FIRST WEEK COMMUNITY SERVICE INITIATIVE

March 5, 2008

Dear TPS Community,

Last month’s community service initiative collecting supplies for new moms was a success.  Thank you for all of the wonderful contributions of diaper bags, baby supplies, and toys.  The TPS community should be very proud of its efforts to support the varied needs of the Philadelphia community.

This month we are making a move to cross the border…we are going South.  A TPS staff member brought to our attention an organization called CODENI (Colectivo Pro Derechos de la Ninez), which serves children who live on the streets of Guadelajara.  These children typically find work selling potato chips, stickers, or flowers; they can also be seen juggling, playing music, or singing for money on buses or street corners.  CODENI offers these children the opportunity to receive an education that they would not otherwise have access to through academic scholarships.  Its program is designed in three phases:

Phase 1: Basic literacy classes and street outreach (visiting the poorest communities in Guadalajara to recruit families and children to enroll in the program).

Phase 2:  Literacy classes/homework assistance, daily educational workshops teaching children to recognize their rights, recreation, psychological evaluations and support, counseling, medical attention, legal services, field trips, monthly parent meetings.

Phase 3:  Case management and follow up services for children who have "graduated" from the program (those who no longer need the regular support of CODENI). 

There are currently 124 children enrolled in the program. CODENI has asked us to help meet its goals in helping these children by providing new or gently used

• school supplies (pencils, notebooks, crayons, folders, pens, markers, rulers, scissors)
• art supplies (construction paper, coloring books, paints)
• small toys (games, little plastic toys, balls, blocks, playing cards)
  

We will be collecting these items starting Monday, March 10, 2008 on the table set up in the lobby on the first floor coming in from the yard.

For more information on CODENI, check out their website. 

Thank you in advance for reaching out beyond the Philadelphia community to this very dedicated organization.

Warm regards,

Laureen Ryley