The Back Story about Shalimar

  by  Bobbi Dauderman,
    WOV OC Chairman, Shalimar Project

THINK Together Mission:  To assist educationally at-risk youth in low-income areas by providing homework help and academic support in order for them to succeed and stay in school.

In 1994, after a gang shooting in the Shalimar neighborhood of Westside Costa Mesa, mothers organized to take the neighborhood back from the gangs.  Their efforts caught the attention of a local businessman, Randy Barth.  He and several other leaders from local churches met with the mothers to see how they could help.

The Shalimar mothers told these leaders that what they needed was a safe, quiet place in the neighborhood for their children to go to after school, where they could get tutoring, help with English, and academic support.  Randy Barth organized two churches, a community group in the area, and Women of Vision to provide funding to rent several apartments in the Shalimar neighborhood, fund a staff position, and provide a small army of volunteer tutors.

Thanks mostly to the volunteers (many who were Women of Vision), the program became very successful.  Student grades improved, teen pregnancies dropped (Shalimar’s zip code had the highest teen pregnancy rate in Orange County), and crime rates in the neighborhood dropped.  The center became a catalyst for change.  The city redoubled their policing efforts to help reduce crime on Shalimar Drive.  Code Enforcement began efforts to clean up the apartments.  An apartment complex was razed and in its place a pocket park was established.  In the process, a neighborhood was transformed.

14 years later, Shalimar continues to serve over 360 students on a weekly basis.  More than 100 students from the Shalimar neighborhood alone have gone on to college, all the first in their families to do so.  The twenty or so of these students have now graduated from college, are in the workforce and serve as mentors to their younger siblings and friends.

Randy Barth is a visionary leader.  Realizing the tremendous need to reach out to so many more students, Randy founded THINK Together (of which Shalimar is a part). Today, THINK Together provides comprehensive after school programs at more the 170 school and community sites across 19 school districts and serving more than 20,000 students. Shalimar, the original center, continues to provide inspiration and a proven history for this important mission which Women of Vision has long supported both financially and with volunteers.

News from Shalimar Teen Center:

In June Shalimar Teen Center saw 13 seniors graduate from high school. These graduates are now attending a 4-year university or a 2-year community college.

The summer 2008 program for teens, “Immigration Stories”, offered students the opportunity to interview and to write narratives about friends and family .  They also enjoyed field trips to the beach, the art museum and the OC  Fair.

This year there are 18 seniors, the largest group yet, who will be preparing to graduate and pursue a college education.  The teen center includes both Jr. High and Sr. High grade levels – 7-12.

Volunteer Opportunities:

     Tutors to lead study sessions for high school students in Math and Science

     1 tutor to work one-on-one on math with a freshman student on Tuesdays and  
      Thursdays 3:30-4:30 pm

     Volunteer drivers for upcoming fieldtrips

     Volunteers to help senior students look at college choices (online) and download 
     applications

Needs at the Teen Center

* Supplies for the Art Club (clay)

* Bathroom mirror

* Board Games

Teen Center Hours

Monday – Thursday, 3:15-6:15        Friday 3:15-5:15

Feel free to call  or stop by any time.  You are invited to visit.  If you want to fill a need at the center please contact Malu Castro, Director    

949-650-7648   779 Shalimar Dr.  Apt. 2, Costa Mesa, CA 92627

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