TKF Transforms more than at-risk youth!

The Tariq Khamisa Foundation (TKF) is an organization that mentors at-risk youth in San Diego County. According to their website, they are "dedicated to transforming violence-prone, at risk youth into nonviolent, achieving individuals and creating safe and productive schools" (tkf.org). I had the privilege on November 13th, 2010 of working with TKF youth and mentors. San Diego and Escondido mentors work with TKF as AmeriCorps members, similar to how I work with North County Community Services as Volunteer Coordinator as an AmeriCorps Member.

The few hours I spent with TKF were of course too short to see if there was any personal transformation transpiring, but we sure did transform the landscape at one of North County Community Service's preschools! They removed weeds from raised beds, added soil, carefully reinstalled the drip irrigation, and planted a variety of produce in the garden. Below, you can get a sense of what was accomplished from the before, during, and after photos below. Thank you TKF!

Abby Weglarz-Volunteer Coordinator

North County Community Services

AIMCO Cares!

AIMCO (Apartment Investment and Management Company) has a corporate volunteer program called AIMCO Cares. On November 10 2010, local AIMCO employees proved that they really do care, by vounteering at North County's Food Bank! A total of seventeen AIMCO volunteers came and put in three hours both inside and outside the Food Bank warehouse.

Eager to help, volunteers started arriving with plenty of time before the 10:00AM start time. They were all hardworking and willing to do any project or task we needed them to. Their biggest contribution was mulching and loosening the soil in the garden. Thanks to the thick layer of straw they added, we will have less soil compaction and need up to 70% less water, making our new garden at the Food Bank healthier, happier, and easier for us to maintain!

AIMCO volunteers also helped with cleaning up the entire area surrounding the Food Bank, and unloading and sorting our daily food donations. Thank you, AIMCO, for your contribution to North County's Food Bank!

Abby Weglarz

Volunteer Coordinator

North County Community Services

Thank You North County