Program: O'Keefe Family Center
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Mission: To share God's love in the neighborhoods of East Palo Alto through building relationships, sharing resources, and inviting people to become part of a transforming community.
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Description: For the past several decades, the city of East Palo Alto has been affected by profound poverty, lack of education, and crime, even once claiming the notorious title as the "murder capital" of the U.S. Moved by these needs and convicted by their Christian faith, a group of young adults moved into the O'Keefe neighborhood in the mid-90s to live and develop relationships with the residents of EPA. This trend of young adults and students relocating to serve has persisted to this day, and it is now the heartbeat of our organization.
The Family Center was officially incorporated in 2005, running free academic tutoring, mentorship, and skills-learning programs for community members of all ages. For nearly 20 years, the vision of the ministry on O'Keefe has been kept alive by dedicated volunteers, community partners, and of course, the residents themselves.
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Field Updates 2014
Outcome
Six high school students in East Palo Alto, CA, participated in the O'keefe Family Center Teen Mentorship Program during the 2013-14 school year. Over the course of the year, the high school students volunteered with our tutoring program, weekly providing academic assistance to elementary and middle school students in the community. In addition, the teens divided up into two groups, and each group pursued a project to raise awareness about a social justice issue of their choosing. One group sought out to dispel the public's misconceptions about East Palo Alto, doing so through interviewing various community leaders and developing a video that highlighted the assets of their community. The second group conducted research into the issue of domestic violence, and also created a video that both raised awareness about the issue and empowered viewers to take positive action. The TFish Grant was used to provide a small monthly stipend to each of these students.
Six high school students in East Palo Alto, CA, participated in the O'keefe Family Center Teen Mentorship Program during the 2013-14 school year. Over the course of the year, the high school students volunteered with our tutoring program, weekly providing academic assistance to elementary and middle school students in the community. In addition, the teens divided up into two groups, and each group pursued a project to raise awareness about a social justice issue of their choosing. One group sought out to dispel the public's misconceptions about East Palo Alto, doing so through interviewing various community leaders and developing a video that highlighted the assets of their community. The second group conducted research into the issue of domestic violence, and also created a video that both raised awareness about the issue and empowered viewers to take positive action. The TFish Grant was used to provide a small monthly stipend to each of these students.
An end-of-the-year party was held to celebrate the successful completion of the teen program and the tutoring program. The party featured prizes for the children, decoration of thank you cards for the tutors, an epic water balloon fight, and plenty of craziness. Our programs would not have been possible without the generous support from the TFish Fund and, of course, the dedication of our volunteers!
Meet the teens and their mentors who made this year's program a huge success! Each of the teens were matched with a mentor, who provided academic and spiritual support to the teens over the course of the year. Special kudos to Sandra and Gustavo for being accepted into colleges for next year, and to mentors Liz and Aimee for encouraging them through the process
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As part of their "social justice projects", Gustavo, Juan, and Jasmine produced a powerful video dispelling myths about their community of East Palo Alto. EPA carries a bad rep among outsiders, so these teens sought out to highlight the assets and strengths of their city.
Upon conducting countless interviews - involving their friends, community physicians, non-profit leaders, and even the mayor - the teens succeeded in creating this beautiful video. Every week, the teens gathered at the tutoring center to help the younger students in the neighborhood with their homework. Through this service activity, we tried empowering the teens and help them realize that they have lots to offer back to their community. The teens did a wonderful job tutoring the younger students, who looked up to them as their role models. |
Field Updates 2013
The O'Keefe Family Center helps children get in touch with their spiritual sides. Above, Ms. Tammy and Johnny teach some of the younger students Bible lessons.
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The O'Keefe Center holds a number of activities for younger children. Above, Tuan, Shanice, Anael and their college peers are leading an activity to teach the kids about the human body.
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Manhattan, O'Connor, and O'Keefe youth joined together to sing at BCM's Christmas Open House. In the above picture, Mama and Papa Owen look on proudly. O'Keefe also organizes Christmas caroling during the holidays!
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The whole group got together at the Center for a special brunch and bible study activity! Looks like everyone had fun!
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Field Updates 2012
At the core of Family Center's programs is the tutoring program for elementary and middle school students. Twice a week, students receive homework help and supplemental academic support from volunteers. Our volunteers come both from the community and from the neighboring Stanford University. After an hour of tutoring, tutors hang out, play, and build relationships with our students!
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The Family Center has a close, long-standing partnership with Bayshore Christian Ministries, an organization that serves holistic - academic, physical, spiritual, and relational - needs of youth in East Palo Alto and East Menlo Park. Thanks to BCM's support, our students get to participate in awesome summer camps and learn about the Bible on a weekly basis.
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In March of this year, some of our teens got to visit an NBA basketball game between the Golden State Warriors and Houston Rockets. There, they reconnected with Jeremy Lin, who used to volunteer tutor at the Family Center before he left the Bay Area for college. Thanks to TFish's support, the Family Center will be able to continue its mentorship program for the teens in our neighborhood.
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In May, our students got to visit Stanford University as part of their end-of-year celebration. There, they got to dine with current Stanford students and receive a tour of the beautiful campus. Our hope was to expose our youth to a world outside of their neighborhood and inspire them to pursue big dreams.
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