Page 46 September 2014 Volunteering with the kids By Jean Hodgson Fall is the time when there is a natural association of volunteering with the start of the new school year. Is there a better way to invest in the future than by helping children learn? Probably the most obvious way to do this is by spending time one-on-one or in a small group setting working on basic academic skills and providing individual attention and encouragement. You may think that you need prior teaching experience to do this, but training, materials and support are provided for volunteer tutors. Maybe you would prefer to help a school by using your experiences in another way. One principal I asked about this said the list of opportunities has lots of options: helping with clubs and fundraisers, & " planning special projects and assisting = You may also be asking, “Where do I even start to make a connection with a school that can use my desire to give back?” Besides directly contacting a " ' & = ' " Matters serves as a liaison between needs in schools and the interests and skills of adult volunteers. Visit their website: '= = Your career might have given you & = & _ for drama? The Screen Actors Guild Foundation sponsors a program called BookPALS with the goal of inspiring kids to love reading. Volunteers engage students’ interest by creatively presenting and reading books to them. Their related program, PencilPALS, also incorporates writing to improve literacy. Learn more at: bookpals.net. Retired engineers can assist students with bringing the importance of math, science, technology and engineering to life in a hands-on glider project called AWIM (A World In Motion). Over a period of ten weeks, students work with volunteer engineers and their teachers to design, _ % creations. Details are available from the #& ( = org. Often it takes some research and experimentation to discover the right match for your interests and the desire to volunteer in a meaningful way, but one thing you can be assured of – you will also and effort you invest. IT’S THE YOU MAKE IMPRESSION AND THE YOU SHARE LOVE 1st Place, Senior Living Category National ASID Design for Excellence Award RESORT STYLE AMENITIES 3 RD MONTH RENT FREE Offer Expires September 30 Private Suites as large as 1280 sf 480.300.4700 3200 E. Glenrosa Ave. Assisted Living & Memory Care COOL SPACES WARM HEARTS
Page 47 September 2014 Local artist turns trash to treasure for art and education By Christina Surrano After working as a resident art teacher in public schools, local ceramic and weaving artist, Sherrie Zeitlin became frustrated by the lack of funds and materials provided to art teachers. To keep the arts in the community, she opened The Art Resource Center (ARC) in a 430 square-foot space in Phoenix 10 years ago. This was made possible with her own funds along with personal and donated materials. ARC now resides in a 2,000 square-foot space in Tempe and provides materials for organizations across the valley at no charge. “Two weeks ago, I had two (new hire) teachers come in. They have an empty room, no money and no supplies,” reported Zeitlin. ARC relies solely on cash and material donations as well as a couple of volunteers to keep the doors open. When valuable goods are donated which cannot ' " posts them on the company Facebook page and sells them to help pay ARC’s rent. When asked why ARC does not charge a small fee for membership or materials " replied, “Always free, always will be, for all sorts of reasons.” Professional artists, art students or other individuals not in service of a materials also. Such individuals are invited to make a small donation for materials taken. Patrons visiting ARC are greeted in the front of the space by a plethora of art pieces, creatively fashioned from cast offs, such as Victorian style doll furniture made from soda cans, cardboard box & from a skateboard. One of Zeitlin’s own, a large sculptural weaving of repurposed material, adorns a wall as well. Posted on the Facebook page are types of predictable and not-so-predictable materials most in demand. Even highly unusual donations like electric guitar parts, skylights and photo slides have been received with gratitude. When in doubt, a potential donor can always call and ask before throwing an item away. The creative ways in which Zeitlin uses the materials are delightful and she occasionally teaches classes at the center on various techniques such as box loom weaving and how to fashion rings from old telephone wire. For more information on the The Art Resource Center go to www. artresourcecenter.org. Maybe YOUR home is the next... Contact editor@arcadianews.com All Faiths Welcome • Pre-K through Eighth Grade • Financial Aid Available All Saints’ Episcopal Day School 6300 North Central Avenue Phoenix, Arizona 85012 602.274.4866 www.aseds.org Visit our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/PhoenixASEDS Educating Children Head to Soul A Personal visit is the best way to learn about All Saints’. Contact the Admissions Office to schedule a tour today. 602.274.4866 Limited Space Available in Select Grades