Welcome to The Turner Foundation

On July 5-8 2010, about 30 staff and kids attended our 2nd annual West Side Kids Camp at San Marcos Camp and Conference Center! We all had a great time. We talked about the love of God, hiked the hills, spent hours in the pool, and made new friendships."

A Place Where You Belong - by Bethany Marroquin

It has been a surprisingly chilly summer for what is usually sunny Santa Barbara – overcast mornings and cloud cover that lasts into the afternoon. But on Thursday afternoons, regardless of the weather, you will find dozens of kids from the Village and Carrillo packed into the Village pool, laughing, screaming, and blowing water out of pool noodles at anything that moves. I've heard that the Village pool is colder than the Pacific Ocean. That sounds about right to me. Every Thursday, I hover by the stairs in the shallow end and try to ease myself into the freezing water – first up to my ankles, then up to my knees. But inevitably the little girls try to help me “get used to it” by splashing up all the water their little hands can hold, and that tends to attract the older kids, who are just looking for someone to soak with their noodle cannons. By that point, “easing into it” has kind of lost relevance. Sometimes you just have to jump in.

I've learned how to carry four girls in the water at once (hint: it involves the use of an inflatable pool ring). I've learned that “ Vueltas! ” means “Spin me around as fast as you can!” and “ Brinca! ” means “You stand in the pool and let me jump off the side into your arms!” The littlest girls especially love this game. Their absolute trust – and daring – completely astounds me. These girls are three years old, and none of them can swim. But when they see me in the water with my arms open, they don't hesitate.

I leave the pool early to dry off and head to the one-room library in the Village community center. We have had so many books donated that we're running out of space for them on the shelves – a wonderful dilemma to have. We usually get eight or ten kids coming in on Thursdays after swimming, and four kids have already gotten to go to our treasure chest, which is filled with surprises for those who bring back three books on time. Goosebumps and Junie B. Jones books are the most popular, though the Babysitter's Club has a wide following among the female interns. Sometimes the books come back to us; sometimes they don't. But the kids keep coming. We've had several girls come in just to draw on blank pieces of paper, in a quiet place where they feel welcome. On the library wall, colorful block letters read: “A Place Where You Belong.” And as much as I want the kids to be reading (and returning) their books, giving them a place to belong is the real purpose. I think that's been the goal of this summer, in ways that extend far beyond the library.

There's a quote attributed to St. Francis of Assisi that goes, “Preach the gospel at all times. If necessary, use words.” I remember listening to debate over that sentiment in a Religious Studies class at Westmont. Are we really preaching the gospel if we're not talking about it? Do actions really stand alone? What differentiates gospel-living from secular social work if Christ isn't definitively proclaimed as Lord? I'm trying to remember, now, if I've spoken to any of these kids about Jesus. I think I have, actually – he tends to pop up. But there have been no lesson plans, no Bible stories, and there won't be an altar call at the end of the summer. When people at church ask about the mission work I'm doing, I talk about the madness of trying to give swimming lessons to twenty kids at once, or how important it is to the kids to get a bookmark and a book bag as they leave the library. The kids have heard that Jesus loves them, and I'm going to keep telling them that – it's the most beautiful thing they'll ever know. But I think they're going to be closer to believing and understanding that when they know that we love them, and that we're willing to jump into 60 degree water so we can catch them when it's their turn.

***Bethany has been wonderful! She is one of our summer interns – focusing on the West Side ***

Talent Show at Pershing Park June 30th at 5:30 Come and share your talent with our friends without homes and enjoy a meal together. All are welcome!

Kids Club
Special thanks to our Kids Club volunteers for the 2009-2010 school year! Kids Club is every Thursday from 4:30-6pm at the Village Apartments in front of the Community Center. To volunteer contact Jeff Shaffer (805) 252-1993. In July Kids Club will resume for a week on VBS and a Summer Camp in the Santa Ynez Mountains!

Westmont Interns
Westmont Interns will be returning to the Village in the middle of May for another Summer! We are excited to have 16 students this year and 4 living at the Village Apartments. For more information about interning or connecting with the summer interns please call Jeff Shaffer at (805) 252-1993 or the Village office at (805) 730-1071. To hear about last year's interns, Carrie Caddell, Bridget Leivan and Nancy Shieh click on the article below from the Westmont Magazine.

Cooking Class with Sarinna!
Cooking Class every Saturday 2-6pm with Sarinna! Call (805)453-0674 for more information.

Easter Egg Hunt 2010
Thank you Volunteers and especially Patty Wilson & Sarinna Reungampan for the first annual Easter Party at the Village. See Scott in the office to pick up your pictures with the Easter Bunny.

Everyone is Welcome!
Saturday, March 27th
10:00 a.m. in the Parking Lot
Prizes, Treats and the Easter Bunny!

The Turner Foundation says goodbye and thank you to Ashlee Chuda.

Ashlee Chuda has lived at the Village and worked in the Turner Foundation office as an office assistant since 2007. She will be moving to Northern California to be closer to her family later this month. We will miss you Ashlee and thank you for all you have done!

Its 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 15th-19th. If you have any questions or would like to be involved please call Jeff Shaffer at (805) 252-1993 or email him at Jeff.Shaffer@TheTurnerFoundation.com

Monday - Tamale Fest w/ Westmont Students and West Side Residents 6:00 pm in the Community Center at the Village
(Tamales and Drinks provided)

New Program -- Free Cooking Class w/Sarinna!
Every Saturday from 2-6pm in the Community Center. Learn to cook something new...in past weeks students have learned to cook fried wantons, fried rice & cupcakes. All ages welcome. See pictures below!

Thank you to the 80+ donors who helped a local family get a fresh start this past Christmas/New Year! Jill LaFleur, a local wedding planner, along with June Michealsen and her Neighborhood Stewardship Group and Data Hardware Depot, a local Santa Barbara Telecommunications Company, helped a family from the West Side to move-out of their cockroach invested apartment and into a completely renovated, furnished and decorated 2 bedroom apartment at the Village. The donations help to cover several months of rent & assistance, a deposit, Christmas presents, gift cards and all new furnishings/appliances/bedding/furniture/kitchenware etc. for their new apartment! They have settled in well and are very involved in the Village community. Thank you for your generosity!!!!

Listen to a interview with Jeff Shaffer and Jill LaFleur about the Carrillo Family

You are invited!
To: the Superbowl Party
Where: in the community center
Time: arrive at 2:30 & kick off stars at 3:00
When: Sunday, Feb 7
We will have drinks and snacks - come join us

February 11, 2010

Valentine's Day Party
Come and make Valentine's Day Candy and Cards to keep or give away to a friend
When: February 11th from 3-4:30 in the community center
All candy and cards provided!

*Contact the Foundation Office for more information on any of these events (805) 730-1200

Come Join Santa for Breakfast!
Saturday, December 19th from 9:30-11:30am in the Community Center.
Bacon, Eggs, Fruit, Waffles, Pancakes, OJ, Donuts & More! Family Pictures & Pictures with Santa Claus
All are welcome!

Thanksgiving 2009
The Thanksgiving Feast was a great success this year! We had over 175 people, Bounce Houses for the Children, Incredible Thanksgiving Food, Musical Performances and a Raffle. Special thanks to Mayor Marty Blum and her husband Joe for attending, to Lazy Acres for the Donations and excellent Catering, to Westmont and Community Harvest Church for Volunteering and to all the Village Residents for Dessert!!!

Thanksgiving Feast! (Dia De Gracias!)
The Thanksgiving Feast will be on Friday, November 20th in front of the Community Center from 6-8pm (La Fiesta para el Dia de Gracias es el Viernes, el 20 de noviembre, Afrente del Centro Social desde las 6 a las 8 en la noche)

Tuesday Art
Thank you Westmont Students for Tuesday Art. Three weeks in a row (and still going) several Westmont students have come to the Village to do arts and crafts with Village and West Side kids. See some of their art below (recycled art, boxes of love and crochette squares). To join...come to the Community Center on Tuesdays from 4:30-6pm. Call Alexis with questions 730-1200.

Pumpkin Carving
Special thanks to Foodland and Lane Farms who donated pumpkins! Thank you Kids Club volunteers who kept the children safe while carving pumpkins! We had 53 pumpkins this year and they were all carved!

Halloween is Almost Here!
This week there will be Pumpkin Carving on Thursday October 29th from 4:30-6pm during Kids Club. Pumpkins will be provided for free....come dressed up and carve! Following Kids Club there will be a Costume Contest in the Community Center from 6-7pm. Lots of candy and prizes for the Scariest, Most Colorful and Most Creative Costumes. Please call Alexis with any questions 730-1200

School Supply Party
Special thanks to Joanne for donating 75 bags filled with school supplies for West Side Kids. See the pictures below of the Pizza Party that kicked off the School Year and New School Supplies.

West Side Summer Camp
"This year's first annual summer camp was a huge success! Thank you to everyone who donated scholarships for West Side Children to attend this 3-day camp in the wilderness. Eighteen children from both the Village and the neighboring Carillo apartments attended. Special thanks to all of the volunteers, Community Covenant, Westmont College Students and Jerry Miner. For information about how to get involved or attend next year's summer camp please email Jeff Shaffer at Jeff.Shaffer@TheTurnerFoundation.com

First Annual West Side Summer Camp
Children from the Village Apartments and neighboring West Side neighborhood are invited to sign up for a 3-day Summer Camp from July 6th-9th. The cost per child is only $10 so sign up no later than June 30th. San Marcos Camp and Conference Center is located 30 minutes from Santa Barbara and we have lots of fun outdoor activities planned. For more information email Jeff Shaffer at Jeff.Shaffer@TheTurnerFoundation.com or call the office at 805.730.1200. Visit the camp website at www.sanmarcoscamp.com.

Music Lesson have started at the Village!!
The new music instructor, Samuel Boruszko, teaches violin, guitar, piano and voice lessons every Saturday in the Community Center. We can provide you with the instruments thanks to local donations and the hard work of Samuel Boruszko and Jon Wilson. Below is a short bio for the instructor as well as link to his music. If you have any questions or are interested in signing up talk with Alexis in the community center or email info@theturnerfoundation.com

Samuel Boruszko holds a Master's Degree in Music from California Institute of the Arts (CALARTS). He is a founding member of the Simon Bolivar Symphonic Orchestra and has been a Violin/Viola player and a Symphonic Orchestra conductor for more than 15 years performing in more than 20 countries. Samuel is also a choir director, a composer and an arranger. He has an extensive list of compositions and/or arrangements ranging from classical, popular, world music, symphonic, choral works and worship music. Samuel offers a strong and vast experience with 30 years of teaching and a great passion for music and education. Listen to Samuel at: http://cdbaby.com/cd/boruszko

The Village Playground is open!
Come and play 7 days a week 9am-Sundown! Thank you CHE committee for all your work making this project happen.

Westmont Spring Break
From Sunday, March 11th to Friday, March 19th, 47 Westmont student spent their Spring Break on the West Side of Santa Barbara. They met at the Village Apartments and spent their days doing prayer walks, neighborhood cleanup, painting, washing cars, Kids Club, Scavenger hunts, helping residents, laundry of love and much more. Below is a link to their blog & a video link to a story that the Newspress did. The Westmont students that volunteered that week continue to visit the Village and have made long-lasting relationships and friendships with Village Residents and people that live on the West Side of Santa Barbara. View Spring Break in the West Side 2009 Blog | View Spring Break Video

Village Playground
The Village Playground is Finished! Thank you so much to all who were involved!! Special thanks to the CHE committee members and Westmont.

Discovery Meeting
The CHE committee will be holding a “DISCOVERY” Meeting on Tuesday May 19th 5-6:30pm in the Community Center where all residents are invited to share their thoughts about what the next project should be. Now that the Playground is complete we would love to here you ideas about what to do next. Please come and voice your opinion!!

View News and Events 2008 Archive >>>

News & Events

West Side Kids Summer Camp

A Place Where You Belong - by Bethany Marroquin