For full article - https://tbrnews.com/news/manhattan_beach/sheehan-adopt-a-family-project-sponsors-computer-lab-for-foster/article_ffa36526-a7cb-11e8-a0dc-b7226acf71e0.html
For the past 35 years the Sheehan Adopt-a-Family Project has provided holiday gifts to dozens of needy kids and families in the Los Angeles area each year. But sometimes a gift is not enough.
Founder Melissa Sheehan-Clarkson, who runs Melissa’s Mutt Hutt —a dog walking and pet sitting company—said although the experience through the foundation brought joy to those who could least afford a holiday, she wanted to do more.
“While giving them gifts is wonderful and kind and helpful, it doesn't really solve the problem,” Sheehan-Clarkson said.
It goes back to that old adage, “Give a man a fish and you can feed him for the day. Show him how to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.” So, she struck upon an idea to teach foster kids how to use computers and supply them with a laptop when they turn 18.
Young adults graduating out of the foster care system without a permanent family are some of the most likely people to end up homeless or in need of social services, Sheehan-Clarkson said.
“I thought if we could give them the skill sets to use computers and technology, they could apply for jobs and colleges,” she said.
After setting her goal, she sought out a group home and approached them with a proposal. The home she identified was Vista Del Mar Child and Family Services in Culver City, a 45-bed facility attached to a school of roughly 250 students, all in foster care.
“My goal is to intervene before they exit the foster care system in order to break this vicious cycle and give them a future of hope and success,” she said.
Today, the computer lab is a reality.
This computer lab was funded with donations from South Bay residents through the Sheehan Adopt-a-Family project at Vista Del Mar school in Culver City. (submitted)
Sheehan-Clarkson raised about $65,000—almost entirely from South Bay residents and generous contributions from Propel Media and INC Technologies—to purchase and network 11 desktop computers at the school along with dozens of laptops to give away to the graduating class.
Training in the lab once per week after school began in April. She also convinced the school to hire a full-time teacher at the computer lab to benefit the entire school during classroom hours.
This computer lab was funded with donations from South Bay residents through the Sheehan Adopt-a-Family project at Vista Del Mar school in Culver City. (submitted)
Wendy Abdalla, director of rehab services at Vista Del Mar called Sheehan-Clarkson a dynamo with a heart of gold.
Abdalla said bringing computer training to the students was sorely needed. Up until the Sheehan Adopt-a-Family Project came around, the school was using 8-year-old computers without internet service.
“It’s a great way to pursue skills for a job and just have a really important skill set in their pocket when they leave,” Abdalla said. “That’s just huge.”
The Sheehan Adopt-a-Family Project didn’t stop there. Sheehan-Clarkson brought in backpacks full of gifts to start the school year. And each week along with computer training, she schedules visits from mentors to speak to the students about career goals. Some of the speakers are successful business owners who came out of the foster care system themselves.
“These kids need this and we are going to do more and more with it after she rolls out more lessons,” Abdalla said.
The computer lab at Vista Del Mar holds a grand opening party 6:30 to 8 p.m. Sept. 12 at the school located at 3200 Motor Ave. Los Angeles 90034.
For more information and to contribute visit SAFProject.org/donate
