August 2019 Newsletter
Student Spotlight: Tim, East Austin College Prep Program
Recent just keep livin graduate, Timothy from our East Austin College Prep Program, is ready and headed to the Airforce! Before joining the jkl program, working out wasn’t something Timothy enjoyed. After participating in the jkl program for 4 straight years, he realized that the program was actually a driving force to make his dreams a reality.
Timothy completed his first half marathon, ran numerous 5k’s, started drinking more water, opened up during the gratitude circles and lost over 20 pounds. Timothy’s dedication to the jkl program helped shape his life, while keeping him motivated throughout his high school career. Program instructor, Jaqueline Vidal, explains, “Tim, attested that what truly got him through those rough nights was thinking about his family and the jkl program.
It was incredibly humbling that Timothy chose to come back only a few days after his graduation to join us for his last jkl session.” Timothy has dreamed of being a pilot since childhood and is taking all the necessary steps to make that dream come true. We are so proud of Timothy as he makes the strides to reach his goals!
Teacher Training 2019
On June 27th and June 28th, we hosted 80 of our just keep livin instructors who participated in another successful Teacher Training.
The event kicked off with a kayaking outing in Marina Del Rey, followed by a Happy Hour which allowed for instructors to mingle, see fellow veteran instructors, as well as to meet our new jkl instructors.
The Happy Hour consisted of fun games such as Jenga, Corn Hole and Connect 4. After a night of fun, the teachers were ready for full training the next day. This year’s theme of “A Well-Oiled Machine” provided the platform for all 36 of our programs to come together to share best practices, discuss programming, curriculum, and most importantly get re-energized for the 2019-2020 school year.
We added a component of discussing the work we have been doing with regards to our students’ Social Emotional Learning (SEL) and were able to share some of the data results from our post surveys. We took time to honor the loving memory of Rebecca Pfleger, a longtime JKL teacher from Dallas who passed away suddenly in January. We invited Rebecca’s brother and cousin out to the training to share a few words about Rebecca. It also gave us a chance to let her family know how much we appreciated the 8 years of loving care that she provided the Sam Houston jkl program.
We continue to hold Rebecca’s memory and her family close to our hearts.
Field Trip to Broad Museum
This summer, jkl students and staff from Animo Inglewood High School in Los Angeles had the chance to experience the world famous museum, “The Broad”.
Our dear friend of the Foundation, Cece Karz, who is an art historian and collector of contemporary art led an amazing tour for our jkl students. Soul of a Nation: Art in the Age of Black Power 1963-1983 was a definite highlight. Students learned about so many African American artists like Romare Bearden, Faith Ringgold, Betye Saar, William T. Williams and many more who used minimalism and abstraction techniques.
The students also enjoyed the mind altering experience of Yayoi Kusama’s infinity mirror and Jeff Koon’s huge Balloon Dog.
JKL Interns
Recently it was National Intern Day, so we want to give a shout out to our fabulous just keep livin interns for all their hard work this summer!
Lucy (left) will be a Senior at Marymount High School in the upcoming school year, and Heidi (right) will be a Junior at Animo Ralph Bunche.
Lucy loves playing tennis to stay active and fit. Heidi plays basketball and is excited to try out for her school team in the upcoming school year. We are so proud of these two and can’t wait to see what the future holds for these bright and determined young ladies!
Beller Nutrition Recipe of the Month
Fiber-Boosted Sweet Potato To Go
Rachel Beller MS, RDN
This recipe is quick, satisfying and affordable. You can prepare 3-4 sweet potatoes at a time, and have them for breakfast over the course of a week or simply enjoy one as a pre-workout snack as it offers so much of the essentials needed. Not to mention, it packs in an amazing 11 grams of fiber, which can set you up nicely to reach your daily fiber goals.
Makes: 1 sweet potato with toppings
Ingredients:
• 1 sweet potato, washed
• 1 tablespoon chia seeds
• 1-2 teaspoons almond or nut butter of choice (optional)
• ½ teaspoon cinnamon
Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Place potatoes on prepared baking sheet and roast for about 45 minutes to 1 hour. Remove from oven and allow to cool for 5-10 minutes.
Camila’s Tips
STRAWBERRY + BLUEBERRY BREAKFAST PARFAIT
A great + healthy way to start your day! This recipe is healthy, nutritious, easy to make, and can be done in just a few minutes! It also has a great presentation factor, and would make a beautiful addition to any breakfast table.
Swag of the Month:
New… Grab a Seat!
These folding chairs with a carry bag are perfect for family events, tailgating and nearly any outdoor activity!