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In 2009 Payless Gives Shoes 4 Kids Program, a grass roots campaign, will deliver $1.2 million in free shoes to children of families in need. On behalf of the kids and families of APCH - thank you

A message from Doug Atchison

Employees of Time Warner Cable collected back to school supplies, backpacks, clothing and other necessary items for to APCH members. The week before school started they held a reception at APCH to meet the students and their families and distribute the school supplies and clothing. We are most thankful to Time Warner Cable and their employees for their generosity and thoughtfulness.

Los Angeles Clipper Marcus Camby took part in a very reading timeout at APCH. Following the reading session each child in attendance took part in an autograph session and received books, and school supplies as part of the Clippers Read to Achieve program. The goal of the Los Angeles Clippers Read to Achieve program is to build a lifelong love of reading in young people by providing greater access to books and technology while encourage families and adults to read regularly with young children. Thank you Marcus and the Los Angeles Clippers - you are making a difference

After an extensive search and preparation period, on September 8th, 2009, APCH welcomed Jonathan Zeichner as the new Executive Director. Jonathan brings a strong commitment to the mission and values of APCH, along with decades of experience developing programs for underserved young people to expand their lives and develop as agents of positive change in their communities. Jonathan is working closely with the board and staff to develop a new strategic plan and vision for the next APCH chapter.

In SeptemberAPCH also welcomed Doug Atchison as Chairman of the Executive Board. Doug came to APCH ten years ago as a volunteer. Since then, he has been a mentor and founded the APCH Leadership Council. Doug has a strong desire to help every young person at APCH realize his or her full potential.

From January 6, 2009 through September 25, 2009 the APCH Nutrition Program served 52,590 meals.

APCH's Transportation Department picks up more than $1,000 worth of food weekly from Families Assistance Involving the Homeless (F.A.I.T.H.) Our Nutrition staff and volunteers pull together 130 bags full of organic products including assorted breads, tortillas, canned foods, beans, rice, fresh fruit, vegetables, milk, cheese, yogurt, and pastries from stores such as Whole Foods and Trader Joe's. The bags of food are distributed to the families in our community every Friday. Many of the products are also used in preparing the nutritious meals at APCH.

As always, A Place Called Home's Homework Assistance and Tutoring program has been very busy. Between the months of January and September, 375 members took advantage of APCH tutoring services, totaling in excess of 35,000 hours of tutoring so far this year. Homework Assistance and Tutoring are also offered during the summer months, helping members maintain and raise their grades and stay focused on their academic goals throughout the year.

In March 2009 in collaboration with Santee, we recruited 30 high-school juniors to participate in a new SAT preparation program at APCH. Each student took the test to establish a baseline, and then joined at APCH for two hours, twice weekly, over six weeks.

By the second week, the group had grown to 35 students, as excited participants recruited friends. Of the 35 students enrolled in the program, only four were already registered to take the SAT. Working with Santee to secure fee waivers, 100% of the enrolled students signed-up to take the May 2nd test.

With a growing waiting list, we expect more than 50 students to enroll in and complete the two seven-week SAT preparation classes we are offering from Sept - November 2009 and March - May 2010. The demand is great and the reach and success of this program is limited only by our resources.

Currently, through the APCH Shaheen Scholarship Program, 58 youth from South Central Los Angeles, most of them the first in their families to take the leap, are attending colleges and universities across the nation. In Spring 2009, eight Shaheen students graduated with degrees in areas that include Accounting, Animal Science, and Finance and Management. In Spring 2010, two more Shaheen Students will graduate with degrees from four-year universities. We are planning to expand our scholarship program to support greater numbers of students and we are considering providing support for graduate students.

This past school year marked a significant and exciting time for APCH. Two of our most ambitious members embarked on their final year of high school. 18-year old Elijah has been a member at APCH since he was eight. Noticeably bright from a young age, Elijah was determined to succeed and make his way to college. Having participated in virtually every APCH program over the years, Elijah flourished in the Bridge to the Future program and took an active role in Youth Leadership. Elijah helped organize and fund a 2007 trip to Sierra Leone, where a group of APCH members participated in the construction of a local school. After a stellar high school career, Elijah was accepted to several of the nation's top universities. Though it was a tough decision to make, he ultimately chose Colorado College and entered as a freshman in fall 2009 with a full scholarship. We can't wait to see what the future has in store for Elijah and we expect great things from him.

Though we've only known Gerica for four years, it seems like she's been with us a lifetime. One of our most outgoing and sociable members, Gerica brings a contagious energy and excitement to APCH. Like Elijah, Gerica showed determination from a young age and has played an active role in APCH filmmaking programs. This fall she headed to San Jose State, where she will, of course, major in film!

Elijah and Gerica have gained so much and brought so much back to APCH. They're two fine examples of how effective APCH programming can be.