March 2024 Newsletter

5K hosted by jkl program at West Adams

Our jkl program at West Adams hosted their first annual 5k race on Saturday, February 17th.

Our students and staff were beyond grateful for the generous donation made by K-Swiss to supply our runners with shoes to train and run in their 5K! The family friendly race was open to the entire school!

Runners and walkers included students, staff, and family members. All participants received a medal, post-race refreshments and a truly unforgettable race experience. We are beyond appreciative to our partners at K-Swiss for helping to ensure our jkl students had the proper running shoes.


Mental Health Workshop at Venice

Our JKL Venice program hosted guest speaker JR for a Mental Health Workshop.

JR guided students through the therapeutic practice of kite-making. By incorporating art and culture, the workshop aimed to teach students how to express their emotions and enhance their mental well-being. The vibrant kites created during the session became colorful expressions of student’s feelings.

The workshop sparked numerous insightful and powerful moments. The students had so much fun that many stayed late, enjoying the opportunity to continue flying their kites.


COREPOWER YOGA X JKL FIELD TRIPS

Students from Animo Inglewood ventured out to the CorePower Yoga studio in Hermosa Beach, where they were warmly greeted by the Hermosa CorePower team.

During the yoga session, we were skillfully guided through several yoga flows and stretches that not only challenged students but also infused an element of fun. The intensity of hot yoga added a unique twist, making it a first-time experience for many students. The session concluded with a gratitude circle, where numerous students expressed their appreciation for the opportunity to try something new and unwind and relax. Check out more of their experience here:

Thanks to our fantastic partnership with CorePower Yoga, Russell Westbrook, Manual Arts and Pinkston JKL programs also had the chance to partake in this enriching yoga experience this past month. More classes are scheduled throughout the month of March.

Corepower has also offer 6 Yoga Teacher Training scholarships to our JKL teachers and alumni. Applications are due March 1 and we will be selecting the winners over the next few weeks!


Crime Stoppers Houston

Our Director of Program Strategy and Community Impact, Leon Clayborne, recently presented at the 28th Annual Texas Crime Stoppers Conference in Houston, TX.

During his presentation titled “3 Reasons Why After-School Programs Should be Utilized,” Leon engaged with an audience of over 150 high school students, law enforcement officers, program directors, and crime-stopper staff.

The presentation explored after-school programming in three areas: community, exposure, and wellness. Leon’s insights were well-received and generated a lot of interest among attendees regarding enhancing existing after-school programs and the application process for new ones!


Camila’s Tips: Savory Homemade Dips!

This one’s for all the dip lovers! Because there’s nothing better than a homemade dip.

Whether you’re hosting a casual get-together, a game night, or simply craving a savory snack, making a dip from scratch is the way to go! Here are two of our faves!

Whipped Feta and Honey: Creamy whipped feta combined with herbs and a drizzle of honey creates the perfect mix of savory and sweet in each bite. This dip is such a crowd-pleaser that you might want to make a double batch of the recipe!

IIngredients
4 oz crumbled feta cheese at room temperature
⅓ cup whole milk Greek yogurt
1 tbsp olive oil
½ tsp minced garlic
½ tsp dried basil
2 tbsp honey

Topping
1 tbsp chopped pistachios
1 tsp finely chopped chives
Honey drizzle

To Serve: Crostini or Grilled Pita

Instructions
Combine the first six ingredients in a small food processor and blend until smooth.
Plate and top with toppings and finish with a honey drizzle.

Savory Dipping Oil with Grilled Bread: The flavors of this dipping oil come together beautifully to create a savory and aromatic oil that pairs perfectly with the grilled bread. The dish is finished off by rubbing the grilled bread with a clove of garlic, adding an irresistible flavor depth.

A simple and delicious appetizer that can be prepared quickly and we think, should be made often.

Ingredients
5 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
½ tsp red pepper flakes
2 tbsp Pecorino Romano cheese
Fresh ground black pepper

For The Grilled Bread:
1 tbsp olive oil
1 clove garlic, peeled
2 slices of your favorite grilled bread

Instructions
Heat your grill pan or a grill to medium-high.
Slice your bread and brush the cut side with olive oil, then place it on the grill or pan and gently press down with the back of a spatula. Grill for a couple of minutes until you have grill lines on the bread.

Remove and rub the grilled side with peeled garlic clove and set aside.

Add the olive oil and the balance of the ingredients to a small flat plate.

Dredge your favorite grilled bread through the dipping oil and enjoy.

Enjoy! Beijos Camila

Full recipe by Women of Today »


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