Get Involved

Dog Guardian Angel

2011-01-20T02:55:28Z

Since 2006, Lori Weise of Downtown Dog Rescue has been running free spay/neuter dog clinics in Compton's East Rancho Dominguez Park. On the second Saturday of each month, about 35 dogs who have appointments are fixed, vaccinated and microchipped.

Lori created this program specifically for Compton after hearing about the many strays in the area. She also learned that many locals want to have their dogs fixed, but they simply can't afford it, or do not have transportation to a clinic outside the neighborhood. Each dog that comes in costs about $100; Lori has support from the Heigl Foundation, PetSmart and private donations to hire the AngelDogs Foundation's mobile spay/neuter vehicle.

Dog Guardian Angel from Amy Tenowich on Vimeo.

To see Lori saving dogs on Skid Row, check out this video.

If you live in Compton and want to make an appointment for your dog, call 213-403-0129.

Edgar, 16, met Lori at a weekly dog training class at the LA Coliseum. He showed up trying to sell a pit bull puppy that was left behind after a neighbor's dogfighting ring was busted by cops. Lori remembers lecturing him on why selling a pit bull isn't a good thing, but was pleasantly surprised that Edgar then decided to keep the pup and come back to the class regularly so he could learn to be a responsible dog owner. She was also impressed that Edgar wanted to start volunteering at her clinics, especially since several people in Edgar's neighborhood tried to convince him to fight his new dog.

Instead, he now helps Lori spread the word that spaying/neutering not only helps reduce pet overpopulation, but is also beneficial for the health and well-being of a dog.

Looking Out for the Dogs -- Edgar from Amy Tenowich on Vimeo.

Mothering, From SoCal to Kenya

2010-11-09T05:47:10Z

What started out as a three-week volunteer trip to Kenya has turned into a mission for SoCal's Racquel Turner. She helps run a home for orphaned girls about 30 miles from Nairobi, where the age ranges from 1st grade to high school. Some of these girls are living with HIV, some were sexually abused before coming to the home - but now, the focus is on giving them the love, encouragement and education they need to ensure a brighter future, and to teach them how to believe that they are not defined by what happened to them in their pasts.

Racquel raises money via Facebook and Twitter, and personally takes it to Kenya several times a year to keep the home running, and to make sure the girls are placed in good schools. Even though most of her time is in Los Angeles, Racquel truly feels that in addition to her six children here, she now has 36 amazing Kenyan daughters.

Mothers Fighting For Others, from SoCal to Kenya from Amy Tenowich on Vimeo.

Check out Racquel's website at www.mffo.org

Special thanks to Jen Wall, Ashley Saunders, Juli Salvante and Racquel Turner for their photos and video.

What do you think? Have you ever done something to give back, and had it evolve into something bigger than you ever thought it would? Post a comment!

Leading by Following: Omar Morgan Guttie

2010-10-17T06:00:28Z

My blog is about recognizing people who are making a positive contribution. Sometimes, that's as simple as being true to who you are, even if you may stand out or get criticized for being different. But "different" makes the world interesting, and can even give others the confidence to embrace who they really are too.

I met the subject of this story, who definitely dances to his own tune, in the LA salsa scene (and folks: I love salsa! Check out my salsa site if you are up for a twirl). Omar Morgan Guttie struts his individuality on dance floors all over LA. He's well known in the salsa scene as the man who prefers to follow -- typically the female role. He does it with such panache and flair that women come to him for lessons on how to move more femininely, and spice up their own dancing.

Lately, there's been a lot in the news about how gay teens are more likely to attempt suicide and be the victims of bullying than their heterosexual peers. NPR recently did a story on the "It Gets Better" project, where gay people of all ages and walks of life are posting YouTube videos of encouragement to those who are being harassed because of the their sexual orientation. Omar's courage to follow makes him one heck of a leader, and an inspiration to anyone who may be timid about expressing him/herself.

video platform video management video solutions video player

What do you think? Please share your comments, and let me know about some people in your lives who are being true to themselves too. And visit Omar at his website if you'd like to learn more about him, or learn to dance.

Keeping Kids Safe

2010-10-05T23:50:56Z

PAZITIVE INFLUENCE: Sergio Paz runs a drop-in center for at risk youth in Lennox Park, just a stone's throw from LAX. Having grown up in Lennox, Paz knows firsthand that the community needs a place to keep kids safe from becoming involved in the rampant gang activity of the area. Though he doesn't have children of his own, he feels like a father to many kids who lack consistent male role models at home. And like a parent, he does this good work without pay. Christian, 17, makes Sergio's place one of his first stops after getting out of probation camp this same day. He and others see Sergio's center as a second home where they can go for advice, safety, and to be reassured that there is someone who cares about them and understands what they are going through -- no matter what kind of trouble they get into.

video platform video management video solutions video player

Check out my follow-up chat with Sergio Paz as well:

video platform video management video solutions video player

I'd love to hear what you think. Send me a comment and let me know!

It's Cool to Care: FixNation & The Need for Sterile Ferals

2010-08-25T22:56:24Z

First up: The good people at FixNation. Hi, my name is Amy Tenowich and welcome to It's Cool To Care. In this video blog I'll be hanging out with some awesome SoCal do-gooders who are making a difference in their communities. Maybe they'll inspire you to pitch in, or even just see the things around you with more open eyes.

The SPCA says that in 7 years, one female cat and her offspring can produce 420,000 cats! Caring folks who take the time to humanely trap homeless street cats have been bringing them to FixNation for free spaying/neutering since July 2007. Prior to FixNation, the founders ran bimonthly Best Friends Catnippers sterilization clinics, but realized that they needed a daily operation in order to really address the problem of more kitties than homes. These wild colonies of cats often start when people either abandon their tame, unaltered felines, or when they let them roam. Spayed/neutered cats also live longer, and have a lower incidence of cancers and infections.

Visit the FixNation's website and learn how to help some forgotten kitties in need!

video platform video management video solutions video player

What do you think? Tell me in comments, and feel free to share any stories! Also: Below is a video extra that answers the question: how do you trap a feral cat?

video platform video management video solutions video player

Amy Tenowich Bio

2010-08-25T22:39:26Z

Over the next several months, journalist Amy Tenowich will be guest video blogging at KCET.org about inspiring people who are making a difference in their communities.

Amy has worked as a freelance producer for non-fiction TV shows on Discovery HD Theater, WEtv, PBS and A&E Biography Channel. She's written for the LA Times, Pasadena Weekly, and has had humor op-ed columns in the LA Daily News and the Huffington Post. She won the 2006 Art Buchwald Humor Writing Award for her story about Los Angeles newswomen and their abundance of cleavage, spilling over anchor desks across the Southland. Amy also won an LA Press Club Award for a 2007 article on the Los Angeles salsa-dancing scene.

She did her undergrad in Anthropology at UCLA, and her Master's in Broadcast Journalism at USC. When not making web videos about cool people, Amy likes to eat free samples at Trader Joes, improvise in the kitchen, travel to far off lands to see wild primates, and tear up the dance floor to salsa music.

Amy hopes to keep the insightful giggles going throughout her journalistic career, and to keep finding like-minded people who think it's cool to care.

Grunions Running? Get Involved!

2010-04-02T22:14:11Z

Every week, KCET will be bringing you ways to GET INVOLVED in your community. We believe that just one person can always be an agent of change, but we also believe that by coordinating our efforts and connecting around things we care about we can make a huge difference. Building a better L.A. starts with you, so get informed, get out there, volunteer, and spread the word!

In honor of the upcoming Grunion Run, this week we are bringing you learning and volunteering events catered especially for lovers of animals, be they creatures of the land, air or sea. Watch the grunions make their way to shore, then make your way to a local shelter and help some creatures who make L.A. their home all year long.

]]> The Grunion Greeter Project March-April
For the next two months, you are not allowed to catch grunions as they make their way to shore, but that doesn't mean you should miss out on watching their arrival. The Cabrillo Marine Aquarium has guided observations of the fish as they emerge from the ocean to spawn. Go give the grunions an appropriate picture-taking-L.A. welcome!

Rabbit Care @ Pet Save
For all the bunny lovers out there, imagine a volunteering gig that involved mostly playing with the rabbits? Perfect? Well, the Pet Save Foundation (site here) lets you do just that. You, do, of course have to a bit of bunny-grooming and some other cleaning, so wear old clothes that you do not mind getting dirty. Visit the L.A. Works page for more information about age requirements and signing up.

Los Angeles Animal Services
If you're interested in more than bunnies, consider becoming a volunteer with Los Angeles Animal Services (site here). They want volunteers who "are committed, caring and responsible to truly make a difference in the lives of the abandoned and homeless animals in our care."

Furry Fun @ Friends of Animals
For this project, volunteers have to be at least 18 years of age. Twice a month, volunteers "walk dogs, feed cats and socialize with the animals, bringing some positive energy to the shelter as the animals wait for a new home." It is indeed a day of 'Furry Fun!' Don't have time to volunteer but still want to help? Friend of Animals Foundation has a Wish List up on its site with items that kind-hearted individuals can drop off.

Adventure with Apes @ The Gibbon Center
Once a month, volunteers head over to the Gibbon Center, a sanctuary for the endangered small ape, the gibbon. This nonprofit facility located in Santa Clarita welcomes volunteers who want to help maintain the grounds and ensure a safe and healthy environment for the gibbons. Volunteers clear brush and trim trees to guard against fire, assist with maintenance of the grounds and build and repair the wooden structures that house the gibbons. Volunteers are also provided with a 30-minute tour of the facility. Learn more about being a volunteer here and about the Gibbon Center here.

With so many ways to Get Involved, making L.A. a better home for animals is sure to be fun!

We want to see you and your group GET INVOLVED and make L.A. a better place. Upload your pictures to the KCET.org Southern California Flickr Pool and follow us on Twitter so you can tweet your experiences. We also want to hear from you here! Did you go to an event? What did you think? Do you know of any volunteering event happening in Los Angeles? Share your thoughts and GET INVOLVED.

Image by Flickr user kalavinka using a Creative Commons License.

-Yoli Martinez

Get Involved for the Spring Equinox

2010-03-22T18:26:48Z

Every week KCET will be bringing you ways to GET INVOLVED in your community. We believe that one person can an agent of change, and with so many people living in Los Angeles, we can make a huge difference. Building a better L.A. starts with you, so go out there, volunteer, get informed, and spread the word!

In honor of the Spring Equinox (March 20), we bring you learning and volunteering events catered just for you. Help L.A. be a more beautiful place for spring while having fun at the same time!

Los Angeles is known for its eclectic group of residents and many of them are leading the way to an L.A. that is cleaner and greener. With a variety of ways to participate in the Green revolution, it is no surprise that making L.A. green is "in" right now. So check out these events and GET INVOLVED. Be green for spring. All the cool people are doing it...

Green Life Style Film Festival March 19, 2010
First up is the 4th Annual Green Life Style Film Festival, the only vegan based film festival in the country. It is the perfect mash up of L.A. flare and green sustainability. Films screened will focus on green, food, and health issues. The weekend long event will feature a green carpet (green filmmakers need time in the spotlight too!), gourmet green chefs, live food demos, out door stage entertainment, music, and Q&A's with filmmakers. Learn about Green issues in this very L.A. setting. What better way to learn about the changes we can make to prevent more damage than with a great vegan meal and a little bit of movie magic? For more info and tickets, visit Green Life Style Film Festival's site.

Nothin' But Sand Beach Cleanups March 20, 2010
Our good friends at Heal the Bay are hosting their once-a-month beach cleanup. This month volunteers will head over to Dockweiler Beach (map here) to pick up trash and leave nothing but sand on the beach. This is a rewarding hands-on experience that leaves you dirty, but the beach clean. Make a tangible difference in our Santa Monica Bay beaches and enjoy the outdoors.

Community Tree Planting March 27, 2010
Find yourself in the Valley next weekend? Why not join Million Trees L.A. and Council member Dennis P. Zinehost in Woodland Hills and plant trees? Million Trees L.A. was created after a promise by Mayor Villaraigosa to plant a million trees in Los Angeles back in 2007. With canopy cover in Los Angeles 6% below the national average (which is 27%), every tree planted makes a difference. To volunteer contact MTLA at (213) 473.9950 or email Lisa.Sarno@lacity.org. Do not forget to check out the Million Trees L.A. site for more information.

Car Free Friday March 27, 2010
Making L.A. beautiful again for Spring is all about taking action.Participate in Car Free Fridays on the last Friday of every month. Not only will you be reducing green house gasses by taking one more car of the street, but you will also get to see L.A. in a whole new light! Be part of the movement and ride your bike to work, school, a party, to eat, and to a green event! Not only are you helping L.A. be greener and cleaner, but you will also be healthier and stronger too. L.A. Bike has a list of participating businesses here. Remember: Nothing stops you from riding your bike more than once in a month. So, save money and have fun.

USC Eco-Friendly Fashion Show April 1, 2010
The University of Southern California's ALIVE (Always Living In View of the Environment) organization reminds green minded individuals that being green for spring is also about making personal changes. That is why they present the 3rd Annual Eco-Friendly Fashion Show. Taking place at USC's McCarthy Quad, the show aims to inform attendees about the affordability of green clothes and fashion. In a place like L.A. where appearance is everything, learning about sustainable clothes can make a huge change.

Image by Flickr user Fire Monkey Fish found in our Southern California Flickr Pool using a Creative Commons License.

-KCET Yoli

Crisis Camp at Gov 2.0 LA Conference

2010-02-07T21:56:51Z

It is easy to feel overwhelmed by the massive tragedy of Haiti; when something of that magnitude strikes, we are unsure of what we can offer besides a check. Well, there is a lot we can offer. For weeks now, Crisis Camps have been popping up internationally: all-day events that bring together smart activist types who design, organize, and collaborate on technology projects aimed to help relief efforts in Haiti. The effort continues this weekend at the Gov 2.0 LA Conference. Since these events have been ongoing check out the status of projects online before heading down to the conference.

FREE

For more information, click here.

This image was taken by flickr user leslie jenkins. It was used under the Creative Commons License.

CAST Clothing / Essential Items Drive and Human Trafficking Awareness Event

2010-01-30T18:55:34Z

Please join us on January 30th in order to learn more about human trafficking and ways you can get involved from various organizations in attendance including Coalition to Abolish Slavery and Trafficking (CAST), Stop the Traffik / OasisUSA and others.

In addition, please bring items for our clothing / essential items drive. All donations will go to CAST clients (former victims of human trafficking in Los Angeles).

What You Can Donate:
• Clothing of any kind (especially children's clothing)
• Toiletries (shampoo/conditioner, toothpaste, deodorant, feminine hygiene products, toilet paper, soap, etc)
• Diapers
• Laundry Detergent
• Bus Passes
• Gift cards to grocery and other stores

Enjoy live music from local musicians while you drink coffee and support a local business. Jameson Brown Coffee Roasters even offers free Wi-Fi.

We are also trying to raise awareness of CAST's new 24-Hour Human Trafficking Hotline (888) KEY 2 FRE(EDOM) (888-539-2373)

Please bring friends and invite others. The more people who get involved, the better this event will be!

For more information, visit the website: http://www.castla.org

Photo from Victor C.M.'s photostream on Flickr.

How Can You Help in 2010?

2010-01-23T18:47:20Z

Do-gooding is in vogue right now. So be fashionably altruistic this weekend at the How Can You Help in 2010? fair. The event brings together 50 local non-profits, from Guerrilla Gardeners to Bicycle Coalitions, for you to focus your do-good energy on.

City Labs says:

Join City Labs to answer the call for community service in this great city. With a huge rise in the need for services from non-profits, and a drastic drop in funding and donations, LA's community organizations need our help. Come to this fun one-day fair to browse, discover and connect with 50 local non-profits -- organizations doing great things who need your support to maintain sustainability. Imagine :: If a few thousand people each dedicate themselves to 3-5 non-profit groups (signing-up to volunteer, making donations, offering their skills, joining email lists), we'll have created over 10,000 new volunteers and donations in just one afternoon!!!

5 suggested entrance donation (which entitles you to a free drink and raffle ticket)

For more information, click here.

This image was taken by flickr user Lieven SOETE. It was used under the Creative Commons License.

Crisis Camp L.A.

2010-01-20T22:29:00Z

Bringing together tech savvy experts and first responders, Crisis Camp attempts to offer emergency services that help humanitarian effort. Crisis Camp L.A. is holding this volunteer event in order to assist in Haiti's relief efforts by providing data, information, maps and technical assistance to NGOs, relief agencies and the public. Non-tech savvy volunteers are welcomed and needed. For upcoming event location and information visit the website.

In the age of new media, staying connected to Haiti's relief efforts is easy.

The Red Cross has a Twitter feed constantly updating on what is needed and what is being done.

NPRNews Twitter has set up a special list for tweets on Haiti, here.

Facebook page Haitian Earthquake Relief is updating with news, new ways to help and resources available for those trying to contact family.

On a more local level California for Haiti's website offers informations, while their Facebook page updates with local events and helping business.

Get Involved in Health Care

2009-12-04T23:10:43Z

KCET invites you to help your community through service. Our weekly Get Involved page features ways for you to connect with organizations in need of a helping hand.

This week KCET features ways for you to serve people in poor health. Volunteering for the ill is a great way to help fellow Angelinos and appreciate your own health.

]]> Good Samaritan Hospital welcomes volunteers. They enable the hospital to provide a higher level of service and contribute to the comfort of our patients and visitors. Volunteers assist patients, visitors and staff in a variety of ways and have the opportunity to learn new skills. As a volunteer, you may could:

Escort and discharge patients
Deliver lab specimens
Assist with clerical duties
Perform data entry and word processing
Brush up on computer skills
Assemble patient charts
Visit and read to patients
Assist with special events.

For details click here, or to volunteer, call the Director of Volunteers at (213) 977-2091.

Pathways Volunteer Hospice is a non-profit volunteer organization dedicated to providing service to the terminally ill and providing compassionate support to grieving families.

Volunteer Opportunities

Hospice: Duties would include respite care, friendly visitor, transportation.
Caregiver: Duties might include respite, friendly visitor, transportation, grocery shopping, light housekeeping, handyman and yard work.
Bereavement: Duties may include monthly telephone calls, group facilitation, and one-on-one assignments.
Office: Duties include answering phones, addressing and stuffing envelopes, and miscellaneous office jobs.
Fund Raiser: Pathways volunteers assist with special events such as our Golf Tournament, Theatre Party and Light Up A Life tree lighting ceremony.

For information on required time commitments and a volunteer application, click here.

Childrens Hospital Los Angeles also has volunteer opportunities.

Volunteer Departments

Arts Program
Child Life
Guest Services
Special Care
Emergency Department
Reach Out and Read Program
Literally Healing Program
Gift Shop
Office Assistants

For volunteer descriptions and qualifications, click here.

This image was taken from Flickr user Christiana Care using the Creative Commons License.

Get Involved with the Environment

2009-11-18T00:31:39Z

KCET invites you to serve your community through service. Our weekly Get Involved page features ways for you to connect with organizations in need of a helping hand.

This week KCET features ways for you to give back while going outdoors. Volunteering to help the environment is a great way to make a lasting effect.

]]> On Saturday Heal the Bay offers its "Nothin' But Sand" beach cleanup. Each month the project takes place at a different beach between El Segundo and the Pacific Palisades. Heal the Bay is a nonprofit environmental organization dedicated to making Santa Monica Bay and Southern California coastal waters safe and healthy for people and marine life.

For more information on how you can volunteer for Nothin' But Sand, visit Heal the Bay.

The Franklin Canyon Park Transformation needs your help with its ongoing effort to maintain the park. Participate in a major park upgrade by maintaining the trails, removing invasive plants, rock replacement, planting native plants, painting benches and much more. The group also needs help widening trails and removing steps in certain areas to improve accessibility and make the park more disabled friendly.

Volunteers must be at least 13 years of age and wear clothes they can get dirty. You can find a detailed map of Franklin Canyon Park to help you find the project by visting LA Works.

You can also donate your time to The Ballona Wetlands Land Trust. This group is a non-profit community organization dedicated to the acquisition, restoration and preservation of one of the last remaining wetlands ecosystems in Southern California.

On the second Saturday of each month from 9:30AM to 3:30PM, volunteers are needed to help remove non-native plants and trash. Volunteers then invited to go on guided eco-tours offered by local biologists and ecologists. Bring water, gloves, clothes for hard work, and your energy & enthusiasm!

Click here for more information on The Ballona Wetlands Land Trust event coming up on December 12, 2009.

This image was taken from Flickr user C1ssou using the Creative Commons License.

Get Involved for Veterans Day

2009-11-11T18:00:00Z

KCET invites you to serve your community through service. Our weekly Get Involved page features ways for you to connect with organizations in need of a helping hand.

This week KCET features ways to celebrate Veterans Day and support troops past and present.

]]> Welcome Back Veterans is a group that helps current Vets transition back into daily life stateside. The group specifically focuses on mental health issues Vets face including Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Welcome Back Veterans gives everyday Americans the tools they need to make a difference, has national network of clinics to provide care, and funds groundbreaking research to limit the scope of PTSD. To find out how you can help, visit Welcome Back Veterans' website.

Blue Star Families is an organization that support military families through service programs. Volunteers for its Books on Bases program read to and distribute free books to military children. Other participants create care packages for Families Back Home, which sends morale and support to the spouses and children of deployed service members. Visit Blue Star Families for more information.

The Volunteer Transportation Network links volunteer drivers with those seeking care from the Veterans Administration. Volunteers provide transportation to veterans using a privately-owned conveyance or a government-owed vehicles. For more information visit the Volunteer Transportation Network's volunteer page.

Give an Hour is a national nonprofit organization providing free mental health services to members of the military, veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan, their families and their communities. Currently, there are more than 4,400 licensed mental health professionals volunteering their time on the Give an Hour network. To find out how to help the program visit Give an Hour's website.

National Military Family Association educates military families about the rights, benefits and the services available to them. It also provides information about the issues that affect their lives and promotes and protects their interests by influencing the development and implementation of legislation and policies affecting them. To find out how to participate, visit the National Military Family Association website.

The Veterans Administration provides patient care to veterans and helps them get the services they have earned. To volunteer, visit the VA of Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System's website.

This image was taken from Flickr user deltaMike using the Creative Commons License.