For Christmas, I wanted to do something fun with the kids. I bought them each a t-shirt and things to decorate so they can make gifts for themselves. I also bought some beads and little crafts so they can each give something nice to their moms. On Thursday, we will be brainstorming ideas for ways the group can do something nice for someone else. Then they will be carrying out their plan the following day. They are each going to think of one thing they can do individually to help someone out for the Christmas holiday.

Things at the Life Start Village are going well. The kids have never been more excited about reading. My program is working out well and all the kids have improved. They are getting along with each other and also helping each other out with their reading skills. These kids have taught me so much about how important life is and to appreciate the small things.

By Astacia Carter

I started my program at the Life Start Village. It’s going very well and I love the kids. They are all very excited to start learning. I have learned so much from the short time I have been there. I have really taken a step back and realized how lucky I am. When I asked them what they wanted for prizes, instead of toys they asked for things like backpacks and shoes. These things are given to us all the time. Some of the kids only have as much as one pair of flip flops. I’m so glad that I live the life that I do. I went in with the intentions of teaching these kids to read, but I think they have taught me so much more than I could ever teach them.

At Glendale Middle School, about 100 students, parents, and teachers gathered for an assembly where they heard stories about education from two speakers. The first speaker was Ramita Shrestha from Nepal. Her organization the JOY Foundation Nepal helps to teach kids in Nepal to read. The second speaker was Carol Ugochukwa, WOW Nigeria, who spoke about the importance of education and always striving for better education for the next generation. She recounts the hardship she encountered as a kid and how much different and better it is now for her own kids.

At Horizonte Learning Center, about 170 immigrant and refugee adults gathered to listen to Carol’s stories.  Her message focused on what the adults can do to make sure their kids have the opportunities and support to succeed.

At the end of the Glendale and Horizonte assembly / program, each family received a bag of books to instill the message about the value of education. The books and the event was cosponsored by SLCAP F.A.C.E.S. , G.E. Capital Financial, Glendale Middle School, Horizonte Learning Center, First Book, Utah Children’s Reading Foundation, Reading Tree, Harmons, and McDonald’s.

Visit facesutah.org for more pictures of these events.

Hip Hop 101

Hip Hop 101 and Spy Hop Production has partnered up to provide a unique opportunity to those students who complete Hip Hop 101 program. Once the students complete the Hip Hop 101 program; they can go to Spy Hop Productions to record a track of their own rap or song.

View more photos of the tour on our F.A.C.E.S. Utah website.

I learned of the F.A.C.E.S program by running for Miss Teen Salt Lake City. I was looking for sponsors when I heard that the F.A.C.E.S program helps develop youth leaders. The staff of the F.A.C.E.S program personally donated some money which allowed me to participate in the pageant. Through my experience in the pageant, it helped me gain confidence and desire to know that I could contribute to the F.A.C.E.S program and make a difference.

The reason why I decided to volunteer for the F.A.C.E.S program is because I have a passion for the youth.  As a young adult myself, I believe that we should have more programs for the youth. I am excited to be a part of this program because I want to learn more about what I can do as an individual to help my community. I have experience helping with the Six Tribes One Vibe performance, volunteering at the Redwood Food Bank, and helping organize one of the Worldwide Organization of Women conferences; all centered in Salt Lake CAP. I am looking forward to building my communication skills and learning to work with others.

For the past two weeks, Hip Hop 101 has been a fixture at both Kennedy and Kearns Junior High School’s after school program. On Tuesdays, Marvin (the project creator) instructs a group of 8 – 10 participants at Kennedy Junior High School. On Thursdays, he teaches the same class to another 8-10 participants at Kearns Junior High School. So far, feedback from both staff and students have been positive and encouraging. Marvin is planning a field trip for his students to Spy Hop Productions within the next few weeks.

On Monday, I had a meeting with the Boys and Girls Club of Murray to discuss my program. The meeting went very well and I will be starting my program next Monday, September 21st . This coming Thursday, I will be starting my program at the Life Start Village. I am really looking forward to everything starting to pull together. I can’t wait to meet all the kids and I am looking foward to this positive experience.

The last few days have brought a lot of good news. I have a meeting at the Boys and Girls club this coming week to discuss my project and hopefully I will be carrying out my project there soon. I am also hoping to start at the Life Start Village this next week. I am pretty excited about finally finishing up everything so that I can start my program. I am really looking forward to making a difference.