This year the Redlands Micah House Chapel location will be the sponsored location by Redlands Keller Williams.

RED Day is an initiative where Keller Williams Realty offices throughout the United States and Canada turn their attention to community service. Every year on the second Thursday in May, associates participate in service projects within their communities.

Keller Williams will be working with the Micah House to enhance the exterior of their building for “curb appeal.”

Tracy Calzaretta, ministry assistant for Trinity Community Foundation, said, “Keller Williams was looking at different non-profit organizations who they could reach out to and help serve. I met and shared with them what we do, like our after school program, and tutoring for our at-risk kids. We have a lot of improvements that need to be made at both Micah House locations and they felt their service opportunities would best serve our needs at the Chapel location.”

Calzaretta said, “We have an afternoon schedule where we have two different age groups come in for our program called Reality Changers and Keller Williams will talk to our older kids about career opportunities, if they want to go into real estate.”

Tiffany Arizaga, a Realtor with Keller Williams, said, “I think this event is awesome.

It’s something we are doing for the Micah House-Chapel youth. We are going to have a lot of help so this is going to be a big event and we are very excited.”

“This is a huge milestone for us. This will be an all day event, as we will be doing the exterior enhancements in the morning and working with the youths in the afternoon and mentoring them,” she said.

Calzaretta said they are really excited and think this is going to be a great outreach. It’s a great opportunity to have their kids see professionals come in and want to be a part of something good.

There are several sponsors helping with the Micah House Chapel, including Wells Fargo and Home Depot.

Suze Knobler, Staff Writer
Posted: 05/07/2012 03:22:56 PM PDT
Reach Suze at 909-793-3221.

(John Valenzuela/Staff Photographer) Kenya Perez 10, of Redlands is congratulated by Pamela Karr, Youth Services Librarian for the A.K Smiley Library after recieving a In-N-Out certificates for reading five library books, during the Micah House Chapel's family field trip, Wednesday, April 11, 2012.

4/11/2012 REDLANDS – Twenty-five smiling faces belonging to first grade through high school children were gathered outside of the A.K. Smiley Public Library on Wednesday afternoon. Those smiles belonged to children from the Micah House Chapel.

The smiles were because of a family day that they were about to embark on that included a tour of the children’s section of the library, the reward of In-N-Out Burger certificates and a guided tour of the Redlands Bowl from Marsha Gebara.

The famous burger joint partnered with the library to host the Cover to Cover Club, a reading incentive for the library.

(John Valenzuela/Staff Photographer) Micah House Chapel Program Director, Dianna Lawson talks to her group about the statue of Grace Stewart Mulligan, founder of the Redlands Bowl, during there family field trip to the A.K Smiley Library and the Redlands Bowls, Wednesday, April 11, 2012.

The requirements were children had to be between the ages of 4 through 12 years old and read five library books.

“The library allows the kids to use their books in the Micah House library. They have been so excited and there has been a huge build up for today. The kids already knew about the new In-N-Out in Highland, so that just made today even more fun,” Dianna Lawson program coordinator of the Micah House Chapel, said.

Next the families roamed the wide variety of books in the children’s section of the library with many parents stopping to read books to their children.

While Brenda Florez’ older son Santos Florez was awaiting his In-N-Out certificate she took time out to read to her younger son, 3-year-old Luis Florez.

Luis excitedly asked his mother questions in Spanish as she read three books to him.

“This is my first time to the library, and I think it is beautiful. I would like to come again,” Brenda Florez said.

Nine-year-old Cody Garcia was also excited for the visit to the library.

“I love to read chapter books. Goosebumps books are my favorite to read,” said Cody.

Ten-year old Kenya Perez said that this is a normal thing for her to read five books.

“I love to read and read a lot. `Diary of a Whimpy Kid’ is my favorite book,” Kenya said.

(John Valenzuela/Staff Photographer) Redlands Community Music Association program director, Marsha Gebara gives a tour of the Redlands Bowl, to the children of Micah House Chapel,during there field trip, Wednesday, April 11, 2012.

The last part of family day consisted of a tour guided by Gebara, Redlands Bowl program director.

Kristi Marnell, Redlands Bowl office manager put together this event for the families.

Gebara gave a history lesson on the Redlands Bowl. The families were amazed when Gebara said that 4,000 people can occupy the seats.

Lawson said that the event was better than she could have imagined.

“This is not an area of town that they come to on a normal day. Between the library, coupons and the tour of the bowl this has been great. I am so proud of the kids for being so interactive and asking questions,” Lawson said.

Lawson said she wants these families to feel comfortable in this kind of atmosphere.

“This can open doors for them, and I want them to be a part of the Redlands community. This is my desire. Even some of our University of Redlands work-study students from other states didn’t know we had all of this wonderful history in Redlands and want to come back because of it,” said Lawson.

(John Valenzuela/Staff Photographer) Gloria Bahena, 8, of Redlands goes to grab an egg during the Easter Egg Hunt, hosted by Micah House at Burrage Manison in Redlands, Thursday, April 5, 2012.

4/5/2012 REDLANDS – Sara Soto and John McKray strolled through the grounds at the Burrage Mansion as if they were walking in the front yard of their own home.

For Sara, a freshman at Redlands High School, and McKray, a 20-year old, taking part in Micah House events such as Thursday’s Easter egg hunt at the mansion is a lot like spending time with family.

Sara and McKray volunteered their time to hide eggs, including the much sought after golden egg, throughout the scenic lawns, and the 70 or so Micah House children who joined them were beaming with smiles.

“Being here is like giving back,” said McKray, who took part in his first Micah House Easter egg hunt when he was in the fifth grade. “When I first came to the Micah House there were older kids helping me. When I got older I wanted to help the younger kids.”

(John Valenzuela/Staff Photographer) Adrian Buenrosho, 9, of Redlands puts the finishing touches on his bunny bag, during his visit with Micah House, Thursday, April 5, 2012.

It was the fourth straight year Micah House held the Easter egg hunt.

“The kids just love it,” said Dianna Lawson, program coordinator for the Micah House Chapel. “These visits become memories for the kids.”

Each child took home a bag of Easter eggs and roamed the grounds with friends and family.

“They are able to do this through Micah House,” Lawson said. “It’s a real family feel. It’s like a huge family here.”

Sara attended the first four Easter egg hunts.

“The kids are so excited, they are estatic,” she said. “It’s like they get overwhelmed.”

Sara and McKray examined the grounds carefully to find the right nesting spot for the golden egg.

That didn’t stop 11-year-old Armani Rueda. The Franklin Elementary School fifth-grader found the golden egg and let everyone know about it.

“I feel like the golden egg is going to be good luck for me,” Rueda said. “I’m can’t wait to tell my mom. She is going to be so proud of me.”

Micah House tutor Kelly Odar was there when Rueda, who had already found 17 Easter eggs, found the golden egg.

“She held the egg in her hand, raised it in the air and yelled `I found it,”‘ Odar said.

Rueda is a regular at Micah House.

“I think Micah House is awesome,” Rueda said. “I get to play and I get to finish my homework.”

Source: John Valenzuela
Redlands Daily Facts  2/6/2012

Jovie Dabu, general manager of La-Z-Boy West (center) presents a check for $3,000 to Dave Wilson (right center), Director of Micah House, Dianna Lawson (left center), Program Coordinator Micah House Chapel, Chelsea Mackie (far left), Micah House Chapel TechMission Intern and Kevin Gillespie (far right), Chairman of the Micah House Board.

4/9/2012 Redlands – Micah House thanks the La-Z-Boy West, and its general manager Jovie Dabu, for their generous donation and continued support of the Micah House after school programs.  For the fourth year in a row La-Z-Boy has provided the Micah House with much-needed funds to continue its work.  The two Micah Houses in Redlands mobilize a staff of volunteers to provide programs that focus on the educational, emotional, and social needs of youth ages 6-17, including homework help, one-to-one and small-group tutoring, mentoring, nutritious snacks, character development, recreational activities and literacy education. Each week the Micah Houses serve approximately 80 kids to provide the assistance that the other public and private agencies are not able to provide.  Kevin Gillespie, Chairman of the Micah House Advisory Board commented: “We depend upon the financial support of the community to enable us to do our work.  On behalf of the Micah House, I extend our heart-felt thanks to Mr. Dabu and La-Z-Boy West for its continued support of Micah House.”  La-Z-Boy has been recognized by the City of Redlands in the past for it’s environmentally-conscious business practices, and Micah House would like to also recognize them for their investment in the youth/future of this City.  We look forward to many more years of partnership with La-Z-Boy for the good of the children and the City.  Anyone desiring more information about the Micah House program can call either Dave Wilson at (909) 335-7333 Ext. 119 or Kevin Gillespie at (909) 792-2039, or www.micahhouseredlands.org.

Redlands Daily Facts

If you have any questions, please call Dianna Lawson, Micah House Chapel’s Program Coordinator at: 909-747-7447

Source: Micah House
Redlands Daily Facts 2/20/2012

Pictured: Leigh Brown, Dianna Lawson, Myra MeHarry, Brian Alesi, Sarah Cain, David Wilson

12/23/2011 – Micah House of Redlands received a check for $4,000 from Stater Bros Charities this week. Representatives from Stater Bros. gathered at Micah House’s Oxford Drive location to present this year’s gift to support their work with at-risk kids from low-income families in the underserved neighborhood of North Redlands. The volunteer program provides after-school activities for kids like homework help, tutoring, literacy support, math and science skills along with a host of other academic improvement resources. “This gift will help us provide wholesome and nutritious snacks for our kids, along with guidance on diet and exercise that will equip them to make good decisions for a long and healthy life. There is a strong correlation between nutrition and academic achievement, and we strive to give Micah House kids a firm foundation from which to build” says Director, David Wilson.

Sarah Cain, Executive Director for Stater Bros. Charities said “This donation is part of our Harvesting Hope campaign where we donate over $450,000 throughout the holiday season to organizations like Micah House. Since 2008, Stater Bros. Charities has donated over $5 million to Southern California communities.”

Micah House is part of Trinity Community Foundation and has two locations serving 100+ children on Chapel Street and Oxford Drive in Redlands. For more information on Micah House, visit their website at www.MicahHouseRedlands.org or contact Director David Wilson at DWilson@trinityonline.org or 909-335-7333, x140.          

Source: Micah House
Redlands Daily Facts 12/23/2011

The first week of school, Deb Burger from Franklin Elementary called to meet with me at the school. While I was there I was able to meet some of the Micah House student’s teachers. I let them know that Micah House was here to support them in any way. I explained that our goal was to work hand in hand with them to ensure the student’s completed their homework and excelled in their education. At this point, one of the teachers asked me if knew a certain student (Victor) and if I had received a letter she had written regarding him. I said “yes,” and she explained that because we allowed this student to attend Micah House, and due to the work of our volunteers with Victor, he was promoted and not retained as they had originally planned. She wanted to thank me, the volunteers, and our program for making a difference in this child’s life. What she didn’t know was the difference this child had made in the life of a volunteer!

 Sharon has been the dedicated tutor for Victor since January. Here is her story in her own words:

“Volunteering to help the kids at Micah House has been wonderful for me, once I decided to actually get involved. When I heard about Micah House, I knew that I could help since my days were free, but because of the depression that I was in, I couldn’t bring myself to even think about doing it. In fact, I didn’t even want to leave the house. My husband heard about the need for volunteers and said that he would like to help out. Well, I wasn’t going to let him go alone, so I went too.” “I loved my first experience there and couldn’t wait to do it again the next week. The Micah House program has given my life purpose and meaning, as well as an opportunity to let God work through me to help these kids. The kids at Micah House really like the program and there is even a waiting list for other kids who want to get in, but can’t because there are not enough volunteers. I feel so blessed because of these kids, and I am so thankful to God that I made the decision to serve.” – Sharon

Micah House Kids Give to Others for Thanksgiving

11/24/2011 - Children from the Micah House programs in Redlands recently had a Thanksgiving food drive for a family in need.

The children and their families brought in enough food to fill the backs of two cars. The donated food was given to a Micah House family with a son who has had severe medical problems for the past three years.

Dianna Lawson, a Micah House program coordinator, said the family was touched and thankful.

“We wanted to teach our Micah House kids from both programs to learn the joy of giving and sharing with others,” Lawson said.

“What a joy it’s been this last week to daily have these wonderful kids learn about giving to others, and see them bring in bags of food for this family.”

Micah House is a free after-school program with two sites in north Redlands offering tutoring and spiritual, emotional and social support for children and youth from first through 12th grade.

Lawson is program coordinator for the site at 611 Chapel St., and Myra Meharry is coordinator at 1006 Oxford Drive.

Activities include homework help, classroom-style tutoring, arts, crafts, bicycle restoration, gardening and sports. There is also a computer lab.

Micah House is a program of Trinity Community Foundation, a nonprofit organization.

The program recently received a San Bernardino County Education medal of Honor in the volunteer in action/service group category.

SOURCE: Micah House
Redlands Daily Facts
Posted: 11/24/2011 06:15:23 AM PST

Level 1 (Beginning)

Micah House Chapel – Tuesday & Thursday 10:00 am – noon
Micah House Oxford – Tuesday & Thursday 11:00 am – 1:00 pm

Level 2 & 3 (Intermediate & Advanced)

Micah House Chapel – Monday & Wednesday 10:00 am – noon

For more information or to register by phone contact:

•  Mr. Sullivan (909) 335-7351 or
• Mrs. Carrier (909) 794-4736

If you are interested in helping to teach English please contact Mr. Sullivan.