Work Matters
Part C. Beyond XL Services
Beyond our constant and professional attention to the needs of our clients and the business of our business, we are also committed volunteers in our greater community, helping to develop productive people and opportunities. The age of entitlement and self-centeredness must end and can through experiential teaching of responsibility and the benefits of supporting one another.
LAKitchen.org is “revealing the power of food” because “Neither food nor people should ever go to waste.” L.A. Kitchen is reclaiming millions of pounds of fresh, nutritious produce that would otherwise go to the dump. Once a month Debbie goes to L.A. Kitchen’s temporary location at St. Vincent Meals on Wheel’s in midtown to chop beautiful fresh veggies that will be made into healthy, appealing meals for housebound individuals. The big deal is that L.A. Kitchen’s culinary job training program teaches youth aging out of foster care, adults coming out of prison and others from untenable backgrounds to build successful lives through work they love and providing for others. There is no waste and a lot is gained. Find out more at: LAKitchen.org.
JuniorAchievement.org offers 100s of programs for preparing students of all ages for the real world across the broad spectrum of a responsible life: Personal finance; business’ role in the community; how family members and jobs create interconnected well-being; how to develop entrepreneurial thinking in jobs and on your own, problem-solving skills, and all things that lead to career and personal success. Debbie states that volunteering in JA programs feels like we’re helping create a wise next generation.
Through active membership in The Greater Conejo Valley Chamber of Commerce we have become strong proponents of Ventura County’s Career Pathways program. The world never stops changing. Along with basic and newer life skills sets, understanding and fostering the connection between education and the real work world for the next generation is vital. We urge you to set aside a moment to read the edsource.org article attached above. Fear mongering would have us all screaming “the sky is falling, the sky is falling.” The truth is, no it’s not! and with conscious and diligent preparation the brightest days are ahead.
These are some of the Beyond XL Services aspects of our lives. We’re not musicians, talented athletes or artists, but we contribute who we are to enhancing others’ lives in our own ways. And when we’re really lucky we each dabble in our own interests. Gidon’s rare moments of relaxation are found in wood working, Debbie’s in running and playing like a kid in the nearby mountains. Our personal guru is Radar, our irresistible 12 year old Bloodhound.
Please share your story with us and our readers at: info@xl.wexco.net