stan Fung says "It was a 4- hour day and challenging; some learn patience and others learn perseverance, but over-all everyone had fun and are ready to do it again."
Christmas Update! Affordable Housing of the Edible Variety December 6th, a little bit of the North Pole came to Santa Barbara. Children from the Village and also our Carillo neighbors were excited to see Santa Claus making a stop at the Community Center in the midst of his busy pre-Christmas season. While Santa took pictures with the children, and of course, took note of their Christmas wishes, there was a much sweeter stickier experience occurring on the back patio. Gingerbread houses were awaiting their tasty decorations and the children were happy to oblige. Some of the families and children had never experienced building Gingerbread Houses - and all of the tasty benefits. It is very likely that most of the candy trappings went into mouths instead of decking Gingerbread walls, but nevertheless, every housebuilder came up with a beautiful creation to take home. For those lacking a sweet tooth, there was a popcorn machine producing plenty of buttery, salty alternatives. The whole event was a wonderful opportunity for the kids to meet Santa, show off their creativity and take home sweet treats and sweeter memories.
|
The Santa Barbara Rotary Club Charitable Foundation is well known for years
of local community support. As of June 30th, the Turner Foundation and the Village Apartments are thrilled to join the ranks for those benefiting from
renown Rotary generosity. After the Turner Foundation staff had an opportunity to share our vision for the West Side and the Village Apartments
playground, the Rotary Club decided to join our efforts at empowering the SB community. We have received a generous grant of $1,500 for a playground at
the Village, which will provide a place of safety and community for our residents' children.
We are so thankful to the Santa Barbara Rotary Club's Charitable Foundation
for serving the Village, so we can serve others. If you also would like to
join our efforts, please
