Local Girl Scout Selects AbilityFirst for Gold Award Project

The AbilityFirst Lawrence L. Frank Center, which provides programs for children and adults with disabilities announced that Emma Antonides selected the center’s after school program for her “Girl Scout Gold Award” project. The award represents the highest honor a member of the Girl Scouts of Greater Los Angeles can achieve. Earning the Gold Award requires the planning and implementation of a challenging, large-scale project that is innovative, engages others, and has a lasting impact on its targeted community.

During the month of July, Emma will be leading and teaching unique and creative art lessons to participants in the after school enrichment program at the AbilityFirst Lawrence L. Frank Center on Kinneloa Avenue in Pasadena. The center serves children and youth with developmental disabilities including autism, cerebral palsy and intellectual disabilities, as well as a range of physical challenges. Emma will be teaching them the three basic categories of color theory and color harmony. She will be using multiple forms including finger painting, scratch paper art, candy leis, and an innovative class called “Expressing Emotion through Painting” which will include music.

Emma will be hosting a bake sale and jewelry sale fundraiser on Saturday, July 18, 2015 to help the Center continue the art classes in her absence. On August 8, 2015, there will be an Open House showcasing the program participant’s art work and how their love for art and talent progressed.

“The students in our program are eagerly looking forward to discovering their inner artists and musicians this summer. The Lawrence L. Frank Center staff is grateful to Emma for helping our participants increase their creative thinking and self-confidence through arts and music appreciation,” said AbilityFirst Program Supervisor, Jenny Valadez.

For over 89 years, AbilityFirst has provided programs and services to help children and adults with disabilities reach their full potential. Through 25 locations across Southern California, AbilityFirst offers a broad range of employment, recreational and socialization programs and operates 12 accessible residential housing complexes, as well as an accessible Camp. For more information, visit our websites at www.abilityfirst.orgor www.camppaivika.org.

About Girl Scouts of Greater Los Angeles

Girl Scouts of Greater Los Angeles serves more than 40,000 girls in partnership with more than 20,000 volunteers throughout the diverse communities of Los Angeles County and parts of Kern, San Bernardino, and Ventura counties. The council engages girls through programs in Leadership, Business and Financial Literacy, Outdoor Adventure, STE[A]M (science, technology, engineering, art, math), and Healthy Living. To join, volunteer, reconnect, or support, visit www.girlscoutsla.org or call (213) 213-0123.