We are thrilled to announce the 2023 Ember Project team: Phoebe, Lily, and Fia, eighth-graders at Westside Neighborhood School. These remarkable students are committed to raising awareness about teen homelessness and providing essential resources to support the young women at Safe Place for Youth (S.P.Y.). S.P.Y. is dedicated to empowering young people experiencing homelessness byContinue reading “2023 Ember Project Team”
Category Archives: News
A Visit with Naomi Lara
We are so pleased to introduce our newest Lumenary, Naomi Lara, principal of Da Vinci RISE High in Hawthorne. We recently had the opportunity to visit her and her incredible team at one of the three RISE campuses and were inspired by the dedication and compassion they demonstrate in supporting their students. With just aContinue reading “A Visit with Naomi Lara”
Success for the LMS Book Club Campaign
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”
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”
The Value of a Sensory Regulation Course
“What is it? It looks like a colorful play course!” inquired the after-school staff. I replied, “It is a sensory regulation course, and it is used to help students use it as a tool to regulate big emotions. “Wow, we need that, “ he said, “We have some kids with big emotions after school.” “ThenContinue reading “The Value of a Sensory Regulation Course”
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”