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e-Newsletter
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| A Note From the Founder/CEO |
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Margot and Yolanda at camp.
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As many of you already know, Camp Laurel Foundation is now doing business as The Laurel Foundation. This name change is to better reflect the many services (more than just camp programs) that we offer specifically to children, youth and families affected by HIV and AIDS. We now offer year round mentorship, life enhancement workshops, on-going connections with the families, day camps and resident camp programs. We hope you will embrace this name change and know that our dedication remains only in serving children, youth and families affected by HIV and AIDS.
Click here to continue reading.
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Winter Family Camp Wrap-Up
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Tubing fun at Winter Family Camp!
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Super Camp, more commonly known as Winter Family Camp 2011, unleashed the power of positive thinking, self-expression and teamwork on 89 excited campers, including kids ages 3-17 and their parents/guardians. The program is a unique opportunity for families since all participants share the common bond of HIV/AIDS, eliminating the fear and isolation associated with the illness. With this barrier lifted, campers entered a nourishing environment where they could discover their "super power" within. While participating in activities like teambuilding, yoga, and archery, campers were encouraged to develop skills such as communication, courage, and responsibility.
Thank you to Program Director Shannon "Shout Out" Payne for helping us discover that each one of us can be a super hero!
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| Volunteer of the Year: Jayme "Cupcake" Turla |
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Cupcake at Summer Camp 2010
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It is said that good things come in small packages, and that is certainly true for The Laurel Foundation's Volunteer of the Year, Jayme Turla, better known as "Cupcake."
Winter Family Camp 2011 marked her sixth camp. "It was an emotional experience," Jayme said. "It's crazy that time has gone by so fast. I realized in that moment how much I've grown up at camp. My sixth-camp award bracelet embodied how much I've learned and how much I love The Laurel Foundation."
"At school I learned so much theory about working with children but camp allowed me to apply those theories in amazing, life changing ways."
Jayme graduates from UCLA with a BA in Political Science and Education this spring. She has chosen to forgo her commencement ceremony in order to attend Summer & Teen Adventure Camp. Jayme's dedication knows no bounds! She has consistently volunteered in the office, at camp and for our various fundraising activities. Most importantly, Jayme's dedication helps us continue our mission to empower children, youth and families affected by HIV/AIDS.
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| A Poem: by Yolanda, a former camper |
It's not what I'm dying of
It's what I'm living with . . .
Life . . .
Before I begin, I will say my name.
My name is Yolanda Marie Williams.
I am 17.
Born with HIV.
I look in the mirror and ask myself, how long can I hide this secret?
Yet, it's nobody's business.
Click here to continue reading Yolanda's poem.
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Volunteers Going The Extra Mile
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The Laurel Foundation's volunteers are some of the most inspiring and dedicated people you will ever meet. We would like to recognize two volunteers who went above and beyond to plan their very own fundraisers to support The Laurel Foundation's much needed programs for children,youth and families affected by HV/AIDS.
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Cheese
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Ruby
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Laura "Cheese" Crow planned, coordinated and hosted not just a party, but Prom in Space! The event was out of this world and raised $1,700- more than enough to send one child to camp this summer!
Ruben "Ruby" Zambrano worked with GROOV3 to host an awesome dance workout session in West Hollywood. While attendees danced and sweated, the event raised $350 to support The Laurel Foundation.
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Counselor-in-Training: A Program Success Story |
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CITs, Rosalyn, Hazel and Patrick, take a break
from a workshop session at Summer Camp 2010. |
It is time to celebrate the success of The Laurel Foundation's Counselor-in-Training program! Developed to teach teens (ages 15-17) affected by HIV/AIDS valuable leadership skills, the program provides much needed role models to children attending our camp programs. CITs participate in engaging skills building workshops while gaining hands on experience working with younger campers under the supervision of experienced volunteer counselors. Since 2007, with a revamped curriculum and consistent leadership from volunteer Lorenzo "Mad Hatter" Diaz, more than 10 former CITs have successfully returned to volunteer as camp counselors. "I am proud to say that I am a camper turned counselor because of The Laurel Foundation's CIT program, which coached me, built me up and developed me into a leader!" --Britney "Button" Summervill, former CIT & current counselor |
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LEAF Mentorship Program
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Collage created by
a LEAF mentee. |
We are so excited about our growing LEAF Mentorship Program! Recognizing the need to provide continued guidance and care for youth (ages 10-24) affected by HIV/AIDS throughout the year, the Life Enhancement and Fellowship (LEAF) Mentorship program was created. The program is a powerful antidote to the social and emotional challenges of living with HIV/AIDS, including the overwhelming social stigma. Emulating the love and support found at camp, LEAF mentors amazingly commit to being strong role models and a source of inspiration to our mentees. At the beginning of a one year commitment, LEAF mentee/mentor matches do fun stuff like going to the movies, grabbing a meal or just companionably hanging out. By starting with a strong foundation built on friendship and mutual respect, then transitioning to discussions of goal setting, mentors empower youth living with HIV/AIDS to begin to seek a physically and emotionally healthy future, one that includes hope and a self-defined vision of success.
Make a difference in a young person's life. Join LEAF and help The Laurel Foundation carry on its tradition of providing exceptional programs for our youth. Click here to email Uyen Ngo, our Mentorship Program Director, to learn more about this important program.
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Upcoming Events and Volunteer Opportunities
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Donors
| We would like to say THANK YOU to all our donors who have assisted us so far in 2011. Thanks to your generosity, we are one step closer to serving over 500 children this year!!! Thank you for making a difference in a child's life.
The Laurel Foundation's 2011 Donors 
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75 S. Grand Ave.Pasadena, CA 91105P: 626-683-0800F: 626-683-0890info@Laurel-Foundation.org
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