Thank You Volunteers!

We want to thank all our volunteers that volunteered in all our programs for Fall 2012. We wish you good luck on your finals and a Happy Holiday! Thank you again!

Inspirational Quote for the Week

“When I was a child my mother said to me, 'If you become a soldier, you'll be a general. If you become a monk, you'll be the pope.' Instead I became a painter and wound up as Picasso.”
- Pablo Picasso

Leadership Material

Connecting with Veterans

The children of the PODER After School Program in Allen Woods Homes were treated with a special guest on Tuesday. Sergeant Carlos Lujan served in the U.S. Marines Reserves for six years and toured Iraq for a year. He visited the children to talk to them about Veteran's Day and some history about the Marines. The children were welcoming to the veteran. Pictured above is Sgt. Lujan and the children. As one child puts it, "if you love your country, thank a vet!"

Before Veteran's Day weekend, the children made cards and letters to honor veterans.  On Friday, some of their cards were hand delivered to veterans that live in Allen Woods Homes. The rest were given to the VFW San Marcos Chapter where they were distributed prior to the Veterans Day Parade. Pictured above and to the left are some recipients of these cards. One veteran said, "I've been going through a lot lately, but receiving this card really made my day. These children really made my day." A small letter truly help bridge a large gap between two generations.

 

 

 

 

Volunteers Step Up

Our children weren't the only ones showing leadership material this week! Social Work volunteers that work with the PODER After School Program were asked to do a special extra assignment: created and managed the short activity for the day as well as homework time. Volunteers Julia, Susana, and Amanda didn't want to do the boring hand turkeys. Instead, they made templates of a turkey and feathers. On each feather, the children were able to write what they were thankful for this Thanksgiving. The children then glued their feathers and decorated their turkey to their liking. The children got very creative! Next, the volunteers assigned themselves and other volunteers to work with specific children to get that one-on-one tutoring experience. Great job girls on working together as a team and implementing the schedule! Giving our volunteers the freedom to get creative and the responsibilities to lead help make our after school program a success!     



 

VOLUNTEER PAGE TESTIMONIALS SOON TO BE ON OUR BLOG!

 

ASK A VETERAN

Here at the San Marcos Housing Authority, we have residents, young and old, that proudly served our country. We would like to give our audience a chance to ask them questions or just leave comments for us to pass it along to them!  Questions will be answered in the beginning of next week.

November 11
Happy Veteran's Day!

Pictured above are some Thank You letters written
 by the children of the after school program

 

Empowering Children with Responsibility and Fun

Children are naturally curious and most love animals. At the PODER Learning Center in Allen Woods Homes, we have introduced the curiosity, love, and responsibility of animals to the children's after-school program. Kevin Reyes, Vice President of the Allen Woods Resident Assembly and a resident of Allen Woods Homes, has donated two spotted catfish named Beebo and Meebo, a dragon goby named Wonton, an African dwarf frog named Mochi, and a few river fish along with plants to create a small ecosystem in our 10 gallon fish tank. He also provided signs written in a "kid friendly" manner that provide information about each fish and how to take care of our little friends!

  
During activity time, we gathered the children around the fish tank to introduce them to our new pets. Three of the older girls each read one of the signs and pointed out the animal in the tank. After reading each sign, questions would be asked to reemphasize what they learned.

Instructions were given to the children on how to read the thermometer to make sure the water in the tank is sufficient for the animals, what to do when they think a fish is sick, and why it is important not to tap on the glass. Our little friends are pretty happy knowing they have lots of big friends to take care of them!

We empowered each child by giving them a little knowlege and responsibility! 

Inspirational Quote to End the Week

“Many small people, in many small places, do many small things, that can alter the face of the world.”- Anonymous

A Haunting Halloween

Every Halloween, the PODER Learning Center has it's annual Haunted House for the kids of the Allen Woods Homes neighborhood and surrounding area. This year was exceptionally "frightening" with the help of the Allen Woods Resident Assembly members, volunteers from Texas State, and the Sigma Lambda Beta fraternity!


As the school bus made a stop in front of the PODER Learning Center, kids with giant smiles on their faces were ready in costume for the day ahead. After eating and getting everyone settled into two groups with chaperons (our van can only carry 11 passengers and 1 driver so we had to take multiple trips), we headed to Springtown Villa, another San Marcos Housing Authority site that house elderly and disabled residents. The kids had a fantastic time trick-or-treating and the adults had a great time giving treats to them.

After many trips up and down hallways, the kids congregated and participated in activities varying from arts-and-crafts to fun math worksheets.

After returning to the PODER Learning Center, the children played Zombies vs. Humans, a tag game, outside with some of the volunteers while other volunteers got into place in our haunted house.

We decorated three rooms which included a "Graveyard" with zombies and fog, a "Mad Scientist" room filled with fake guts and brains, and an "Old Man PODER" room filled with a fake body and ghosts. Many of the kids had a good time being scared (and even some adults)!

Last but not least, we had our costume contest with five categories: Coolest, Funniest, Scariest, Most Original, and 1st Place. There were some great contestants, but the volunteers picked our five winners. Pictured below was the winner of Most Original: a puppet.

 
So what made this a successful Halloween? COMMUNITY AND TEAMWORK!! Volunteers that had volunteered from years past came to help with either set up, chaperoning, and/or tear down. Neighborhood residents donated candy for our candy fundraiser and to pass out to kids. Dedicated Resident Assembly members worked all day to set up, be in the haunted house, and tear down. Volunteers came dressed up and played spooky parts in the haunted house. All volunteers stayed until we finished with the tear down (which only took about 45 minutes). A big thank you for making this Halloween a sweet success!