Man UP! with H.E.A.R.T. enjoyed Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night”

by April | Community, Team Building

The Blue Heart Foundation in partnership with the Old Globe Theater provided a night out for the youth and families from the HEART mentoring program, Man UP! as well as local foster youth. HEART (Higher Education And Rising Together) is a locally based mentoring program that is focused on the empowerment and education of under-served youth. Our program is based on nine (9) core competencies which fall under three categories: 1) Abilities, 2) Applications, and 3) Character. Man UP’s mission is to teach our male students lessons in self-improvement, empowerment, responsibility, and cultural awareness.  The club meets with all members on a weekly basis, teaching students lessons that will make them marketable in today’s society.   

As part of our program we feel it important to expose youth to events they may not normally have the opportunity to see and in this instance we viewed Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night”. Shipwrecked and alone in foreign Illyria, young Viola masquerades as a boy and becomes the go-between for the lovesick Duke Orsino and the beautiful Countess Olivia. Soon Viola finds herself in the middle of a topsy-turvy love triangle with lunacy on every side. Roosevelt Johnson stated “This was a great opportunity for the guys from ManUP to see a play in which they had recently read; we just acted this a week ago!”

We believe culturally enriching field trips matter. They produce significant benefits for students on a variety of educational outcomes that schools and communities care about. The effects of field trips to see live theater demonstrates that seeing plays is an effective way to teach academic content; increases our youth’s tolerance by providing exposure to a broader, more diverse world; and improves the ability of students to recognize what other people are thinking or feeling. These are significant benefits for students on specific educational outcomes that schools pursue and communities respect. Especially when considered alongside our community service efforts.

Not all learning occurs most effectively within the walls of a school building. Going on enriching field trips to cultural institutions makes effective use of all of a community’s resources for teaching children. You can never know what may impact a child’s life.  Ann (an Old Globe usher) said excitingly “It’s so amazing to see such young people engaged and following Shakespeare… We normally don’t get that here.”

H.E.A.R.T. at Summer Pops!

by April | Community, Team Building

The Blue Heart Foundation’s mentoring program had the opportunity to volunteer and attend the San Diego Symphony’s Summer Pops.  One of San Diego’s most exciting musical summer traditions the San Diego Symphony launched Star Spangled Pops—a patriotic extravaganza with special guest TV’s American Idol and San Diego native Jessica Sanchez along with the San Diego Master Chorale led by Academy Award-winner Bill Conti conducting.

H.E.A.R.T.  had the opportunity to contribute to this exciting event as they volunteered by welcoming all attendees and insuring all the littlest fans were provided with glowsticks, becoming a part of the celebration. Our young men also assisted Education Programs Assistant Allison Morrisey in the kid zone where young people made their own firework bling rings as well as wrote letters to our troops serving overseas. Allison would later say “Thanks for bringing your guys to volunteer with us on Friday.  They did a great job and were incredibly poised young gentlemen.  I was so grateful to have their help and am impressed at their maturity and willingness to help out!”

Afterwards we enjoyed the San Diego symphony featuring Jessica Sanchez and fireworks! The Star Spangled Pops will celebrate Independence Day like no other. It was a great, colorful and festive party on San Diego Bay.  Located on picturesque Embarcadero Marina Park South behind the Convention Center, the Star Spangled Pops featured God Bless the U.S.A., America the Beautiful, Battle Hymn of the Republic, a salute to the Armed Forces and a special rendition of Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy which was performed by Jessica Sanchez. It’ll was a special night night to remember. Dallas Edge stated “This was a great opportunity to come out and participate in helping our community and show support for our troops… I have never been to the symphony and this was amazing!”

Taco Tuesday with The Padres

by April | Community, Team Building

June 30th, 2015 – Save the hot dogs for Wrigley Field. On Tuesdays at Petco Park in San Diego, its all about Tacos! The Blue Heart Foundation’s HEART program, family and friends enjoyed a game of interleague play against the Seattle Mariners. All were ready and fully prepared to enjoy an evening of baseball on Taco Tuesday!

Participation in our first Taco Tuesday with the Padres was a huge success as we partnered with the San Diego Padres Charity Ticket Program and attended our first game as a group. Identified as a charity group to partner with the Padres we were sure to take full advantage and had 100% particiaption. Some of our guys were featured twice during the game with live shots on FriarVision.

Jacques (HEART Member) stated ” I had a great time watching the Padres with the group; it was even cooler when we were on the big screen!!! and when asked his thoughts about being on Friarvision Jacques exclaimed “That was a great experience, I never though that would happen to me!” all while smiling ear to ear.

We partnered with the San Diego Padres Major League Baseball’s “Commissioner’s Community Initiative” and MLB Player’s Association “Players Give Back” to donate complimentary tickets to deserving non-profit organizations who serve children within the Padres focus of LIVE (children’s health), LEARN (education) PLAY (recreation), and SERVE (military and first responders).

Though the Padres lost it did not diminish the excitement of the group, all had a fabulous time staying until the last out was recorded. We look forward to our next trip to Petco Park and have to thank Christina Papasedero and the community relations and Padres Foundation for the opportunity. Robert Rush (Parent) framed the event perfectly when he said “All the kids had a great time last night, they just wish the Padres had gotten more hits… This was the first baseball game for many of them and I’d like to thank the Padres for the opportunity.”