Last spring Kids Korps announced our new program, Hugs 4 Kids, honoring Julien Hug.  Thanks to our Hugs 4 Kids sponsors, we were able to dedicate resources to develop this innovative youth empowerment program! We would also like to thank the Hugs 4 Kids Advisory Board members for their time and commitment: Denise Hug, Jennifer Keslik-Bell, Maggie Bobileff, Andrea Carrier, Dana Knees, Marie Daniels, Joanne Wolf, and Eric Iantorno.

We are happy to announce that the Hugs 4 Kids program has now launched with the implementation of the Hugs 4 Kids website (www.hugs4kids.info). The website will provide resources and information for kids, teens, parents and educators on key topics affecting youth today. The Hugs 4 Kids website is just the starting point for this important program!

Kids Korps has dedicated the entire month of February to Hugs 4 Kids. Events have been scheduled that will introduce our members to this new program. Our goal behind these events is to help empower the younger generation to build a strong foundation of self leadership, character, and health and wellness. For more information on these events or the program, please visit us at www.hugs4kids.info and become a fan on Facebook (Hugs 4 Kids – a program of Kids Korps USA).

Interested in helping out with this new program? Please contact Chris at (760) 452-2672 or chris@kidskorps.org.

A new centerpiece in Kids Korps’ and Teen Korps’ environmental stewardship programs will open its doors this fall.  As part of a new initiative funded by our partners at SDG&E, Green Korps service learning and leadership programs this fall promote through this new state-of-the-art regional education and event center.

SDG&E’s Energy Innovation Center (EIC) will be a model of energy-efficient and environmentally friendly technologies where youth volunteers and visitors will learn about energy efficiency, demand response, renewable energy and alternative fuel technologies for residential, commercial and industrial users.

At the Center, leading-edge technologies will be demonstrated for commercial and industry professionals to evaluate and incorporate into their own building designs and plans.  Through the Civic Vision and Leadership Initiative, Teen Korps and Kids Korps members will utilize the center as a venue for educational outreach through educational displays and educational outreach they create from a young person’s perspective.

Brian Hawkins, Kids Korps team member who is coordinating the program with SDG&E summed up the importance of this new initiative… “We are so pleased to partner with our friends at SDG&E as the Energy Innovation Center becomes a centerpiece for environmental stewardship and energy efficiency across our region, together we hope to support todays consumers and industry leaders in construction and remodeling, while we foster a new generation of clean-tech career minded youth.”

Stay tuned for new programs, exhibits and events to come beginning this fall through the EIC!

By Tracy Villarreal, 2011 Ernst & Young Horizon Intern

Volunteering with Kids Korps made us, a group of Ernst & Young interns, aware of all of the generous and truly amazing people that perform this work every day.  As a non-profit organization, Kids Korps sees the good in all and coordinates events to benefit the community and the environment in various ways.  While volunteering my time, I felt that the smallest tasks I did made a world of difference.  Our team was so happy to be a part of something that both helped our environment and the lives of those around us.  Whether performing administrative work to relieve a load off of the office staff, or creating artistic masterpieces using recycled energy components, or cleaning the shores of Moonlight beach to restore the beach to its natural appearance, we were all very happy to be given the opportunity to do our part in our community.  As a college student, I feel that volunteer work is very important to our well being.  We learned about our different talents—a few interns have quite an eye for art.  The event also brought our team closer together.  The feeling one gets when doing such work is like no other; feeling appreciated and valued to know that even the smallest helping hand can make a great difference.

TERI (Training, Education, and Research Institute) is an organization that assists children and adults with different developmental and physical disabilities. On Saturday, March 5, we had the wonderful experience volunteering one more time with their Therapeutic Equestrian Program.

Our afternoon at TERI was a truly rewarding experience—and a very special one, because this time we were volunteering not only with our older sister, Catherine, as we typically had in the past, but also with our three younger brothers, who recently joined our family through adoption. Thomas, Nicholas, and Stephen were thrilled at the whole experience. They were delighted to have plenty of opportunities to help, and were also eagerly waiting for their chance to ride a horse towards the end.
We started by grooming the horse that was going to be ridden by some young clients of the program, and then cleaned up the horse’s stall. The next task was to sweep the feed room. Stephen, Nicholas, and Thomas were really excited to be able to help. All three of them face physical challenges, but have very noble attitudes in the face of
challenges, and cherish every opportunity to be of assistance to others. Brushing the horse, shoveling the manure, and sweeping the feed room certainly turn into really exciting activities if done as a family for a good cause.

After getting the horses ready, some older children with autism and other disabilities arrived, ready for riding. After helping each child mount the horse from a platform, one volunteer leads the horse, another follows closer to the child, to make sure the rider is well balanced and not falling down, and two more volunteers walk along on each side, to giveconfidence to the rider, ready to help if eventually needed. Volunteering at TERI make us realize that helping others is meaningful and fun. We started volunteering with Kids Korps when we were 6 years old, and have always enjoyed every minute of it. In a few weeks our family is moving permanently to the east coast. Although we are all happy to move, we will greatly miss Kids Korps and the awesome, rewarding volunteer experiences we have always had.
Miracle League Smiles

By Alex and Olivia Scafidi , 3rd and 2nd graders at Horizon Prep. Academy, RSF Chapter Miracle League is a place for disabled children to have the opportunity to play baseball and other sports.  Olivia and Alex were able to join their Miracle League buddies and watch other children play baseball games on Opening Day, March 12th.  They are both very excited to have the opportunity to play with their team next weekend.  The girls also were able to participate in a team parade.  Alex’s buddy, Katherine, was really funny and always had a smile on her face. Both girls thought the best part of the day was meeting and helping their buddies. Olivia thinks everyone should participate in Miracle League because it is a great opportunity to help other children. Both girls had a lot of fun and can’t wait to do it again in the future.