LOT318's Ongoing Programs:
LOT318 stands for “Loving Others in Truth” from the verse 1 John 3:18. We exist to minister to at risk youth and their community by empowering them to see their worth and purpose in this world. We accomplish this by holding various events and service opportunities, to open their eyes to the world around us. We challenge them to serve others in the community and make a difference among their peers. We believe in education, and teaching them to value themselves and the resources they have available to them. Our goal is to give them opportunities they may never have had, to become a positive influence and force in our world, and to love them in truth.
The founding geographical location of LOT318 was strategically planned. It is in an area of about 5,000 homes. There is a large gang presence in Orange County, and the location of this outreach is located between two of these gangs. The Director’s aim, and she has proven successful in the early stages of her efforts, is to entice at-risk youth away from gang activity and at the same time improve their educational performance.
According to local police, there are three gangs in this particular area, each with a core of 75-100 members and swelling to as many as 250 members at any given times. These gangs are turf gangs, but have been involved in everything from graffiti to murder and attempted murder. It is LOT318's desire to provide their programs to this community.
After School Homework Club:
The Directors tutor students four days a week, for two hours after their normal school day. Their “classroom” is the sidewalk in front of a duplex apartment complex. Every day they set up the tables and chairs, and outdoor gas heaters if needed, on the sidewalk in front of an apartment at 1023 Cypress. The local teenagers assist them in retrieving the tables, chairs, and other supplies, from a nearby garage where they are stored at the end of each session.
Students from nearby universities serve as volunteer instructors and help the youth in a wide variety of areas, from math to reading, and, when computers become available, basic skills for report preparation and studying via the internet.
Leadership Development:
Lot318 provides mentorship opportunities by building individual relationships with community members. We provide leadership opportunities for students of all ages and empower them with service opportunities.
Legal Counseling:
Lot318 provides legal information and walks needy members through the steps of necessary legal processes. Please contact us if we can assist you.
Summer Programs:
We continue our education programs throughout the summer with a weekly reading club. We partner with the community library and practice reading through fun, educational games and curriculum. In addition to our education program, we host weekly movie nights, beach days, bible studies and educational field trips.
We also sponsor groups of children who have participated in the Summer Reading Program to go to Calicinto Ranch for summer camp. The children get to experience riding horses, enjoying healthy all you can eat homemade meals, cooling off in the swimming pool, making crafts, playing basketball and volleyball, holding little farm animals, and playing a whole lot of country games. The children are shown how to carry these same attitudes over in other areas of their lives such as: writing letters of gratefulness, keeping things clean and tidy, and making right choices. They learn the value of respect and teamwork.