South Bay Village Incorporated is looking for volunteers!

“We need volunteers to provide transportation and other services to seniors in the Torrance area. If you are able, now is a good time to start, or to continue, giving back. Let’s all help our seniors continue to remain in charge of their own lives.

Make new friends! If you are 55 years young or better, and you would like to learn more about how Village membership can help you now, or in the future, please contact us. Or if you have loved ones living in the South Bay area who might benefit from Village services, give us a call or email. We will be happy to explain everything: Go to Contact page”

“Program for Torture Victims’s marvelous massage therapist Alberto Vasquez’s farewell party last Wednesday Alberto is a professional masseuse trained in trauma-informed care who has been an integral part of PTV for the past 4 years, volunteering his time to provide much-needed massages to aid survivors in their healing journey. Along with his beaming smile and warm presence, he utilized the healing power of touch to help survivors work through the pain and PTSD resulting from torture and persecution. Many of our survivors who were initially reluctant about receiving massages would leave the massage session blissfully relieved of their pain and ask to sign up for future massage appointments. Those who were afflicted with insomnia claimed a much better, restful night of sleep afterwards. He truly provided life-changing care for our survivors 

Executive Director Peter Straus created TEAM PRIME TIME (TPT) in response to the critical need for after-school programming for at–risk children from low–income areas of Los Angeles. With over eighteen years of experience teaching and coaching in LAUSD Schools and at his Prime Time Sports Camp, Straus was all too familiar with this crisis. Most programs that did exist ended at the elementary school level, creating the void at the middle school level TEAM PRIME TIME set out to fill.

TPT first opened its doors on February 6, 2001 to 21 students at Webster Middle School (Webster MS) a Title 1 school where over 75 percent of students qualified for some form of government aid. The program continues to enjoy great success as demonstrated by the program’s sustained growth, enhanced program content, strategic partnerships, and ultimately, the ongoing success of the students in the program. There are currently over 250 students enrolled at Webster MS alone, a twelve-fold enrollment increase in less than 8 years!

In the Fall of 2004 Team Prime Time extended its programming to an additional at-risk population – children with developmental disabilities – by creating its full-inclusion sports program, the Prime Time Games ® (the GAMES.) As the centerpiece of TPT’s leadership component, the GAMES gives TPT students the opportunity to peer–mentor and coach, creating a win–win situation for everyone involved. Over 300 “athletes” have participated in the GAMES since its inception.

TPT looks forward to celebrating the 32nd Season of the Prime Time Games in the Spring 2017.

The 2006-07 academic year provided even more excitement as TPT, in partnership with the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD), opened two new sites, Palms Middle School and Westside Leadership Magnet. In so doing, TPT doubled its outreach, providing comprehensive after-school programming for over 600 at–risk youth.

TPT opened it’s 4th location, Emerson Middle School, in the Fall of 2008. By the end of the 2008-09 academic year, TPT was serving over 600 students per day, and over 1,500 students per year, a 75-fold increase in just 8 years.

2012 proved to be another historic year for TPT. The much-anticipated Prime Time Games High School Division Pilot Program (“Varsity Games”) got off to a great start with Venice High School and University High School participating in the first full inclusion high school sports league of its kind. University HS won the best of three basketball season series, 2 -1. TPT looks forward to welcoming at least 2 new schools to the Prime Time League in Spring, 2013.

The 2012-13 school year also saw TPT open its 5th after school program location, Marina Middle School.  In 2018, we now have 8 After School Programs with the addition of Studio School, City School and CLIC.  This truly solidified TPT’s place as the leader in providing quality after school care for our community’s most at risk children – middle school students – during the most dangerous hours of the day – from 3pm – 6pm.

That’s what we mean when we say, “Helping Our Kids When It Matters Most.”

“Last month we hosted a Healing Touch workshop where we learned the basics of using energy healing on ourselves and others. Thanks to Bear and Laurie from Healing Touch of California for leading!”

“Another great day of literacy, art, making new friends, and making a difference at Kittridge Elementary. Thank you @woodcrestdolphins for organizing the book drive and for your volunteers! And hearty thanks to the Leo Buscaglia Grant whose generous support makes days like today possible. @leobuscagliafoundation #literacymatters #welovebooks #artinschools #volunteers #librariesmatter #schoollibraries”

Team Prime Time received a grant to provide resources and purchase equipment and materials for TPT’s programs including Prime Time Games, Prime Time Trials, Westside BAY Club “Adopt a Beach” program with Heal the Bay and Marshall Mentors program in conjunction with the USC Marshall School of Business. The mission of Team Prime Time is to provide intervention programs for at-risk youth from low-income areas of Los Angeles that combine academics, athletics, leadership training and the arts in order to prepare them for the future and allow them to reach their full potential.

Click here to learn more about Team Prime Time.

The Healing WELL offers calm in the storms of poverty and prejudice, mental illness, substance abuse and addiction.  Inspired by ideals of compassion and justice, we love and guide one another so we can step further into brighter futures, healing ourselves and our greater community.”  They promote healing and wellness by offering free daily sessions like meditation, yoga and 12-step support groups to an average of 160 low-income people each month. 

“While doing massage at Lava Mae’s Pop Up Care Village in Oakland yesterday a gentlemen left saying. “Wow…. you just changed my day. You really lifted my spirits and changed my whole day.” Thank you again for allowing for us to be a caring presence amongst those in our community that are unhoused. We are grateful for you!”

Click here to learn more about Care Through Touch Institute.

“Do you have some extra cheer to spread this holiday season? Come join Big Sunday at our annual Holiday Sing-a-Long!

Sunday, December 15: 3 PM – 5 PM

Every year we invite all kinds of people to join us to carol (with a live band!) and to enjoy the holidays together. We’ll deck the halls and light a menorah too! Of course, there will be loads of arts & crafts and delicious holiday treats. We’ll also be collecting toys for kids and winter coats for kids and adults!

Sign up here.”