Making A Difference in Your Community : ‘Mini Peace Corps’ Offers Trip for Youths

Armed with enthusiasm and a video on volcanoes, beaches and howler monkeys, Chris Kealey and Chris Bertrand walked into a religion class at Chaminade High School in West Hills last week to introduce some sophomores to Peace Works International.

Kealey, the director, and Bertrand, the business manager, created the program after serving two years together in Costa Rica as part of the Peace Corps. They wanted to create a “mini Peace Corps” experience, selling the idea as the coolest high school vacation, but with the hope that the underlying message of service to the world community would get through.

“Maybe one day you will make a real difference in the lives of others,” said Kealey, who lives in Pasadena. Bertrand lives in Acton.

This summer Kealey, Bertrand and their wives will lead three groups of 21 high students to Costa Rica. Although the group is not connected to the Peace Corps, Kealey and Bertrand hope the Peace Works International experience may lead the students into international service work.

“I want to go somewhere real,” said Janelle Carreon, a 16-year-old student from Northridge, who was excited by the prospects of the trip. “This would be so far away from life on busy streets.”

“It’s a cool trip,” said classmate Christine Gonzales, 15, of Woodland Hills, who added that she might be interested in the Peace Corps someday.

“You’ll get to learn,” said Angela Karaguezian, 15, of Granada Hills.

During the trip, students will learn about rain forests, active volcanoes, animal and plant life, beaches and oceans. As part of the 10-day program, students also will be able to take on service projects for the poor in Costa Rica similar to those performed by Peace Corps volunteers.

But the service aspect was not the big selling point for students.

“I’d have to know more about it,” Angela said about Peace Corps work.

Just going to Costa Rica would be worth it for a student, concluded teacher Debbie Link after hearing Bertrand’s and Kealey’s presentation.

“It’s good because it gets them in touch with another part of the world,” Link said.

The trip will provide students with the opportunity to see the problems of another culture, and also help them see that they can make a difference, “and see it’s not hopeless,” said Link, who teaches religion and social justice.

The 10-day trip costs $1,995, including air fare, hotels and meals, Kealey said. For more information call Kealey at (818) 791-7074.

Other volunteer opportunities:

The Wellness Community, a nonprofit group that helps adults with cancer and their families, needs volunteers for special events and office work. For more information call (805) 379-4777.

The Valley Storefront of Jewish Family Service of Los Angeles needs volunteers to visit the homes of isolated seniors. For more information, or if you are a senior who would like a volunteer visitor, call (818) 984-1380.

Volunteers are needed at the Out of the Closet Thrift Stores, a fund-raising operation for AIDS Healthcare Foundation. Volunteers help sort and tag donations, size garments, organize books, tapes and records, clean up and accept donations. For more information call (818) 769-0503 or (213) 468-1365.

Volunteers are needed to join the “Stream Cleanup Team” to clear the Las Virgenes and Dry Canyon Creeks on April 22 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Meet at the parking lot of Calabasas City Hall, 26135 Mureau Road, with gloves and shovels. The garbage will be turned into sculpture by youth teams at the Calabasas Earth Day event on April 23. For more information, call Debbie Grissom at (818) 993-0104.

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.