News
By Daniela Ogden, Communications Intern at Saint Vincent de Paul of Alameda County
June 28, 2005
OAKLAND , CA , June 28, 2005-- This summer low-income Oakland parents face the problem of what to do with their out of school children. With elementary schools cutting back summer school programs and the high cost of day camps, many parents feel stuck. The Society of Saint Vincent dePaul of Alameda County has come up with a solution for this problem - art. The Visitation Center in downtown Oakland is partnering with the Drawbridge program; a free drop-in program that teaches children in poverty how to express themselves through art. Sister Marion, who runs the Visitation Center , expects a strong turn-out, "last summer we had so many children because the Oakland public schools cancelled summer school. This year we are expecting a similar response." Children in Drawbridge channel their energy into something positive; empowering them to become active participants in their community. For some youngsters, a drawing allows them to express themselves in a way that words cannot; Sister Marion understands this, "they just open up once they get a crayon in their hand."
The Visitation Center is located at 2260 San Pablo Ave , Oakland , 94612. The classes are Fridays 10-12 and children ages five and up are welcome to join space permitting. For more information call Sister Marion at (510) 444-3790 or email her at Srmarion@svdp-alameda.org.
About St. Vincent de Paul of Alameda County
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul of Alameda County ( SVdP ) is a human services non-profit that conducts a variety of 37 parish programs designed to aid the needy in virtually every corner of Alameda County including food pantries, housing referrals, clothing distribution, spiritual support and other essential services.
SVdP is supported through donor contributions
and operates five thrift stores where merchandise is sold
or given away directly to those in need. The Society
also operates a Free Dining Room and two drop in centers that
provide laundry facilities, employment
opportunities , shower facilities, resource and referral and
other needed services to homeless and low-income men, women
and children in West Oakland . In 2002, more than 100,000
in need received services from The Society of St. Vincent
de Paul of Alameda County including 400,000 meals served from
the Free Dining Room.
For a feature article or information contact Daniela Ogden, Communications Intern at communityrel@svdp-alameda.org .