Relationships with Neighbors
Oldtimers Foundation
In 2008, the City of Vernon created a partnership with the Oldtimers Foundation in Huntington Park to provide access to the community pool for thousands of children living in Huntington Park, Maywood and Bell. Thanks to a generous sponsorship from Vernon, Oldtimers was able to keep its pool open (the only available community pool in Huntington Park), helping kids have fun, enhance their swimming abilities and stay cool.
“We’re very grateful to the City of Vernon for helping us to ensure access to our swimming pool all summer long,” said Oldtimers Foundation CEO George Cole. “We look forward to welcoming the children and their parents to our pool this summer.”
“Thanks to this generous sponsorship from the City of Vernon and the hospitality of the Oldtimers Foundation, our local kids will have access to a fantastic pool facility and thoroughly enjoy the rest of the summer,” said Huntington Park Mayor Elba Guerrero. “This is a great example of communities working together to create solutions that enhance the summertime experience for kids in Huntington Park and surrounding areas.”
Bell High School Swimming Pool
The City of Vernon sponsored a pool program at Bell High School that extended the current pool program offered by the school. Thanks to a generous donation from Vernon, Bell High School was able to open the pool for students and Bell residents on Monday, Wednesday and Friday afternoons. The pool was previously only open Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday. The Bell High School facility is the only community pool in Bell.
Southeast Cities Technology Collaborative
The City of Vernon provided funding for the Southeast Region Technology Collaborative’s Mobile Technology Lab. This grant included a brand new RV housing a high tech computer lab, as well as 20 laptops and the associated technology, including a printer, scanner, projector and screen.
Through this grant, Vernon is part of truly transforming and improving the quality of life for residents in nearby cities. The mobile lab will mean that people living in the Southeast cities will have access to the internet and technology like never before. This will open up a world of opportunities – improving access to educational and health information, building literacy, assisting with employment searches, and helping residents to acquire housing, community and health care services.
Community Science Days
The City of Vernon sponsored two Community Science Days at the Maywood Academy, providing over 250 elementary school students in year-round schools with an extracurricular opportunity to learn about science in an interactive and exciting way.
During the Science Day, elementary school students in Southeast Los Angeles from schools including Maywood, Huntington Park, Montara, Lillian, Pacific, Park, Liberty, Fishburn, Hope and Madison, took part in experiments and interactive programs to develop their understanding of scientific principles. A highlight of the afternoon was the “CSI Crime-lab Simulation”, which required students to identify a mystery powder in the same way that the characters solve crimes on the popular television show CSI, teaching the physical and chemical properties of elements. They also learned about climate change from expert scientist, John Zalvaney.
“The activities engaged students in an entirely new and effective way. It has never been more important to expose young people to the joys of science and we are grateful that the City of Vernon provided the support to make this happen,” said Pamela Williams LAUSD District 6 Science Expert.
