Rehearsals
Rehearsals for Yashiya will begin tonight and carry on throughout the week at Isla Vista Hillel. Tonight's rehearsal will begin at 7:30 while rehearsals from Tuesday through Thursday will begin at 9:00. We have a few parts for the play already cast, but we're hoping to find some new talent this week to fill out the rest of the roles in the play. I'm looking forward to the rehearsals personally because we'll finally be putting what we've been working so hard on paper into action. Hopefully, everyone's creative juices will be flowing at these rehearsals and we'll come up with some really fun and innovative things for the play. No matter what, I think the rehearsals are going to be a blast.
More Yashiya
We worked on Yashiya more today at Morris' place. As usual, it was awesome. Everyone there had a ton of energy and was having a really great time, you could tell. We'll be holding rehearsals at Hillel throughout next week. I can't wait to see what's in store.
Play
Production on our play Yashiya is carrying on this week. Tomorrow, we will have our first full read through on the script that Jordan and I have been working on for the entirety of the week. I'm really excited about it. The play is night and day from what it was at the beginning of the week. Really funny, and Jordan and I have been having a blast writing it. Honestly, I feel as if this play could go places. Naturally, it needs a good deal more tweaking, but the idea is an original take on an old institution and the action is a mix of genres that ultimately has an appealing message. We heard the music today, as well, and like the dialogue, it's a long way from where it used to be. It's so fulfilling to see your hardwork coming together like it is in Yashiya. I can't wait for the finished product and see what we can do next with it.
Debate
Last night at meeting we discussed several new directions that the foundation could take in its approach to paying students. The ensuing debate that took place was a great indicator of the passion and energy the fellows feel for the foundation. It wasn't an argument based on personal reward, but rather it was about what is best for the foundation. Of course, what is best for the foundation is best for the students. It feels good, however, to see that our fellows take such a vested interest in the mechanics of the organization that they work within.
Creating Magic
As of today, there is a newly elected chairman for the Yashiya play and that person is Jordan Fruchtman. For the remainder of the week, Jordan and I will be working together to flesh out the dialogue of the play. Like the radio show, this is another terrific opportunity for Jordan and I to flex our creative muscles. Together, I feel as if Jordan and I can create some real magic. We've already been hard at work all day revamping the groundwork that was laid for the play about a month ago. I think the play now has a chance to be something very special, mixing humor, song, and dance into a pleasing package that packs a powerful message. To find out what that message is, you'll have to come see Yashiya later this year.
JBL
Last night was the third successful Jewish Business League meeting featuring a retired stockbrocker. It's great to see the enthusiasm that the members are bringing to each meeting and the continued growth of Kevin Sherman, its founder, into a leader. At first, Kevin was unsure of himself and how to run the organization, but now one can definitely see that his confidence has been steadily building. So we congratulate Kevin and the rest of the Jewish Business League and look forward to many more great events from them.
Big Red Unleashed
I have to say that doing the weekly radio show on 880 AM in the dormitories at UCSB with Jordan the past few weeks has been one of the most enjoyable projects I've done with the foundation yet. Not only do I get to hang out and joke with my good friend Jordan Fruchtman, we have the opportunity to speak openly about subjects important to us. It is in our nature to want to stoke a fire in everyone's belly for the issues we are passionate about; if we are passionate about something, then we want others to know about and feel the same passion for that thing as we do. With the radio, Jordan and I actually have the opportunity to do this. For example, every week we have a segment about triathlon training wherein I am able to report my progress on training for upcoming summer triathlons. It fills me with great pride and enthusiasm to be able to share my accomplishments and hopes in such a manner. We also have the opportunity with the radio show to get many of our friends involved, either as in-studio guests or call-ins. It's a project that's both fun and exciting, allowing me to explore my creative side in a free but public environment. I feel that it is already building my self-confidence and personal contentment. If you find yourself in the UCSB dormitories, tune in to 880 on your AM dial every Thursday from 4-5:30pm for Big Red Unleashed. I promise you won't be disappointed.
Guest Blog: Katie Maynard
Today I present words from another of our new fellows, Katie Maynard:
The Forest Foundation has enabled me to develop a training program for Education for Sustainable Living Program (ESLP) at UCSB. ESLP is a student-initiated, student-led effort to empower undergraduates to design their own courses around the concept of sustainability. This effort allows students to engage themselves and students around them in projects which will give back to both the campus and broader community while developing relationships with administration, staff, faculty, other students, and community members. ESLP is still in its early stages and has been limited to training through one on one work between myself and the students.It has been essential to have the Forest Foundation’s support through this process not only in terms of the stipend which they offer, but also in terms of the mentorship and skills trainings which they provide. In the past, I have relied on training myself and bringing in trainers from other cities in order to develop the skills that are essential for my work. This is a time consuming and often expensive process, draining the resources of myself and ESLP. The Forest Foundation has offered a wonderful gift by setting up these trainings for the fellows and even paying us to attend them.
Furthermore, the Forest Foundation Staff has been wonderful in offering support in grant-writing and advice on project development. Learning about grant writing from a professional fundraiser in a one on one setting is irreplaceable and is well beyond what ESLP would have the resources to supply without the support of the foundation. I am very glad to have this opportunity and am excited to continue working with and learning from the other fellows and staff of the foundation.
Time to Lead
The fellows who have been with us for the last several months are now being given the opportunity to form groups within the foundation of their own. They can go out and recruit other students to develop more programs with the foundation and they will be in charge of the students that they recruit. In this manner, we will begin to have several pods or sub-groups within the foundation. This is all being done in an effort to expand the reach of the foundation, and I think it's great. It will give our fellows hands-on experience in group management and administration, skills vital to the workplace. It's another chance, essentially, for our fellows to spur their personal development. They can further their leadership roles and inspire others to become leaders as well.
Guest Blog: Mary Trieu
Here are words from Mary Trieu, one of our new fellows:
I'm Mary Trieu and I am a 3rd year Women Studies and Global Studies doublemajor. I hope to help the Forest foundation expand its network of people to work with in the university as well as community. I hope that by working with the Multicultural center in promoting cultural awareness amongst students at UCSB and eventually to the rest of the community it will bring interested students to work with the Forest Foundation. The Forest foundation has given me the opportunity to spearhead my own project and provide in any way possible to make my program succeed. They also have schedule meetings to help fellows with public speaking as well as presentation skills. The Forest Foundation also provides the autonomy and support network necessary to promote and expand my project. I am very grateful that the Forest Foundation has given me the necessary funds as an individual to make this program last and not just a temporary solution.
guest Blog: Paulina Cortez
Today, I present words from another of our newest fellows, Paulina Cortez:
Ce-Ollin, the outreach project I am working on through the Forest Foundation is for continuation high school students in the Santa Barbara area. Ce-Ollin outreaches to the Santa Barbara La Cuesta and San Marcos La Cuesta campuses. The program enriches the community by working with the students to improve their current situation. It offers resources and information that may not be readily available to them, it provides alternative forms of education, and it encourages higher education. Students who participate in the program are paired with a student from UCSB. The one-on-one relationship allows the project organizers to cater the project to each student’s individual needs. In addition to the mentoring relationship, students are offered the opportunity to attend campus visits at UCSB and SBCC where they are introduced to the resources available on those campuses and attend workshops that introduce them to the university atmosphere.Aside from providing financial resources, the Forest Foundation’s support through training and consistent communication with staff has ensured the continuous progress of the project. The training is a valuable resource because we will be constantly introduced to new methods that our projects can be improved with. I have found it useful to have communication with the staff because it demonstrates their unconditional availability for any difficulties or problems that may arise with the project. The interaction with other fellows has been positive because of the network of support that is present in weekly meetings and trainings. I have an optimistic outlook for the interactions that will happen between other fellows and myself while working together for the common goal of community improvement.
Guest Blog: Adriana Gomez
Today are words from one of our newest fellows, Adriana Gomez, a UCSB student:
The program that I plan to develop already exists, but I hope to revive it for it has been dormant in the last two years due to funding. Through the resources that the Educational Program for Cultural Awareness left behind, I plan to have a series of workshops and events addressing issues regarding cultural awareness from several different aspects, particularly race, gender and sexual orientation. The workshops will provide the safe space for dialogue to happen, as well as a plan of action toward the –isms ineffectively attached to these issues. The plan of action will include trainings for interested students and community members on such issues to make sure that the information acquired from the workshops is spread.
With the assistance of the Forest Foundation, this program could and will eventually grow outside of the UCSB community, bringing these issues to the high school level and to local organizations. But, it will not only help the program grow and continue well after I have left it, but it will help me grow as a better communicator. Communication will be key throughout the program I hope to develop, and through the trainings, guidance and support that the foundation will provide, that growth within me will be expressed through the hopeful success and continuation of this program.
End of Bios
So that's it for our fellows' bios. Pretty interesting stuff, I think. As more fellows join the folds of the Forest Foundation, I'll continue to post their bios on this blog site. It's interesting to note the variety of lessons and experiences our fellows are taking from their time with the foundation. This indicates the dynamic nature of the Forest Foundation, that for each student what they take from their work is individually personal. Hopefully, individual members of our community are taking away similar feelings in their experiences with the foundation. If we achieve this end, we are truly lucky.
Guest Blog: Brad Greenbaum
Today are words from foundation fellow Brad Greenbaum, a Spanish and Global Studies major at UCSB:
Inspired by the possibilities that my new position with the Forest Foundation has opened for me, I introduce myself as Brad ‘The Adventure Guy’ Greenbaum. I am a Spanish and Global Studies double major at UCSB, and also a trip leader with the UCSB Adventure Programs. Taking note of my friend’s new job with the foundation, I immediately requested a chance to apply. Fueled by my positive and educational outdoor experiences at a young age, I decided to propose a program that would bring local underprivileged youth into the outdoors.
The Forest Foundation immediately instilled in me a feeling of pride, responsibility, and self-worth. I can’t explain the joy I get saying “I’ve got work to get done” and knowing that I’m not going to sit in an office or clean dishes, but rather I am working to make a lasting difference. I love the idea of extending a hand to a community through a program I myself have created, however there is also serious pressure and responsibility that comes with this excitement. I am learning about myself, testing my patience, determination and creativity on a daily basis. The excitement and pride I have already felt working with this foundation provide me with fuel to keep developing this program and challenge myself as an inventor, facilitator, and mentor.
BLOGDACIOUS
The Forest Foundation Fellowships have reached an all time new high, with 6 fellows and one more in the making. there are a number of incredible community projects that we are working on and, with their help, we will be one step closer to making this world a better place to live.
Don't forget to check out "Big Red Unleashed" from 4-5:30 880AM in the dormitories
Quote of the day-
shocks, pegs, lucky!
-Nopoleon Dynomite
Guest Blog: David Cygielman
Today I present words from David Cygielman, our Executive Director:
As the Executive Director of the Forest Foundation I see the impact it has on the students and the community. We are seeing students run with ideas that were mere dreams a few months prior. Our weekly trainings give them the education and skill set to turn ideas into reality. The concept of hiring students to turn their great ideas into actual programs is terrific and we see it in the programs they create. By paying them, it turns from volunteering into a job, where they are held accountable for their time. They must learn how to make budgets, create timelines, work with groups, lead meetings and much more. These are all necessary skills for them and they are actually being paid to learn them.
Personally I have gained tremendously. Being mentored by our founder, Morris Squire, is incredible. For an hour every morning I learn insights and perspectives that are brand new to me, coming from a world of experience. Being 23 and managing a multi-million dollar organization with over 25 employees is life experience that cannot be parallel at my age. It is both a tremendous opportunity as well as responsibility to be involved in such a cutting edge organization that brings life to our community.
Guest Blog: David Fingerote
Today David Fingerote, our Director of Development and Distribution and recent graduate of Claremont McKenna College, speaks:
There are many possibilities when it comes to placing artwork in locations that will be regularly seen and David is using them all. There are many coffee shops and restaurants in Santa Barbara that regularly allow artists to exhibit their work for periods of time. The locations that are currently exhibiting the artwork of Morris Bear Squire are: Starbucks, Paoli’s Restaurant, Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, Mojo Café, Java Jones, Silvergreen’s, The Jewish Federation of Santa Barbara, Isla Vista Bakery, Oriental Market in Goleta, and Sakura Express sushi restaurant.
The most exciting avenue that the Forest Foundation Art Department is tackling involves community support and activism. The Forest Foundation carries out this vision by hosting art exhibitions in conjunction with local businesses and organizations. These exhibitions feature a number of local artists and are seen as a wonderful opportunity to bring the community together while exposing the up and coming talent present in Santa Barbara. Our vision is to bring positive exposure to local artists and provide them with a knowledge base and resources to market themselves.
Guest Blog: Jordan Fruchtman
Today, words from Jordan Fruchtman, our Director of Fellowships and a recent UCSB graduate:
I have been working for the Forest Foundation since its inception and can honestly say that I have been growing ever since. I went from a part time Program Director to full time Fellowship Director in January of 2005 and I have never had a job, or been part of an organization whose mission I believe in more strongly. The Forest Foundation trusts in the individual’s ability to create miracles. The Forest Foundation is a catalyst that pushes university students beyond their preconceived limits into a mindset which allows them to affect change and become leaders. In the Forest Foundation, good enough just isn’t.
The Forest Foundation has allowed me to earn a competitive salary while doing meaningful work that I truly believe in. It has also given me the opportunity to grow as an individual and a professional. Most importantly though, the Forest Foundation has taught me that nothing is “good enough”, and that the individual can and should always strive for the best and then make it better.
My Blog
Today, I offer my own words on the foundation:
At a time when it is increasingly difficult for college students to find adequate employment after graduation, the Forest Foundation reaches out to this otherwise undervalued segment of the population. Not only does the foundation give young adults like myself the opportunity to make their mark professionally, but they also entrust you as a leader and push you in your abilities. I feel I would be hard-pressed to find such faith, commitment, and dedication shown to me somewhere else. More important than the work benefits, however, is what the foundation has meant to me personally.
The Forest Foundation has given me the chance to work according to my passion, writing, and to do this among my peers. It has installed in me a previously unknown confidence and contentment in my abilities. I have gained valuable leadership and interpersonal skills that I never would have thought I could obtain. Most importantly, I can honestly say that I have made a positive impact on others’ lives, from young children to senior citizens, and that has brought a purpose to everything I do, all thanks to the Forest Foundation.
