Spindrift October 21, 2021

LIVE MEETING

President Mike Gertner opened the meeting and introduced Ken Dufuor to lead us in prayer. Ken read Exchange Club’s Covenant of Service that states, in pertinent part, “I covenant...: To consecrate my best energies to the uplifting of Social, Religious, Political and Business ideals; To discharge the debt I owe to those...who have served...that... American citizenship might be mine; To honor and respect law...and institutions of my Country; To implant the...spirit of Service and Comradeship in my social and business relationships; To serve in Unity with those seeking better conditions, better understandings, and greater opportunities for all.” Ed Romeo led the Pledge.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Ken polled the room and determined many of us have had children or grand-children in Newport Beach’s Junior Lifeguard Program (JGs). JGs have been functioning out of a trailer without running water or restrooms for the kids. Our Executive Board is considering a $5,000 gift to JGs to fund construction of the new JG headquarters, which would entitle “Exchange Club” to be displayed on JG’s Honor Wall of Donors.

Ed announced tickets are available for an Oasis meeting scheduled for November 5th at 10:00 a.m.
Diane Daruty circulated a petition to propose a Newport Beach ballot measure empowering Newport Beach voters to elect their mayor. Will O’Neill will speak on this topic at our November 4th meeting.

PROGRAM

Cynthia Strasmann introduced Kristina Mermelstein, level four Paraeducator and registered Behaviorist in Special Education at Bridges Community Day High School (Bridges).

Kristina Mermelstein

Kristina is a mother of an autistic son for whom, and others like him, she strives to take the “dis” out of “disability” to enable them to become employable, functioning citizens.
Kristina has actively served on many philanthropic boards including The Special Children's League, Golden Heart Ranch, National Charity League, The Friendship Foundation, and the PTA Executive Council. Currently, she is involved with The Friendship Circle and Surfer's Healing.

Kristina’s presentation concerned the Capistrano Restorative Gardens & Learning Center (CRGLC), beginning with its history. In 1977, a Regional Occupational Program (ROP), a joint venture of Capistrano and Laguna Beach school districts, identified a dirt area on Bridges’ campus for ROP students to plant, care for, and sell the fruits of their labor.

Alfonso Guttierez, a young graduate, was the first to plant a tree which remains there today. The garden provided students career training, and the sales proceeds funded garden equipment.

CRGLC Conceptual Plan

In 2017, Capistrano Unified’s Continued Learning Adult Special Services, Adult Transition, and Bridges programs established CRGLC. Its mission is to provide a place of education, health, community, and restoration to special needs students, while giving back by offering produce yields to local food banks. Steve Rose, a San Juan Capistrano (SJC) Rotarian, together with Marianne Taylor of Goin’ Native, developed a conceptual plan for CRGLC. Because Capistrano Unified does not provide funding, CRGLC’s garden team has been fundraising to finance it. Donations have been received from SJC Rotary, Capistrano Bay Soroptimist, Elks Mission Viejo, and others. However, CRGLC isa work in progress and more funds are needed.

Kristina shared before and after photos of the project area, located across from Mission SJC. She also distributed a picture of the conceptual plan for the fully implemented project.

Kristina described the students CRGLC serves. They are teenaged, high school graduates with multiple disabilities (e.g., Downs Syndrome, Autism, etc.), who, by law, are entitled to education until age 22. Enrollment is 125 students in four classes. Each class has its own planting bed and de- cides what to plant and how to use the har- vest. Typically, they plant and donate pro- duce to the food bank at Mission SJC.

Kristina Mermelstein & Mike Gertner

Ken announced he was privileged to receive a $1,400 donation request from CRGLC. Kristina replied that the donation would
Kristina Mermelstein & Mike Gertner fund the materials to provide the foundation of the beds (lumber and planting mix). If Exchange Club continues to donate, Kristina will update us on CRGLC’s progress and how it is serving participating students.

UPCOMING EVENTS

DATE/SPEAKER/SUBJECT

Oct 28 -  Karen Yelsey, President Newport

Pres. Mike Gertner

Mesa Unified S School Board, “How NMUSD School Board is the Social and Emotional Needs of Students”

Nov 4 -  Will O’Neil, Newport Beach City Council, “Petition to Elect Newport Beach Mayor”

Nov 11 -  Paul Blank, Newport Beach Harbormaster, “Changes in the Newport Beach Harbor”

Luncheon meetings at the Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club have resumed, with indoor seating in one of the banquet rooms. Lunch will be served at 12:20 pm. You will be emailed an invitation two days before the meeting. Please notify Richard Swinney by this Wed 2 PM if you are planning on attending.