Service Learning Opportunities
Students discover interest in causes and their role in the world as agents for positive change. The following are a sample of service learning projects that have taken students far beyond volunteering for a Saturday time slot. Some projects have been created by Oakwood students but all are sustained by their passions. Student-created organizations are marked by an asterisk:
AIDS Walk LA
The AIDS Walk raises money for AIDS Project LA and helps support the numerous programs it provides for people affected with HIV and AIDS.
“I decided to get involved with the walk because the work that Aids Project Los Angeles does for people that are affected with HIV and AIDS and their families is truly remarkable and is much needed in our community.” – Sophie
“Participating in the AIDS walk, by both fundraising and walking, are such simple and easy things that help support an important cause.” – Amelia
Beads for Life
Beads for Life is an organization that helps women in Uganda living below poverty level. By teaching the women how to make jewelry out of paper, they can sell their creations in the United States and Europe to help support their families.
“I got involved through an Oakwood event that I thoroughly enjoyed, and then wanted to get more involved, so I decided to find out how and then did.” – Henry
Best Friends Animal Society
Best Friends Animal Society is an amazing organization that helps save lives every day.
“I got involved because I truly believe in protecting the lives of innocent animals.” – Makenna
Big Sunday
Big Sunday’s mission is to build community through community service. They believe that everyone has some way that they can help somebody else. On Big Sunday Weekend thousands of people from California, of all ages and all backgrounds, work together at hundreds of nonprofits, schools and other agencies that need their help. There are opportunities for every passion, talent, skill and age. Projects are scheduled throughout the weekend, and can last anywhere from one hour to two full days.
Blood Drive
The Blood Drive is facilitated by Cedars Sinai Medical Center. Students must be 17 to donate, however you can still help out by asking your parents, friends, and neighbors to give. Students receive an hour of community service for each person who donates in their name.
“I became involved in the blood drive because it’s extremely important to help blood banks stay stocked. Donating blood does actually save lives.” – Matthew
Chiapas Project
The Chiapas Project supports a group of indigenous women, from different villages in Chiapas, who are a part of, or affiliated with the Zapatistas, lack a market in which they can make a profit from their hand made artisanal goods. They work together in collectives or cooperatives to produce goods including clothing, bags, backpacks, wallets, scarves and so much more, in hopes of being able to sell their goods and support their families. Oakwood students participate by providing a market for their goods in various venues.
Comic Books*
We hope to teach and encourage the love of reading to young children through the use of comic books. We work at the LA Family Housing Shelter and teach students to read and write their own comics.
Community Youth Partnership (CYP) Dance
CYP Dance promotes the experimentation and exploration of movement through receiving free dance classes in modern, musical theater, hip-hop and ballet. These encourage the children to discover themselves through these dance forms as well as freestyle and improvisation. This program also tests the skills of the student-teachers to effectively demonstrate their combinations and utilize their newfound teaching philosophies.
“I became interested in this seeing that I love working with children and combining that with my passion for dance. Ever since hearing about it from other students and how much they have enjoyed being so invested in something that provides such fulfillment and joy, I have loved this wonderfully organized program and community service opportunity that is pure fun.” – Arley
Community Youth Partnership (CYP) Music
In CYP Music student-teachers guide a group of students through learning one or two pieces of music using them to demonstrate broader musical concepts. In this process the students and student-teachers alike are able to change the way in which they perceive and understand music.
“I found out about CYP Music from a friend who highly recommended the program. I was a bit apprehensive at first, but after the first couple classes I quickly learned that this was a program that was worthwhile for all of those who participate.” – Daniel S.
Community Youth Partnership (CYP) Science
CYP Science is a program where Oakwood students in grades ten through twelve teach third through sixth grade students forensics, biology, physics, chemistry, and more. The student-teachers have full responsibility for designing lesson plans, lectures, slideshows, games and labs. It is a great opportunity to expand and pass on your understanding of science, and you get experience the teacher perspective.
“I got involved with CYP because I didn't want to just do community service because it was a requirement, but because it was something that I felt passionate about. Science is one of my favorite subjects and now, I am able to pass on the joy that I get from science to others.” – Allison
“I absolutely love working with younger kids and when I heard about CYP I knew I had to be a part of it. The feeling of helping young students learn about something that you are passionate about is priceless and I am so glad that I can do that on a weekly basis.” – Sara S.
Community Youth Partnership (CYP) Visual Arts
CYP Visual Arts is a course that teaches elementary and middle school kids to explore their love for art. The course includes, drawing, photography, animation, sculpture, and arts and crafts. CYP Visual Arts lets high school students express their interests to kids at a beginner level.
“I got involved in CYP Visual Arts because I love tutoring kids and I wanted to do something in the arts. When I found out that I would really be able to create my curriculum independently and to teach them on and almost one-on-one level, I was really excited. I was also really intrigued because I would be able to collaborate with my friends and be creative in making fun lessons and classes for the kids.” – Emily W.
"I joined CYP because I love kids and being able to share my love of arts with them was an opportunity that I couldn't pass up. It has been such a great experience and every time we have a class I become more and more grateful for our little arts and crafts class” – Tess L.
Feed the Hungry
Feed The Hungry is a new monthly inter-generational service project which we are excited to be involved with at Oakwood.
Each month 10 families will come together on a Sunday afternoon at Hope of The Valley Rescue Mission to feed our hungry community. Each family is assigned an item to cook at their home the morning of the event, and then we all join together at 12:30 to serve a meal to our friends in Sun Valley. We set up from 12:30pm and start serving at 1pm. When we are done, we clean up, take down tables etc. We are out by 2:15pm.
“We began participating in this program by helping our mom who has been feeding the hungry for the past 2 1/2 years. Now we choose to do it because it is great way to help others who are in need. We can't imagine what it feels like not knowing when your meal will be - especially the kids who sometimes don't get any food at all during the day. Seeing the smiles on their faces when we serve them makes our whole day.
“Feed The Hungry is not only a great way to earn community service hours, but also a meaningful afternoon with our community. - Jonathan and Lindsay
Green Gorillas
The goal of this earth friendly club is to permanently "green" Oakwood as best it can, starting with a waste audit, discontinuation of plastic bottles in the Student Store, and serious control of paper recycling. See Plastic Polution Coalition and 5 Gyres websites for more information.
“Jessie and I started the Oakwood Green Gorillas last year because of our extensive knowledge and passion about educating ourselves and others about plastic pollution.” – Emma A.
LA Family Housing
LA Family Housing is a program in which Oakwood students go to the LA Family Housing Shelter after school and tutor children there on their homework and participate in arts and crafts with them, and other art projects.
"I wanted to commit to an activity that directly involved me in the community in a helpful way while spending time with the coolest people at Oakwood." – Austin T. '13
“I immediately joined LA Family Housing after I heard about it from Sarah Culberson in tenth grade, in order to help children excel in school.” – Jacob K.
OSADD
OSADD, which stands for Oakwood students against drunk driving, is a club we got involved with to help spread awareness about the dangers of driving intoxicated whether it's alcohol or drugs. It's for students in 7-12 grade. Even if you don't drive, it's important to know how to get out of uncomfortable situations with maybe a sibling driving or older friend. It's not to just talk about sad stories that have happened but collaborate with speakers and students to prevent them from happening in the future.
-Ashley
PAWS/LA
PAWS/LA is an organization that helps people with life-threatening illnesses as well as low-income seniors care for their beloved pets by providing various services that allow people to maintain their loving companions. PAWS/LA works with people throughout Los Angeles County, so there are numerous opportunities for anyone to get involved and help out their great cause.
“We had a family friend who became terminally ill with cancer. Although he lived in Montana, I was able to visit him a few times during his illness. What moved me tremendously was how devoted he was to his seven dogs and how the daily routine of taking care of the dogs gave him inner strength to deal with the pain and weakness caused by his cancer treatment. Although our friend’s wife was able to take care of him, which allowed him to keep taking care of their pets during treatment, I realized that not everyone has the emotional, physical or financial means to care for their pets independently. I was lucky to find PAWS/LA.” – Bradley
The Harry Potter Alliance
The Harry Potter Alliance is a worldwide organization that combats real-world issues by drawing parallels to books. We focus on educational, economic, and social equality. In the past we have discussed economic inequality and its ties to hunger, as well as raised money for world hunger in our Hunger Is Not A Game campaign, we have written letters asking Warner Bros. to use ethically sourced chocolate in their Harry Potter chocolate frogs, we discussed and celebrated racial diversity and talked about immigration reform in our Superman Is An Immigrant campaign, and we recently had a massive fundraiser for educational equality as well as LGBTQ rights in our annual Equality For The Win fundraiser.
“I got involved in the Harry Potter Alliance because I think it's a unique and innovative way to raise awareness of current issues. I decided to start a chapter because I think the combination of social action and books is just nerdy and creative enough to fit in well here at Oakwood.” - Bailey
You've Got a Friend
You've Got a Friend is an Oakwood's big brother/big sister program. It's a chance for Oakwood students to spend time and go on field trips with elementary school students from local neighborhoods.
“I got involved because I wanted to be able to help plan fun field trips for the elementary school kids and hang out with them.” – Hannah