GFWC PROGRAM EDUCATION AND LIBRARIES

Literacy, Continuing Education, Learning Disabilities
Support of Local Schools, Scholarships, Literacy & Library Programs,
HOBY (Hugh O’Brien Youth Leadership Program)

GFWC members promote education in both children and adults. We aim to help others, while we also continue to learn. Projects in the Education and Libraries Community Service Program are designed to foster schools, as well as other educational institutions and opportunities, and to promote literacy, libraries, and the love of a good book. Through these efforts, we encourage the growth of individuals and communities at home and around the world.

Activities are designed to increase awareness of low literacy rates and the problems it causes; the need of mentoring; the plight of those with learning disabilities; and need for leadership skills and the value of supporting our libraries.  We participate in a broad array of projects to promote lifelong education and literacy throughout our community.

Our Club focuses on Scholarships and projects raising awareness of adult and youth literacy and continuing education programs especially among women.

Some of our Projects Include:

  • Scholarships (including History & District) 
  • Providing school supplies to after-school programs
  • Donating books to high need groups
  • Fundraising in support of libraries, schools and scholarships
  • Friends of the La Crescenta Library (volunteering & donation of books, publications, media)
  • La Crescenta Library donations and holiday & summer activities/story times
  • Freedom Alliance Scholastic Fund
  • Educational Presentations
  • The Campbell Center (adult developmental disabilities -residential, vocational and educational programs) 
  • Wildlife Learning Center 
  • Smart-A-Thon (Community Educational Endowment Fund)
  • College Event  (Co-hosted scholarship training workshop for parents)
  • Girl Scout Sponsorship
  • Library Donations
  • Salvation Army Zone School Program
  • HOBY (Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership (HOBY)   http://www.hoby.org/
  • Labels and Box Tops for Education, and collected) 
  • Freedom Alliance Scholastic Fund
  • CV High School Printing Design Class
  • Box Tops for Education –Box tops donated to local schools
  • Sponsor high school students on community projects with our club
  • Wall Maps & globes purchased for local elementary school
  • During Women’s History Month, many books were donated to library & local schools
  • Flag ceremony presentation conducted with students
  • National Libraries Week- Libraries Book Drives
  • Adopt a Teacher 
  • Promote reading for youth
  • County Bookmark Contest; Judged the Contest & created hand outs for children
  • Book donations
  • NEA Read Across America Day; America Reads Challenge
  • Exchange Student Sponsorship, member hosts

Scholarships

The Scholarship Committee meets & spends time planning, printing, visiting the local high schools, interviewing applicants & going over Scholarship Application forms.  The Committee selects students, notifies them by letter, and invites them to our Clubhouse to receive their award.  We hold a Student Festival for our Scholarship Students and their parents and present the awards.

When we are able, our Club PR chairperson attends the High School scholarship award ceremony in support of our scholarship winners.  

We also support our San Gabriel Valley District by donating to their Scholarship Fund.

ESO

Epsilon Sigma Omicron (ESO) is an honorary educational society where clubwomen are given direction in planned reading for self-enrichment and personal growth.  ESO provides clubwomen with a structured reading program that is educational and stimulates a desire for self-improvement. Any member can participate in ESO as part of a reading group, or on their own. The program provides membership, awards and certificates, reading lists, and a framework in which to pursue continued self-improvement through reading.

College Event

We have co-hosted a College Event with College Planning Experts, a “No parent left behind” scholarship training workshop for parents who are navigating the college entrance process. This workshop discussed the pitfalls of filling out forms for entrance into college.   Coffee was served and members baked cookies to serve.   Prior to our Event, members spent time at a local College Fair, passing out information for our college event in November.  Members went to local schools to talk to counselors.

HOBY – Hugh O’Brian Leadership Seminar

HOBY aims to inspire and develop our global community of youth and volunteers to a life dedicated to leadership, service, and innovation.  HOBY programs provide students who are selected by their school Principal to participate in unique leadership training, service-learning and motivation-building experiences.  La Crescenta Woman’s Club has sponsored students for many many years. We value and recognize the importance of helping our youth to make a difference for positive change.  Most years, our members attend HOBY graduation ceremony.

 

Smart-A-Thon

Members participate in the annual Smart-a-thon held at our local hospital.  Hosted by civic leader Mary Pinola and the CV Chamber of Commerce, the event is a fundraiser for The Mary Pinola/Crescenta Valley Chamber of Commerce Educational Endowment Fund.  The fund was created in order to provide grants for non-profit agencies in our area dedicated to health and education.

Sharing of Women’s History

At occasional Club business meetings, during the Federation portion of the club reports, the Women’s History & Resource Chairperson presents a historic woman of merit, with a brief sound bite to entice the members to read a more in depth article as the meeting progresses.  In our monthly Bulletin, she shares Biographies of magnificent women in History.