Making a Differenc in Your Community : Center Offers Clothes, Toys for Foster Kids

In a small section of a Northridge warehouse, 2-year-old Robin rummages through a toy-filled play area while his foster mother picks up clothes for Robin and his 1-year-old foster brother.

Rita Prechtl makes two trips a year to the warehouse, which houses the Foster Children’s Resource Center, to gather clothes and toys for her foster family, which also includes a 7-year-old boy.

“We get underwear and sleepers and jackets and toys,” said Prechtl, who’s been coming to the center since it opened in 1990. “It’s really nice for the children.”

The center, a project of the Assistance League of Southern California, gives new and used clothes to foster children and children who have been returned to their parents after leaving state custody, said volunteer Elizabeth Yingling.

Open three days a week and run completely by volunteers, the center stocks underwear, socks, jeans, sweat suits, jackets, toys, even decorations for babies’ rooms. Most of the new items are donated by manufacturers.

Many foster parents rely on the center for much of their children’s clothes, volunteers say.

“We have families who come in and get everything here,” said Sue Cornwell, who has volunteered at the center since it opened. About 20 families visit the facility each week.

“Some of them make you just want to cry. They’re so happy because they haven’t had very much. They’re so happy with anything you give them,” Cornwell said. “You get a real dose of reality.”

For more information about volunteering or donating at the Foster Children’s Resource Center, call (818) 701-0506.

Other volunteering opportunities:

The Los Angeles Department of Consumer Affairs needs volunteers to translate consumer complaints from Spanish into English and assist its investigative staff by contacting and interviewing Spanish-speaking consumers. The department investigates and mediates consumer complaints and provides education on consumer rights to Los Angeles County residents. Volunteers are asked to commit at least three hours a week. Students accepted for the work may be eligible for class credit. Contact Cathy Mikuni, volunteer coordinator, at (213) 974-9740.

San Fernando Valley Interfaith Council needs volunteers to help at the Earthquake Response Project warehouse, to help people with the disaster aid application process and to help families move from their earthquake-damaged homes. The group also needs donations of dishes, kitchen wares, food and furniture. For more information, call (818) 718-6460.

The Volunteer Center of San Fernando Valley, a service of the Assistance League of Southern California, is looking for volunteers to work as clerical volunteers at a North Hollywood agency that helps in landlord-tenant disputes, provides job counseling and helps admit the homeless into shelters. A Coldwater Canyon Park environmental group needs office volunteers at its 45-acre facility. For more information, call the volunteer center at (818) 908-5067.

The Silver Chords, a professionally directed senior chorus, is auditioning for a new pianist and new members with singing experience. The chorus specializes in Broadway show tunes and performs for senior, church and civic groups throughout the San Fernando Valley. The group meets Tuesdays at 1 p.m. at the Bernardi Senior Recreation Center in Van Nuys. For more information, call Hugh Geyer at (818) 783-4130.

Getting Involved is a weekly listing of volunteering opportunities. Please address prospective listings to Getting Involved, Los Angeles Times, 20000 Prairie St., Chatsworth 91311. Or fax them to (818) 772-3338.