VCHC Recognizes and Thanks Its Fantastic Volunteers
VCHC Volunteer Dana Liston, center, is acknowledged at a VCHC staff meeting (6/3/11). Pictured left to right: YouthBuild Teacher Sarah Wakasa, YouthBuild Case Manager/Counselor Rick Solis, Dana Liston, Former YouthBuild Director Linda Robinson and YouthBuild Case Manager Tina Marie Lee.
VCHC Volunteer: Dana Liston
Dana Liston started collaborating with Program Director Linda Robinson about two years ago to develop teaching methods and strategies for VCHC’s YouthBuild students. She worked as a volunteer tutor with YouthBuild’s Cycle 8 and Cycle 9 students as a Career Preparation Services volunteer. She and Linda Robinson co-taught the afternoon life skills session covering resume writing, interviewing skills, the job search process, preparing cover letters, role-playing interviews, and dressing for success. When Linda was unavailable, Dana conducted the afternoon class solo.
Linda Robinson praises Dana’s work and efforts highly: “Dana has always been on point, professional, on time and very creative. She designed a poster to track students’ accomplishments in the afternoon class. We met prior to the class to discuss our “game plan” and topics to discuss. Dana was always thinking out of the box to connect our students to opportunities to prepare them for the world of work and post-secondary options.”
Dana is a local Venice resident and artist, donating her art to VCHC’s annual Jazz event. Initially she tutored students in English and math. She found her “true” strengths and passion when she began working with at-risk youth with whom she formed strong working relationships. Realizing that she needed a mentor as a teen, she reached out to VCHC’s YouthBuild students whom she saw as smart, creative, “fantastic” and needing help organizing their lives, careers and communications skills to find balance and success. Her interest in each student and their goals enabled her to give meaningful and substantial help.
On June 3, 2011, at a VCHC Staff Meeting, Dana was presented with a VCHC Achievement Award from the YouthBuild Staff, commending her for her outstanding efforts and work for the Program.
VCHC Volunteer Benjamin Dickow, center, is acknowledged and congratulated at a VCHC Staff Meeting, 4/8/2011. Steve Clare, VCHC Executive Director, is on the right; Kevin Michini, Site Coordinator, is on the left.
In the summer of 2008 Benjamin (Ben) Dickow wanted to expose community kids to science. He thought about various possibilities and discussed his ideas with his then boss, Richard Bencivengo, who serves on the Housing Options for People to Excel (HOPE) Board and was familiar with VCHC and its programs that serve youth. Ben was introduced to VCHC Executive Director, Steve Clare, explained his “science for kids” concepts and the Westside Science Club was born! Carmen Navarro, TLC Program Manager for VCHC, worked closely with Ben and VCHC staff to get the program started. She says that she was impressed with Ben from the beginning and that the Club was a big hit with the kids.
The Westside Science Club began at VCHC‘s Tabor Court facility every Saturday morning from 10AM -12PM for children who live in that building between ages 7 and 12. The program was popular immediately, capturing the imaginations and interest of the students. From the beginning the program had 15 to 17 students each week. At Westside Science Club, Ben says “Science is a verb.” Kids actually DO science by conducting experiments and investigations.
Ben is a committed volunteer. Since 2008, he has been investing his time, effort and good will. In addition, he contributes many of the program’s expenses for supplies and materials. Presently the Club is held two Saturdays a month at Tabor, and incredibly, many of the original students still faithfully attend.
Ben has an extensive science background. He focuses on allowing the students to follow their interests and satisfy their curiosities. He works hard to structure the program to do this by designing the program to allow science and creativity to lead the way to enhanced knowledge and stronger critical thinking skills. Kevin Michini, Site Coordinator of after school programs, says “Ben allows students to be in charge! They define their problems, come up with their own solutions, test their hypotheses, and re-evaluate their results to make better scientific choices. The students end up teaching themselves and Ben provides the tools that enable them to learn.”
While Westside Science Club clearly is an educational and learning tool, Ben has been adamant that the program not be closely tied to or identified as academic skills building; instead, he requires that it focus on allowing exploration of the wonders of science in a fun environment. This philosophy is the reason for the program’s success. In addition to doing on-site science experiments, Ben has conducted community field trips, including a neighborhood clean-up. That got the mixed review: “gross but very interesting.” Ben and the students have also visited the Natural Science Museum, the Long Beach Aquarium, the Los Angeles Zoo, and many others science-related sites. Projects include making model cars. After attending VCHC’s first car show, they completed and then raced their cars at the Auto Show at the Peterson Museum.
Ben’s commitment to the program is above and beyond the expectations of VCHC staff. “His commitment to the students, to the program and to the love of science has made him a valuable resource to VCHC. It’s amazing to work with a volunteer who brings so much, knowledge, enthusiasm, and dedication to his work with the kids,” says Bridgett Bell, Director of After School Programs.
Over the years there have been discussions about expanding the program to other VCHC buildings, thereby including more attendees. Current students have taken ownership of Westside Science Club and are dedicated to it. These two things show that the program is working: one, when there is discussion of expansion; and two, when participants take ownership of it. Ben’s continuing commitment to his volunteer assignment with Westside Science Club has the full support and confidence of VCHC. Due to his great success, there is support for expansion of the program so that others will have the benefit of VCHC’s very own volunteer, in-house, master scientist, Ben Dickow.
