We are thrilled to announce that our recent fundraising campaign was a great success! Thanks to our donors’ generosity, we raised enough funds to purchase books for each student in the Lennox Middle School Book Club, run by our Lumenary, María. The Lennox Middle School Book Club is an integral representation of our mission toContinue reading “Success for the LMS Book Club Campaign”
Author Archives: John Umekubo
Making Connections
Growing up, my parents often stressed the importance of getting to know others to build my “network.” Doing so would create these connections that might bring about opportunities related to future work or even joint projects because of some shared interest or passion. I didn’t realize the importance of networking then, particularly given my introvertedContinue reading “Making Connections”
Sensory Regulation Course
We shared the story of our Lumenary, Ms. Dudley, over one year ago. But as with everything pandemic related, it seems time moved slower than anticipated. As such, it’s taken until now to fulfill our gift to her. This past week, we completed three custom Sensory Regulation Courses on the campus of 156th Street ElementaryContinue reading “Sensory Regulation Course”
Paying It Forward
After experiencing an enjoyable hands-on lesson on the use of color through clay and paint, as taught by our Ember Project student, Zoë, the fourth-grade students at Buford Elementary School had a desire to share their newfound knowledge with others. Using surplus clay from their time with Zoë, students from Ms. Lewis’ 4th-grade class prepared anContinue reading “Paying It Forward”
Spreading the Joy of Art
Zoë, an eighth-grade student from Westside Neighborhood School with a love for art, shares her joy, excitement, and talents with fourth-graders at Buford Elementary School, in Lennox. Our first Ember Project recipient provided carefully curated art supplies in a kit for each student to use during her lesson. Read her full story here.
Heroes in the Making
In our search for Lumenaries (educators) and SparQs (students), we seek out individuals doing incredible work for communities in need. Most often, the projects these heroes engage in are long-lasting, working with these communities year over year and touching many lives. As we share their stories and good work, we catch but a glimpse ofContinue reading “Heroes in the Making”
Lifelong Warriors
Yesterday, March 26, the LumenSparQ board joined El Camino College students, faculty, administration, and community members on the “CommUnity Walk Against Hate” to support the fight against hate, racism, and intolerance. While the focus was on recent anti-Asian hate crimes, the event emphasized inclusivity and unity with people from all backgrounds. Before the walk, weContinue reading “Lifelong Warriors”
Our First SparQ – James Kanoff
James Kanoff is the co-founder of the Farmlink Project. In the early days of the pandemic, he and his friends had a simple idea. Let’s make a connection between a local farmer and our food bank. We rent a truck, take the excess produce off the farmer’s hands, and deliver it to the food bank. WithContinue reading “Our First SparQ – James Kanoff”
What History Can Teach Us
Eighty years ago today, on February 19, 1942, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed Executive Order 9066, authorizing the removal of all persons of Japanese ancestry (immigrants and U.S. citizens) from the West Coast of the United States for fear they might support Japan in the war. As a direct result of this Order, my parents’Continue reading “What History Can Teach Us”
Lennox Middle School Book Club
It’s after school on a Tuesday in February. The Lennox Middle School Book Club members have gathered around the table. Our Lumenary, María Saldaña, leads the discussion on two books they have recently read. The students, a blend of middle school ages, sit quietly at first. In her soft yet confident voice, María sets theContinue reading “Lennox Middle School Book Club”