Community Outreach
We would like to acknowledge psychology graduate students who have donated their time and money for the purpose of helping others in the community. Additionally, we would like to share information about the worthy organizations with which graduate students have volunteered this year.
Psychology Graduate Students Association (PGSA)
PGSA organized three outreach events in the 2008 – 2009 school year. For more information about next year’s PGSA outreach program, please contact Casey Knifsend (cknifsend@ucla.edu).
Fall 2008: Midnight Mission's Family Housing Program
(http://www.midnightmission.org)
The Midnight Mission is a comprehensive system of programs to “offer a bridge to self-sufficiency for homeless people.”
Volunteers: Andrew Galperin (social), Kristen Gillespie (developmental), Everett Mettler (cognitive), Sylvia Morelli (social), Mariana Preciado (social), Lauren Wong (social)
Winter 2009: KEEN (Kids Enjoy Exercise Now) Los Angeles
(http://www.keenlosangeles.org)
KEEN is an organization providing free one-on-one recreational opportunities for children and young adults with mental and physical disabilities.
Volunteers: Casey Knifsend (developmental), Kristen Gillespie (developmental), Mariana Preciado (social), Bob Spunt (social), Mike Vendetti (cognitive)
Spring 2009: PATH (People Assisting the Homeless) Los Angeles
(http://www.epath.org)
PATH combines temporary housing and a large variety of services to “break the cycle of homelessness.”
Volunteers: Graduate students from the Chicago School of Professional Psychology, Kathryn Brooks (social), Lupita Espinoza (developmental), Kristen Gillespie (developmental), Casey Knifsend (developmental), Adriana Manago (developmental), Mariana Preciado (social), Lauren Wong (social)
Interdisciplinary Relationship Science Program (IRSP)
IRSP faculty, staff, and graduate trainees donated money at the end of Fall 2008 to purchase holiday toys for Beyond Shelter (www.beyondshelter.org), a non-profit aimed at combating chronic poverty, welfare dependency, and homelessness among families with children. Organizer: Justin Lavner (clinical)
Graduate Student Individual Outreach
Liana Epstein (social): Children Uniting Nations (www.childrenunitingnations.org) Children Uniting Nations is a program which matches at-risk children/teens in foster care with mentors.
Danielle Keenan-Miller (clinical): Project Angel Food (http://www.angelfood.org) and AIDSProject Los Angeles (http://www.apla.org) Project Angel Food volunteers cook and deliver food to people with life-threatening illnesses such as cancer and HIV/AIDS. AIDS Project Los Angeles has a system of programs and services dedicated to HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment, and advocacy.
Betty Liao (clinical): Didi Hirsch Suicide Prevention Crisis Line (http://www.didihirsch.org) Betty says the training is intense but the experience is very rewarding.
Tyler Moore (quantitative): Plan International (http://planinternational.org) Plan International is a secular program focused on lifting children out of poverty. Tyler is currently sponsoring kids from Egypt and the Dominican Republic. His donations go towards helping families in their community.
Jacqui Sperling (clinical): Free Arts for Abused Children (http://www.freearts.org) Jacqui co-leads weekly art groups with mothers and children who are at risk for abuse. She says that no artistic talent is required!
Lizzie Thompson (clinical): The Pink Agenda (www.thepinkagenda.org) The Pink Agenda is a breast cancer awareness/fundraising group. Lizzie is cited on their website! (http://www.thepinkagenda.org/blog/?paged=2)
Kelly Turner (social) and Justin Lavner (social): College Summit (http://www.collegesummit.org) College Summit is a program aimed at strengthening “college-going culture” and increasing college enrollment rates for underrepresented students. Kelly can’t say enough good things about her experience there!
Finally, we know there are many others in the department not mentioned here who are doing positive things for the community. Thanks and keep up the good work!
For more information about outreach in Los Angeles, email PGSA Outreach Coordinator Casey Knifsend (cknifsend@ucla.edu), click on any of the links for the organizations included here, or go to http://www.laworks.com to sign up for projects in your area.
