The Willow Glen Resident

Around The Glen

Boy Scouts need help expanding fund

The Santa Clara County Council of Boy Scouts of America announced the launch of a $4.9 million major gifts initiative drive for 1998 two weeks ago.

The initiative drive is to raise funds to expand the council's existing endowment fund. The council wants to increase the principal in the endowment fund to provide a secure funding source for the future and for capital improvements at its two camp facilities, Chesebrough Scout Reservation in the Santa Cruz Mountains and Camp Hi-Sierra in the Sierra Nevada Mountains.

To reach its goal of $4.9 million, the council has identified a selected group of individuals, corporations and foundations to ask for donations, said Doug McDonald, a Santa Clara Council scouting executive.

Every scouting unit in Santa Clara County--including six from the Willow Glen area--will benefit from the funds raised.

Some of the projects that will be funded include an outreach program for Hispanic Youth, a new dining and training facility at Chesebrough Scout Reservation and an improved septic and water system at Camp Hi-Sierra.

--Michelle Ku

Senate associates positions available

College graduates interested in pursuing a career in politics can apply for paid full-time positions in a California state senator's capital office or a policy committee through the California Senate Associates Program.

The California Senate Associates Program provides college graduates with full-time employment for 11 months while receiving graduate school credit from California State University at Sacramento.

Associates participate in weekly academic seminars with senators, senior staff members, journalists, lobbyists and state government officials while assisting the offices or policy committees they work with.

In addition to the monthly $1,707 stipend and health and medical benefits, associates receive 12 graduate units from Sacramento State's government department.

Applicants need not be recent college graduates, but they must graduate from a four-year college by June 1998.

About two-thirds of the applicants are June graduates from four-year colleges, said Nettie Sabelhaus, director of the California Senate Associates Program. "The other one-third have been out for awhile, are new career people or are just out of law school or graduate school."

The program receives approximately 400 applications each year, and usually at least one San Jose resident is selected for the program. Last year, Elisa Vitanza, a San Jose resident and Stanford graduate, participated in the program.

Eighteen associate positions are awarded in May. Associates are chosen after an initial screening of applications and a panel interview of semifinals. The program begins in October 1998.

Applications are due Feb. 18. 1998. Applications may be picked up from the offices of a California state senator of the Senate Rules Committee, State Capital, Room 400, Sacramento, 95814.

--Michelle Ku

Case Aide Programs needs volunteers

The Child Abuse Prevention Center is seeking volunteers for its Case Aide Programs which assist abused and neglected children and their families throughout Santa Clara and San Mateo counties.

Working with a social worker, Case Aides become mentors, provide supervised visits between a family and a child who has been removed from home and perform other tasks.

Volunteers must attend a training class held on Saturday, Jan. 10, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Belmont. There is a nonrefundable training fee of $35. Volunteers are also security cleared and DMV screened.

For more information about training and volunteer opportunities, contact the Child Abuse Prevention Center at 650/327-8120.

--Michelle Ku

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