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KDI Prepares to Help Kids Head Back to School

Soon children across the valley will be preparing to head back to school. While most families will be purchasing tennis shoes, backpacks and school supplies in preparation, many families in the valley don’t have the means to do the same. Kdi Kares, the community outreach branch of Kdi Elements, is ready to assist those families.

Three years ago Kdi Kares held the 1st Annual Shoebox Heroes Shoe Drive to benefit the Coachella Valley Rescue Mission. The 3rd Annual drive is well under way; the organization will be distributing new shoes donated throughout the summer at Coachella Valley Rescue Mission’s backpack giveaway at Van Buren Elementary School on Saturday, August 28th.

Suzanne Zens, Director of Sales and Marketing for Kdi Elements, explains that families begin lining up down the side walk as early as 2:00 am to receive backpacks, supplies and tennis shoes for their children.

“It’s like Christmas for them,” she explains. “For so many of the kids, it’s the first pair of new shoes they’ve ever had.”
In 2008, approximately 700 pairs of new tennis shoes were donated. Last year, that number grew to 800. The harsh reality of a dire economy has greatly affected this year’s shoe drive.

“It’s looking pretty sad this year,” says Zens. “I’m doing a lot of praying.”

New children-sized tennis shoes can be dropped off at any Payless Shoe Store, Robo Bank, Canyon National Bank or Pacific Western Bank in the Coachella Valley.

While many of the recipients are children from families utilizing the services of the Coachella Valley Rescue Mission, any family in need of back-to-school items are welcome to attend the event.

For more information, please visit www.kdikares.org or call (760) 345-9933.
Olive Crest Academy, the Brand-New Tuition-Free Charter School, Now Open for Fall Enrollment
Olive Crest of Santa Ana, whose acclaimed early college high school, NOVA Academy, was recently honored with a 2010 Bronze Medal by US News and World Report, announced that its brand-new Coachella Valley charter school is now open for fall enrollment for grades 9 and 10.

Olive Crest Academy, located at 52780 Fredrick Street, Coachella, is a natural extension of Santa Ana-based Olive Crest, which has been a leader in serving families and children for nearly four decades. Founder Dr. Donald Verleur is a licensed educational psychologist, a marriage and family counselor, and a teacher, but he spends most of his time overseeing the educational programs of Olive Crest.

“At Olive Crest, we believe that education is the key to success in life,” says Dr. Verleur. “I’ve seen many students who became the first in their families to graduate from high school and attend college, thanks to this kind of school model. With teachers and counselors who truly care, and who demand the best that their students can give, kids discover unknown talents in themselves.”

Olive Crest Academy presents an exciting new opportunity for students in the following ways:

* Small class size (no more than 25 students per classroom) and a personalized learning environment with a “college culture.” The emphasis is on preparing students for college, regardless of their previous academic history.
* In future years, students will have the chance to take college classes while still in high school.
* All college books and fees paid for by Olive Crest Academy.
* Daily academic support for both high school and college coursework from credentialed teachers and tutors.
* Ongoing communication between parents and dedicated and experienced teachers and counselors devoted to making students successful.
* Licensed high school counselor and licensed therapist on staff.
* Individualized student road map for high school and college.
* Monthly seminars to help students and parents understand and prepare for the college admissions process.
* College tours for students.
* Emphasis on students’ roles and responsibilities in the community and the world at large.

Parents and students throughout the desert are invited to a one-hour introductory info session about the school at the following times and locations:

Mon., July 19 @ 6:30pm: Olive Crest Academy, 52780 Fredrick Street, Coachella
Thurs., July 29 @ 6:30pm: Mecca Family and Farm Workers Service Center, 91-275 66th Ave. # 100, Mecca
Thurs., Aug. 12 @ 6:30pm: Olive Crest Academy, 52780 Fredrick Street, Coachella 
During the meetings, prospective students and their parents will hear about the mission and programs of the school; get a sneak peek of what the campus will look like; and learn how to register for the fall semester. Complimentary refreshments will be served. For more information and to RSVP for the meetings, call 760-398-9806 or email Renee Lancaster at renee-lancaster@olivecrest.org.

Olive Crest Academy is a Sister School to Olive Crest’s NOVA Academy in Orange County, Recently Honored with a 2010 Bronze Medal by US News and World Report As One of the 60 Best High Schools in California
Local Artist Uses Talent to Spread the Gospel

by Megan Goehring

The journey of a lifetime, it has been said, starts with a single step. Brian Barlow's journey began as he slung his leg over the railing of God's lifeboat, leaving the Christian college in Illinois where he received a degree in studio art, for his first job in the wider world. Like Peter in Matthew 14:30, Brian began to sink, but it took him the better part of 20 years to realize how far he had drifted. After working in social services and education administration, he returned to his gifting in art, first awakened at the age of 9. Using the mediums of pottery, painting and drawing, he reentered the calling of his youth. At first it was supplemental income, but gradually he recognized God's influence opening doors of opportunity to use his talent as a ministry. Finally, in the summer of 2009, when a gallery space in uptown Palm Springs he had pursued for years became available, he got back in the boat.

Brian recognized the opportunity could not be a coincidence, and that in order for the venture to be successful, he would need to dedicate its use to spreading the Gospel message. After renovating the space, he opened Boileau Studio under his ancestral family name, as a venue for Christians to share Christ through the visual arts. At first, he painted and used his pottery wheel alone, save for occasional visitors, but the deep impact his spiritually-themed work had on this handful of window-shoppers convinced Brian he was on the right track. On April 2 of 2010, he invited his former college professor, Dr. Donald Royal, to exhibit work at the Boileau Studio.
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Summer is Here -- It’s Time for Vacation Bible School

By Amelia Hadley

The mercury in the Coachella Valley is climbing and another school year is drawing to a close. That’s right- another desert summer is about to begin. Whether a trek through the Amazon, a visit to a chocolate factory, a swim in the deep seas, sailing on a pirate’s ship or learning how to stay in shape, Coachella Valley kids are going to have an awesome Jesus-filled summer! Valley churches are hard at work planning VBS programs that will give children a safe and Christ-centered place to be during the break. For little or no cost, parents have many VBS options for their children; below are just a few. Don’t forget to check with your church to see what VBS plans are underway for the coming months.

Church 212, La Quinta The “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” program runs from July 12th – 16th, 6pm to 9pm at Colonel Mitchell Paige Middle School. This fun and exciting story will become a modern day illustration of how to be sure one is on the way to Heaven. At VBS, the kids will all have an opportunity to receive one great prize each of the five nights, and they will learn the importance of knowing the true Way to Heaven- Jesus. Registration is $30 which includes snacks, crafts, a T-shirt, and an opportunity for some truly great prizes. You may pre-register by calling (760) 772-6212.
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Registration Now Open for Martha’s Village & Kitchen’s Annual Thanksgiving Day 5K Run/Walk

(Indio, California—June 3, 2010) – Registration is now open for Martha's Village & Kitchen’s fun-filled 5K (3.1 miles) Run/Walk Fundraiser! Complete details at www.mvkthanksgivingrun.org.
Where?   NEW LOCATION! Palm Desert Civic Center Park
43900 San Pablo Ave
Palm Desert, CA 92260
When?    Thanksgiving Day, November 25, 2010
Times?   6:30 a.m.: Registration, number/t-shirt pick up and continental breakfast
8:00 a.m.: Start for competitive runners
8:15 a.m.: Start for noncompetitive participants
Cost?    Now until 11/5: $28/adult and $15/child (Ages 6-12)
After 11/5 and on Event Day: $35/adult and $20/child
Children Age 5 & under are free
No credit cards accepted on event day for registration
Before the event & avoid standing in the long Event Day registration line :
Online with a credit card at www.mvkthanksgivingrun.org, click the Register Now button OR
Adults can register for themselves and their families with a credit card by calling 760-347-4741 x 316 OR
Register and pick up race number/t-shirt with cash, check or credit card:
Sat. Nov. 20, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Palm Springs High School Parking Lot
Wed. Nov. 17 and 24, 2 p.m. – 6 p.m., Martha’s Village,
83791 Date Ave., Indio
You can also register the day of the event with cash or check.

www.marthasvillage.org