Testimonials

Health

Health Fair Ana & Karla - Champions For Change

Karla and Ana are breaking the cycle of obesity!

The leading cause of disease in the US, Health Disease, is preventable!

Project Access has partnered with the Orange County Health Care Agency’s Network for a Healthy California to provide nutrition resources to teens and youth at eight Family Resource Centers. The program provides monthly nutrition workshops – which incorporate healthy snacks –to teens and after school program participants. The OCHCA Network for a Healthy California also sponsored a booth at a recent Health Fair. Project Access and the OCHCA Network for a Healthy California are proud to promote healthy living to its participants.

Sixth grade participants, Ana and Karla, have been working hard to change their eating habits and share their knowledge. Here’s what they had to say about the nutrition classes and activities:

I really liked learning about food, food models and learning how much we need from each of the food groups. I was also surprised to learn how much sugar is in sodas and coffee drinks. I have made the decision to eat healthy snacks like fruits and vegetables and I have used the cookbook we received in class to make a delicious smoothie! Ana and I were in charge of the booth at the health fair and we were able to teach our friends and family about the important nutrition information we learned! –Karla

I also liked learning about different foods, and I was surprised to learn how much fat is in fast food. I learned that making smarter food choices leads to a healthier future – I eat many more fruits and salads now! Karla and I had fun at the booth at the health fair – our participation showed our friends and family that we are helpers and we know what it means to eat healthy.– Ana

Independent Living for Seniors

Gail -- Social and Recreational

Seniors who are socially more engaged tend to live longer and have better health over time than those who are isolated.

Gail is a 67 year-old Project Access Senior resident at Golden West Tower Apartments in Torrance. Gail truly enjoys her time spent in the Project Access Senior Resource Center…

Here’s what she had to say:

Gail is no longer lonely and bored!

Before participating in the programs and services that Project Access offers, I was not happy with my life here at Golden West Tower and I was planning to move. I researched many other places, but not one had the opportunities to offer what we have here. So I decided to get more involved. Our Service Coordinator is so helpful, has a pleasant personality, and is fair and strong when she needs to be. I really appreciate Project Access. I cannot say enough positive things about her!

Project Access provides so much for us – it helps to draw us together and I’m no longer so lonely and bored. Without Project Access, many of us would stay alone, not communicate and be depressed. Thank you, Project Access, for all that you do for us!

Education for Youth

Andrew Moreno

Did you know that the high school drop-out rate in California is 20%?

Andrew Moreno has been a member of the Project Access Park Vista Family Resource Center Homework Club for the last two years. Although Andrew had been progressing steadily since he began attending the program, he still struggled in various academic and behavioral areas. A particular area of concern was Andrew’s inability to work alone without the help of a staff member or volunteer. His confidence levels were very low and he consistently demanded the attention of the adults around him.

Early this year, Andrew received the one-on-one attention he desired through our partnership with the Academic Tutoring Service. In addition to this, Andrew became one of the students who was allowed to begin Homework Club early. Through this one-on-one help, Andrew’s basic reading and math skills began to improve slowly. His math skills in particular became an area of confidence for him.

Andrew’s final semester report card showed improvement in every subject area. In addition to this, Andrew’s mother was happy to report that, “he received his first proficient marks ever.” Although there is still much work that needs to be done, Andrew now has the initial confidence that he needs to move in the right direction. He is now able to work on his own for extended periods of time and he is usually able to complete all of his math homework during one Homework Club session! Everyone is so proud of Andrew’s improvements!

Andrew’s confidence and grades are improving rapidly!

Capacity Building for Adults

English as a Second Language--Ms. Lee

The unemployment rate, reaching double digits is the worst is has been in 26 years.

English as a Second Language

As a result of the current difficult economic times, Mrs. Lee, a participant at the Project Access Family Resource Center at Tara Village Apartments, has recently been required to enter into the job force so that she may financially support her family, which means that she needs to learn new job skills.

Doors are opening for Mrs. Lee with her new English skills learned at Project Access!

She turned to the Project Access Resource Center for assistance after she was told by the academic counselor at her local community college that she needed to work on her English skills to excel in the nursing program. When Mrs. Lee first came in, she was filled with uncertainties and had very little confidence in her ability to speak English. She explained how competitive the nursing program was and that she felt frustrated with her language skills. Mrs. Lee visits the Project Access Family Resource Center every Tuesday and Thursday morning for one-on-one English as a Second Language lessons. After consistently coming to the sessions for a month, she improved her English, and moreover, she became more confident with the language. Mrs. Lee is now on her way to becoming a registered nurse to help support her family.

Here’s what Mrs. Lee had to say about her experience with Project Access:

“I struggled with my English for many years. Finally, I decided to get some help at the Project Access Family Resource Center-right where I live! Mr. Yoo helped me a great deal and his lessons were so wonderful. It was awesome, and my confidence increased a lot. I feel this is a gift to me and I am greatly appreciative to Project Access-I believe living in Tara Village and having access to the Project Access Resource Center has benefited me and all of the other residents. I love this place more than words can describe!”

Other Programs

Ms. Kim

Bringing the best resources the community has to offer into each Project Access Resource Center.

Project Access found Ms. Kim affordable Health Care! Ms. Kim does not have health insurance and is not eligible for any low-cost health insurance program. She has been paying large amounts of money for doctor visits, but because of the cost, she rarely sees a doctor. Just recently, she had the flu and wanted to go see a doctor, but did not go because she couldn’t afford it. She came into the Family Resource Center to see if there were any options for her. The staff at the Family Resource Center referred her to Nhan Hoa Clinic. This clinic provides many medical services for people without health insurance. This clinic charges $15 per visit which is comparable to a co-pay cost for a person with insurance. Ms. Kim was delighted to learn that there was a clinic she can afford to visit.

Tiffany Douglas

Tiffany – a single mother to a seven year old daughter – is a resident at Las Palmas Apartments who was in dire need of assistance. She came to the Project Access Resource Center frantic, as she had received a three day notice of eviction from the leasing office due to delinquent rent. She had previously arranged a payment plan with the leasing office, but since being laid off from her job and not yet receiving her unemployment check; she was unable to pay the back rent.

Project Access helped Tiffany and her daughter escape eviction!

Tiffany was distraught, as she had nowhere else to go – she didn’t know what she was going to do. The Project Access Service Coordinator helped Tiffany apply for rent payment assistance to the “Seasons of Sharing Fund,” which provides one-time, temporary assistance to people experiencing an unexpected crisis.

Tiffany’s next visit to the Resource Center was full of joy – her application was approved and she was able to pay the delinquent rent that she owed, and she and her daughter were able to stay in their apartment.