Specialty Programs

Sports Program

The athletic program provides the opportunity for student athletes to compete against athletes from other schools in basketball, baseball and softball as part of the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) program. During the 2004-2005 basketball season our boys' basketball team represented the California Interscholastic Federation's Freedom League in the playoffs in Los Angeles. From most viewpoints that made 2005 a "miracle year." Considering our school typically has only about 20 students to choose from this was quite an accomplishment. It definitely speaks to the character, commitment and teamwork of the children and staff that were directly involved as well as those that provided support and encouragement to the athletes. The sports program truly enriches the overall therapeutic experience for the children.

Performing and Literary Arts Program

The Oak Grove Performing and Literary Arts Program is under the direction of Stacey Dove Daniels. We have found that the arts are very powerful for the population we serve. Many of our children have suffered from abuse, trauma, depression, and many other problems. Oak Grove is committed to helping these children overcome their problems so they can become productive, responsible adults. With Stacey's leadership and vision, we have had the privilege of working with the Musician's Workshop, The Temecula Arts Council, the GAP Grant and Dorland Arts. We have found that as our at-risk youth experience the power of the Arts, amazing things can happen including healing, greater confidence and self-esteem, freedom in self-expression and positively connecting with others. Stacey Dove Daniels has worked with this special population for the past 3 years and is a multi-platinum award winning song writer. Our dream is to begin raising funds for the Oak Grove Performing and Literary Arts Center.

We are happy to announce that Temecula Live has agreed to support us in this goal by doing a Benefit Country Western Concert as a means of raising funds for the new Performing Arts and Literary Program. Oak Grove is a nonprofit 501c3 (Fed Tax ID 33-0470046)

The Temecula Live Country Western Review is a benefit performance for this program. For further information see the event section or www.temeculalive.org Additionally, Andrew Davis with Dorland Arts is preparing the students for a Gallery Showing during this event.

Highlights from our Arts Program:

Upcoming Events and Performances for Oak Grove Students:

Wish List for the Arts: digital cameras, drum sets, bongo drums, guitars, art supplies, easels, canvases, paints, supporters, sponsors and folks that can help cheer from the audience!

Recovery/Relapse Prevention

WorkAbility Program

Both day and residential students 14 years of age or older are eligible to participate in vocational education and job placement through our WorkAbility grant. The program is monitored by a full-time coordinator and two full-time staff assigned to develop partnerships with community-based businesses and facilitate the transition and placement process.

All students are initially required to work on grounds while developing basic job skills (keeping a schedule, completing a time sheet, banking and money management, job searching, and resume completion) and working to meet their individual treatment requirements and maintain appropriate behavior. On- grounds jobs include maintenance, food service, housekeeping, administrative assistance, vehicle cleanliness, and tutoring / mentoring of other students. When deemed appropriate by the Treatment Team, a student may transition to an off-grounds job site, with wages paid as a pass-through to the employer by our grant for a specified number of hours. When these hours have been exhausted, the student is eligible for hire directly by the employer.

Why Try Program

Why Try was created "to provide simple, hands on solutions for helping youth overcome life's challenges". It uses a "multi-sensory approach based on a set of visual analogies (pictures), to teach youth in a way that accommodates their learning styles, and gives them insight into how to deal with the daily challenges they face". The "visual analogies are then combined with positive music and hands-on experiential activities" to make the whole learning experience quite unique and highly successful. The program uses activities in music, drama, poetry and arts and crafts. It teaches the skills needed for participants to create better opportunities for themselves as well as learning positive defense mechanisms and effective anger management strategies. The participants learn to see themselves as survivors rather that victims, as empowered rather than defeated, and most importantly as having hope. Residents are able to answer the question "Why Try?" with the response "for opportunity, freedom and self-respect." This curriculum has been a very positive addition to our program.

The program is quite extensive. You may learn more about "Why Try" by going to the web site www.whytry.org.

Oak Grove
 
Oak Grove