Awesome stuff

Well it's now Tuesday nite and I have done so much since I wrote last. I was way too tired to blog last nite
so let me fill u in
I told you about how beautiful the train stations are and how quiet they are
so I headed in to downtown la on train yesterday. It was great. Didn't feel unsafe ever
so I was picked up by an incredible lady Irene who works for the salvation army and runs a centre called the red shield centre. In one word - it rocks. Ok that's 2 but you get the point.
It's located in one of the worse areas for gun violence and gangs. Irene said you hear gunfire all through nite and day.
Right across from centre Is local school

The centre opened in that spot in 1950 which is so awesome as most programs like that didn't start till 80s. Though it really started on 1920s on smaller scale

So the centre has these facilities
full size basketball court (indoor) also used for indoor hockey etc
they have a workout room or a gym
they have 50metre indoor heated swimming pool
has aerobic class fitted with full length mirrors
has tap and r and b dancing class room again with mirrors
has computer room with 25 conputers
has library and home work club room
has outdoor court yard for netball etc
has games room - pool air hockey etc
has full length fake grasses soccer oval - worth 1/2 million dollar. Nike and American football league did it all for them to support what they do - both groups hold sports training days and stuff like that
and they have a big drama theatre amazin
they have kitchen and class where they teach healthy eating and cooking program
And My personal favourite A FULL SIZE Can I tell people now. Likr is it public knowledge STUDIO top range room. State of the art it's
incredible. They have a professional top of the country dance teacher too
it's amazing
so how it works is it's an after school program for the poorest of poor kids. All are welcome
it cost only $8 a year. Amazing
most kids Come every day straight from school for a lot of kids it their safe place. A place they are loved and feed and protected. They learn skills and ways to get away from all the crime etc in their communities. It's giving them positive skills like computers. Sports. Music. Dancing. Drama. And swimming and helping them to reach their full potential with their academics
so from 2.30-5pm kids from 4- 14 can come they come have snack time and then go to the activities. They have really great schedule so kids get most out of it. Most do homework first then have sports or dance or swimming training or do one of the many activities.
All children when joining have to sign a code of conduct which encourages right and postive behaviour and the kids love the program so much they stick to them
from 5-9pm is for over 14s. Adults come too. They do all lessons for teens and adults too swimming and homework included. They also do English speaking classes and they do citzenship classes. Helping people learn about America and what they need to kneo for the test to become a citzenship
the place is all about families too. Lots of parents or family members come and watchtheir kids at swimming etc
they do recitals and theatre productions that families come too.
Saturdays is awesome they are open from 10- 2.30pm and it's open for
all ages so it's family day. Incredible fun stuff so babies and under 3s can do dance and swimming parents can do assignments with their kids and just have great time
they are serving over 3,600 people. Amazing incredible program. Giving children are hope. It's like a beacon in the community. Irene is so well respected after being there for 18 yrs the gangs won't touch her or the kids. It's powerful
so many of the staff or volunteers are kids who came through the program. They share about how life changing gthr program can be. It's awesome

So I visited there all day. Got to teach the homework kids and just have a blast with the kids

I was soooo tired that day that I actually missed the last train for day .. I was so upset and my phone wouldn't work so a security guard let ne ring the family I'm with and eventually we found a train with another company. I was just so exhausted at end of day

Still suffering from jetlag

Today (tuesday) was so great as well. First thing I spend time at the corps Here seeing their childcare
and their plans for a red shield centre near them. Like the one above. So that's awesome

I then met with the leader of the salvos human trafficking taskforce for few hours learnt so much
then I went to a homeless shelter they have for families. Fantastic program. Too hard to explain on here. Will tell when home

Then went to Allegria. One of my favourite places. A HIV/aids home /apartment housing for families. Not just the victim goes in but whole families. And they get medical and childcare and food support another awesome program
it's the only one of it's kind in the world

I will write more on this tomorrow again I am so tired
had great nite with my US family and wish I was having more time here. Have done no real sightseeing at all but been so worth it.
Leave first thing in morning for new York it's going to be freezing. It's down to 4 degrees already.
Love you all
Leah