Corporations often play a role in addressing community issues, but often do so in opaque ways. The focus of this session will be to uncover what corporations can and are doing for the community. KidUnity will meet at California Pizza Kitchen where the students will discuss CPK’s local and national community programs. Students will then make pizzas with CPK chefs for a local homeless shelter. The session will conclude with students delivering and serving their pizzas to a local homeless shelter.
This session will introduce the students to the Santa Monica City Council and illuminate the role of local government. Students will have an opportunity to advocate to City Councilmembers and city staff about the social challenges that the students encountered and learn about the roles local government plays in addressing these challenges. The session will end with students writing a grant proposal to fund a need in the community.
Santa Monica Community Explorer Fall 2015
Host a pizza party for homeless children at Upward Bound House or advocate in front of the Santa Monica City Council! KidUnity's Community Explorer program provides exciting opportunities for students to explore and serve their community through professionally curated service learning projects.
APPLY HERE (pdf should be e-mailed to peter@kidunity.us)
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Tuesdays: 3:15-4:45 (Sept 29, Oct 6, 13, 20, 27, Nov 3, 10). One special session on Sept 20 will be for students and families. Parents are welcome to attend our final session at the Santa Monica City Council.
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Grade: 5
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Teachers: Peter Sheehy and David Snow
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Room: KidUnity frequently meets off campus (program fee includes transportation).
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Enrollment: 15 students
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Fee- $325
* All session, lesson plans and locations are subject to change based on partner organization schedules. Please consult the Kidunity.us website in advance of each session for an up-to-date schedule!
Arts and Community
Our kick-off at the Annenberg Theatre in Beverly Hills on Sunday, September 20th will set the stage for KidUnity’s approach to learning, doing, and giving. The session will feature a fun hands-on, team-building activity. In addition, a founding board member of the Theatre and prominent community activist will speak about the important role of theatres in the community and provide the students with a framework of giving that the students will apply throughout the program. Governor Davis and his wife Sharon will be our hosts.
Family Homelessness
During our visit to Upward Bound House students will gain an understanding of the problem of homelessness in our community and strategies to address this problem. Students will help in the Upward Bound House food pantry and decorate an apartment for a homeless family. They will leave the session with food that will serve as their own family’s dinner that evening, and food for thought.
Corporate Philanthropy
Corporations often play a role in addressing community issues, but often do so in opaque ways. The focus of this session will be to uncover what corporations can and are doing for the community. KidUnity will meet at California Pizza Kitchen where the students will discuss CPK’s local and national community programs. Students will then make pizzas with CPK chefs for a local homeless shelter. The session will conclude with students delivering and serving their pizzas to a local homeless shelter..
Government and Policy
This session will introduce the students to the Santa Monica City Council and illuminate the role of local government. Students will have an opportunity to advocate to City Councilmembers and city staff about the social challenges that the students encountered and learn about the roles local government plays in addressing these challenges.
National Politics and Local Issues
The presidential primary provides a great opportunity to explore the connections between the needs of our local community and the policies of the major presidential candidates. KidUnity will meet with local representatives of the Democratic and Republican parties and consider the ways in which major candidates could impact our community. Students will then formulate policy proposals that they will present to the Santa Monica City Council.
Spotlight on Community
This session will teach the fundamental tools of social investigation. KidUnity will meet at the offices of the Santa Monica Mirror and learn from the publisher and reporter about important community issues and how a local newspaper investigates and reports news. Students will have time to practice newly acquired interview skills with a panel of community leaders. Our concluding reflection will allow students to pitch story ideas and brainstorm about how such stories could be investigated, cumulating in a story which may be published in the SM Mirror!
Hunger
Based on the lessons learned at our visit to Upward Bound House, students will help out at the Westside Food Bank and develop a deeper understanding of the issues surrounding hunger and food insecurity.
Heal the Bay
KidUnity will partner with Heal the Bay, a leading local environmental agency to learn about the global, national and local environmental challenges we face. The students will tackle a project that will reinforce the urgency of these challenges in their own backyard. Students will leave the session equipped to teach younger students ways that they can have a positive impact on the community.