Thanks to Selina Rodriguez – Program Director of Pico Youth & Family Center (PYFC) for the following write up. Photos by Venice Paparazzi’s Edizen
This year, the Pico Youth & Family Center (PYFC) along with Checa Chic Boutique held its first ever Prom Giveaway. We wanted to award 5-10 seniors. To apply, the girls had to: 1.) attend either Santa Monica High School or Olympic High School, 2.) have a high GPA, 3.) involved with their school and/or community and 4.) Describe their leadership duties and goals/plans they have for after graduation.
2. Who was involved:
At first, we asked the community for “prom wear” donations. This included dresses, shoes, or accessories. We asked for new or slightly used dresses for the girls. Luckily, we not only received over 50 donated dresses, but we received a very helpful monetary donation from Arleen Torres, Writer and Santa Monica resident. She outreached for the event and in return was able to get $950 donated. As a result, we were able to purchase brand new dresses for 6 Santa Monica High seniors! Also, Arleen’s brother, Martino Torres helped do makeup on the girls and one of their mothers. Kate Minelian made customized boutonnieres and wrist corsages for the girls.
Weeks leading up to prom, other women approached PYFC Program Director, Selina Rodriguez and Patty Checa, Owner of Checa Chic Boutique and asked how they could help and provide their services. Several women provided their services: ——
Kelley Baker, owner of Kelley Baker Brow in Venice offered her salon and services. Make up and brows: kelley Baker and Shaila Paredes of Kelley Baker Brow
Hair by: Stephanie Hobgood Hair.
Airbrush spray tans by Alex and Chelsey of Lavish Tan.
Awesome make up gift bags from Donato Sepulveda @ SMASHBOX
Susan Yara Dayalan & Anna Jimenez of New Beauty Fred Segal, and Elena Severin Store manager for amazing gift bags filled with tons of beauty products
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3. About the non profit: (include profile and website)
The Pico Youth and Family Center (PYFC), is a non-profit organization in the City of Santa Monica . Our organization was founded in 2002 and we are committed to preventing youth violence. We serve hundreds of youth annually, ages 14-24 through case management, counseling, tutoring, job readiness training, leadership development, music, art and computer training. The PYFC is a positive alternative to the streets for many of Santa Monica ‘s youth who seek guidance, support and service. We have since, committed ourselves to the youth in our community and set up multiple programs to help promote, inspire and advocate change.
The PYFC’s mission to equip disenfranchised youth and their families with the leadership and advocacy skills needed to strengthen and sustain the community in which they live. To promote peace, unity, and social justice by modeling cooperation and advancing educational and economic opportunity. Through creative programs we will work to instill hope in our youth by engaging them in creating solutions to our community’s problems.
A critical component of our programming is our Ladies Empowerment Group.
PYFC’s Ladies Group is a safe space for the young females who attend Samohi, Olympic, and SMC and/or are from the community of Santa Monica . The ladies of PYFC are dedicated in improving the educational and mentorship opportunities, leadership empowerment, and civic engagement. The group promotes and encourages the development of our self-identity and unity among the women. PYFC’s goal is to equip them with the necessary tools for them to adjust in everyday situations and throughout their lives. We also want to generate within these girls a feeling of inner respect and love for themselves, while learning to be self-empowered. Meetings take place every Thursday from 3:45-5pm at the PYFC. PYFC Program Director, Selina Rodriguez facilitates these meetings and Patty Checa volunteers her time with the girls as well. Every third Thursday of the month, we hold a guest speaker series and meet at Checa Chic Boutique, which is located 3004 Lincoln Blvd. , Santa Monica .
http://checachicboutique.blogspot.com/
4.About the girls:
All of the girls who participated in our first ever PYFC Prom Giveaway attend Santa Monica High School . The 6 seniors will be graduating this June.
They are:
Kina Abe will be attending UC Berkeley in the fall. She is involved with the ‘Friends of Animals Foundation’ and the Police Activities League of Santa Monica and volunteers her time with the African American Society.
Kristen Zavala will be attending Santa Monica College in the fall. She is involved in Boys & Girls club and also volunteers her time with the Red Cross.
Carla Garcia will be attending California State University , Northridge this fall. She is involved in the “Ladies Empowerment Group” at the Pico Youth & Family Center , the MEChA club at SAMOHI and has also devoted her time to the St. Agatha Food Drive .
Viviana Sanchez will be attending UC Merced this fall. She is involved in various activities at her high school and within her community including Delians, Avid and church in Santa Monica . While also donating her time by working at the Brook Dale Senior Living retirement home located in the city of Santa Monica .
Stephany Villanueva will be attending UC Riverside this fall. She attends the “Ladies Empowerment Group” at the PYFC. She has also done community service at St. John’s since the sixth grade. The reason why she volunteers “we can share wonderful experiences with each other because we are all brothers and sisters.”
Monique Robinson will be attending Santa Monica College . She is involved the Police Activities League.
At Check Chic Boutique, Martino Torres helped do makeup on the girls and one of their mothers. He works for Hand 2 Face. Kate Minelian made customized boutonnieres and wrist corsages for the girls. She works for Kaleco Design. And Arleen Maria Torres is a writer. The three women who volunteered at their makeup and hair services at the boutique were: Candice , Brittany and Jordan.
For more information on this event, contact Selina Rodriguez. Program Director – Pico Youth & Family Center (PYFC) | 715 Pico Blvd. Santa Monica, CA 90405 | www.picoyouth.org
Click here to view all photos from this event. Photos by Venice Paparazzi.
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