‘In the Making’ and ‘The Garage Board’ Shop offer help and support to children and young people in the community
Maribel Valdez always wanted to help her East Los Angeles community where she was born and raised. Today, along with her partner, Edward Chang, they offer hundreds of Angeleno children and youth jobs, resources, mentorship, and the opportunity to help their families and community. Her organization In the Making works with Los Angeles County, through the Youth @ Work program that offers paid employment of $ 15 an hour to youth between 14 and 24 years of age.
“My dream of an organization to help others began 10, 15 years ago, when I was taking care of my brother’s children,” Valdez recalled, in an interview with The opinion. Valdez began her community work organizing activities and events, “but at that time it was very difficult for a single mother like me, without experience.”
Dreams that come true
Valdez did not give up and in 2015, together with Chang, they began working with the organization Spread the Aloha to Kids (He hands out the Aloha with the children).
“Spread Aloha to Kids is a non-profit organization that raises funds to help orphaned children in Vietnam, Nicaragua, Signapore and other parts of the world, ”explained Chang. “But our effort grew so fast and we were helping so many people that with the same organization we saw that we had to start doing it on our own,” shared Chang. This is how the idea for the boutique was born.
“In the Making he was born in a very humble way. We operated from the trunk of a jeep and we grew to rent a place, where today the boutique operates. It was a giant growth, “he added.
Today, the boutique offers work to young people between 14 and 24 years old, through the Los Angeles County program. In the Making receives donations of clothing, shoes and accessories, and in turn makes donations to low-income families.
“We don’t like to say that we make donations ‘to those who need it most,’ but we donate to ‘who will benefit the most‘”Valdez said.
“We want it to be a recognition experience, special and worthy for the families we help, ”added Chang.
Valdez shared that when they go to schools and donate nice things, some children are suspicious and ask them, “What’s the catch, what do you ask in return?”
“We tell them to only return the favor by helping others, or ‘Pay it Forward‘”Valdez explained. “On Thursdays and Fridays, from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm we share our ‘Community Treasures’ (Community Treasures) where we sell clothing, shoes and other accessories, all from just $ 1 to $ 5. Sometimes we sell clothes by the pound, for those who want to take them to their countries, ”explained Valdez.
As a result of the pandemic and although young people continue to work in the boutique, the store is physically closed to the public, but it continues to operate virtually.
“One thing we notice is that young people today are very smart. We offer them tutoring and resources to learn about marketing, finance, but so do they bring their ideas and creativity. The students were the ones who organized the concept of virtual shoppingChang indicated. “Young people today are much better than I was at their age. They are the leaders of the future, a much better future. Here we always joke and say ‘Hold on’, get ready for when this wave of youngsters grow upHe added laughing.
“Kailey, one of the students in the program says that when she grows up she will be a judge on the Supreme Court; another, who will be an immigration lawyer. What I can say is that these young people they give me back my faith in the future “Valdez agreed.
Another of the activities that young people carry out through the organization is to volunteer in a food bank, organized by The Garage Board Shop.
Between ‘skates’ and homework
Jerry and Patty Ramblaz are another couple that make a difference in the lives of thousands of young Angelenos. For 10 years, both have been helping children and adolescents from their skateboard shop (skateboards) The Garage Board Shop.
“We work together with them,” Valdez said and explained that on Fridays, from 9:30 am to 2:00 pm, the youth of the program They help distribute food at the food bank. “Like us, they are a couple who seek to make a difference and give back to the community. They have always been very open with us and that is why we can collaborate with them ”.
“Every Friday, between 10 and 15 volunteers come to help the food bank,” explained Patty Ramblaz, from The Garage Board Shop, in an interview with The opinion. The organization rGive food to the community, for the whole week, whether for those who arrive by car, through the drive through, as for those who are walking and picking up food in the alley.
Ramblaz said that her organization also helps children who participate in the program to do their homework for school.
“In the beginning, the children came to the store, to events and activities that we organized, but they did not want to do their homework,” Ramblaz recalled. “Now we do small competitions and we give points to the children who apply the most. On Fridays and Saturdays, we bring pizza and popsicles to the children who had the most points, to celebrate ”, he added. As with everything, the pandemic has also forced to modify the program, which is now carried out virtually.
In the last 10 years, The Garage Board Shop has helped more than 3,000 children They come, not just from East Los Angeles, but also from communities throughout LA.
Needs in the community
Working for so many years with the community, Valdez and Chang know first-hand what its greatest needs are.
“Housing and mental health they are the biggest problems that exist today in our community ”, the couple agreed and highlighted in particular the need for resources and support that foster youth have (Foster Care). When they turn 18, thousands of teens in the foster system are left homeless and end up living on the streets.
“Many of the young people who came to the program and graduated come back to help other young people in need. They are your mentors, and by having little difference in age, they can identify better with them, they listen to them more, ”Chang explained.
“The owner to whom we rent the premises has a piece of land behind. My dream, one day, is be able to turn that land into a community garden and install ‘tiny homes’ so that young people who leave the foster system do not have to end up homelessValdez shared hopefully.
In detail
This Saturday, September 26 and Sunday, September 27, everyone is invited to the ‘Blowout Sale’, where they can buy clothes, shoes, accessories, makeup and household items, all for $ 1. The sale, which will take place on the last Saturday of each month, benefits young people, while offering incredible deals to the community.
Than: Sell everything for a dollar
When: Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 of September from 1:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Where: 4024 E. Cesar Chavez Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90063.
For more information About In the Making, you can visit https://www.inthemakingla.org/
For more information About The Garage Board Shop, you can visit https://www.thegarageboardshops.com/
