Posted by Jerry Duchene Saavedra on January 24, 2011

Post by Daniele Monroe-Moreno:

ServeNext Las Vegas team members began their MLK Day by participating in the Annual Las Vegas MLK Day Parade. With record numbers of participants and parade attendees the fun was just beginning!

With our Community Partners, Las Vegas Centennial Optimist Club, For the Least of These Ministries, KidScape Productions, Jeffrey Simister DDS, ServeNext Las Vegas was able to provide more than 1000 new books and dental hygiene goodie bags to the children who utilize the services of the James Boys and Girls Club in North Las Vegas, an AmeriCorps Service site. We were told to expect 50 – 100 youth and we so excited to share the day with over sixty youth.

Our special guest Congresswoman Shelley Berkley was unable to attend due to illness, however her District Staff Assistant Ms. Nicole Wright was an awesome replacement. Filling the shoes of our Congresswoman Ms. Wright entertained the children with the reading of an inspiring book. A great supporter and friend of ServeNext Las Vegas, North Las Vegas City Councilwoman Anita Wood and her family assisted with the event set up, clean up and serving our little guest lunch.

Fourteen ServeNext and Community Volunteer’s along with the AmeriCorps Volunteers shared the story of Martin Luther King and how MLK Day became a National Holiday. Volunteers encouraged and assisted the children with shareing their dreams for the future in writing. The children served us with a moving “I Have a Dream” Speech and a short theatrical skit they learned from KidScape Production’s Director Ms. Marissa Filippis.

A special thank you goes out to Mr. Raul R. Gomez Jr. and his Boys & Girls Club staff for their continued service to our community and to photographer Mr. Gary McDorman for capturing the special moments. The day would not have been possible without the very generous donations from UPS Store #4987, the Optimist Club, Dr. Simister, KidScape Production, For the Least of These Ministries, Sin City Pleasure Bakery, Wal-Mart NLV-Ann Rd. Store and the Moreno Family.

Click here to read the article.

Reno native, Christiana Frank, created KidScape Production’s structure six years ago at the New York City Police Department /At-Risk Youth Division. Christiana attended Juilliard in New York City as well as Yale School of Drama in Connecticut. Extensive coaching with Uta Hagen for over two years and continues practicing her craft even when not performing!
Her resume was built on Broadway as well as on Television and in Films. Her lifelong love for performance art brought about her passion for sharing it’s affects on the individual student. As a result, she has created a professional curriculum which focuses on the experience of the participants, helping them discover tools for lifelong success.
Currently Ms. Frank is working with students and teachers in the Washoe County School District. Some or her successful ongoing programs include Donner Springs Elementary School, Rollan Melton, 21st Century, Washoe County School Districts Community Education, YMCA, Sierra Kids, Girl Scouts, VSA, Reno Housing Authority, and Camp Wamp.
Volunteering also includes Tune In To Kids, Cinco de Mayo, Reno Celebrates America, Optimist Club of Reno, Sun Valley Elementary School, Alzheimer’s Association, Classic Hyatt and soon Sierra Association of Foster Families. Dedicated to offering free programs to Washoe Counties kids K-12, Christiana’s plans are to be a non profit by 2008.
Ms. Frank is a 1991 Reno High School graduate and uses the RHSAA Alumni building for KidScape Production’s.

Click here to see the article.

1. Be proud of accomplishments
2. Act independently
3. Tolerate frustration
4. Approach new challenges with enthusiasm
5. Feel capable of influencing others
6. Exhibit a broad range of emotions

A child with LOW self-esteem will:

1. Avoid situations that provoke anxiety
2. Demean his or her own talents
3. Feel that others don’t value him or her
4. Blame others for his or her own failings
5. Be easily influenced by others
6. Become defensive and easily frustrated
7. Feel powerless
8. Exhibit a narrow range of emotions

KidScape Productions works on weekly classes to help students CHANGE their habits!  Through the art of improvisation and performance games, students learn through repetition and fun!

1.You need to work at your self-image. It is not static. It changes depending on what you and others feed it. Whether you are young or old you need to work at it.

2.You need to complete the jobs that you start in order to boost esteem. As you reach the goal you set esteem improves and you will feel good about yourself. If you do not hang in there until you reach your goal your esteem takes a beating.

3.You need to associate with winners. You have heard it said that we become like our friends. Associate with positive people and you become positive. Associate with people who are negative and you know what happens.

4.You need to practice positive self- talk every day. Take some time out, relax, and then say to yourself statements like the following: “I like myself”, “I am okay”, “and I can do it”. Do this at least twice every day. Your image of yourself will change.

You are what you think you are. A number of years ago there was an experiment done to show the power of the mind. It involved two similar groups of people with colds. One group was to receive placebos, the other vitamin C. A placebo is a chemically harmless sugar pill but cannot help or harm a person. The pills looked the same. Those receiving the vitamin C would have fewer colds. However, this was not the case. The placebo group had fewer calls.

Our minds are very powerful in determining what happens in our lives. You need to practice positive self-talk. If you can influence yourself to think more positively that is a good thing.

5.Building self-esteem in others will also build it in you. As you accept others, trust them, and respect them their self-esteem goes up as well as your own.

I wanted to let you know I took my son up to KidScape Productions class yesterday. We were just going to observe the class. But we ended up sitting on the floor to watch, next to the other kids. He slowly inched his way into the group & was soon raising his hand to be picked! He had a wonderful time. In fact when we got in the car he said “That was FUN Mom!” I must say that in 7 years I have not heard those words out of his mouth after any activity.
Thanks for all your help.

Wendy_Parent
Reno, Nevada

PART TIME
Teaching and Drama Majors

Experience in improvisation would be great – yet not required! We will train you!

START TRAINING ASAP
START WORKING AUGUST 2010

What to do:

1. Go to main page at www.KidScapeProductions.com and follow outline.
2. Must be available 2-3 days per week
3. Best available time: 2:30-6:00pm

* MUST BE 18 YEARS OF AGE OR OLDER
* MUST BE ENGAGING
* CONFIDENT
* FUN
* HIGH ENERGY
* RELIABLE
* HAVE TRANSPORTATION
* CELL PHONE
* LIKE WORKING WITH KIDS
* HAVE CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT SKILLS