LA EVENTS: Pepperdine University’s COASTAL Walk/Run Aims to Support Children’s Mental Health

LOS ANGELES, January 28, 2012 – The Pepperdine University Graduate School of Education and Psychology (GSEP) through the generous support of our presenting sponsor California Bank and Trust will be holding its second annual Children’s Outreach: Advancing Social Transformation and Learning (COASTAL) 5k/10k Walk/Run at Dockweiler Beach to raise funds for Children’s Mental Health.

Over 700 runners participated in last year’s event enabling Pepperdine to offer 200 hours of one-on-one counseling for children at the Union Rescue Mission’s residential facility for homeless mothers and children in Hope Gardens.  Funds also helped create a lunchtime, after-school, and summer science and technology lab at Holmes Avenue Elementary School.

“We were stunned at the amount of support we received for this endeavor and the amount of good we were able to do because of it,” said Dr. Margaret Weber, dean of GSEP. “This year, we are expecting an even larger turn out and with that, the ability to make a greater impact on our community.”

Several food trucks including Del’s Lemonade, Global Soul, Me So Hungry and Flying Pig will be on site until noon.  With activities set up for youth such as face painting by ExpressionS, Mural painting by the Young Artist Studio, a Kid’s Kraft Korner and the Kiddie K, participants are encouraged to bring children to this family friendly event.

The street of Vista Del Mar will be closed promptly at 7:30am, so participants need to arrive at 7:00am to park in the Dockweiler lot. The race begins at 8:00am.  Participants can walk or run along the beautiful shoreline street of Vista Del Mar, to finish in the beach parking lot. The course is considered fast for a great personal record.

1 in 5 children has a diagnosable mental illness. Nearly two-thirds of these kids receive little or no help, leading to a decline in school performance, depression, and persistent disobedience or aggression.  Proceeds from the COASTAL Walk/Run will go towards combatting this reality.

To register for COASTAL, please visit http://gsep.pepperdine.edu/coastal/.  Race packet pick-up and late registration will take place at Road Runner Sports, 25359 Crenshaw Blvd., Torrance, CA 90505 on Saturday January 21, from 11:00am to 6:00 pm, and Friday January 27th at California Bank & Trust, Santa Monica Branch, 100 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica, CA 90401 from noon to 6:00pm. Participants can also register on-site on race morning at Dockweiler State Beach, Playa del Rey, beginning at 6:30 am.

Over 1,000 participants are expected for this year’s run.

Time: 8:00am

Address: Dockweiler State Beach in Los Angeles, at the west end of Imperial Highway at Vista del Mar

Fees (5K/10K): $30 for general public, $25 for Pepperdine students, and $15 for Kiddie-K run.

Parking: Please carpool as beach parking rates will be in place.

 

 

LA EVENTS: Sibongile Mkhabela of Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital to Speak at Pepperdine University

LOS ANGELES, November 3, 2011 – The CEO of the Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital (NMCH), Mrs. Sibongile Mkhabela, will present the Pepperdine University Graduate School of Education and Psychology (GSEP) Diversity Council Lecture “Giving Voice and Dignity to the African Child.” She will speak about the development of Nelson Mandela’s legacy and how it was shaped by his remarkable life. Mkhabela will also address the state of child healthcare, the future of medicine in Africa, and her long-time friendship with His Excellency Nelson Mandela.

Pepperdine University will be the first stop on Mkhabela’s tour of the West Coast – her very first visit to the western United States.  She will be accompanied by Ms. Nana Magomola, a Trustee of the NMCH and Chair of the Human Resources Committee.

Mkhabela is scheduled to open NMCH in 2012.  In a continent that has only four hospitals dedicated to children, this serves as a significant milestone.  NMCH will be at the forefront of protecting the human right of every child to receive the best medical care available regardless of social or economic status.

Mkhabela gained worldwide visibility in 2001 with the release of her book Open Earth and Black Roses, which depicted her personal story of the Soweto Uprising in June 1976.  Mkhabela has a wealth of experience in development issues nationally and internationally, from her work in senior positions at the United Nations Development Program, the United Nations Education Program in South Africa and the South African Counsel of Churches. Mkhabela served in the office of the then Deputy President Mbeki as programs director responsible for overall programming, with specific responsibility for NGO/Government partnerships and children’s programs.

The presentation will take place on Thursday, November 3, 2011 from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Pepperdine University West Los Angeles Campus.

This is a free event open to the public, but reservations are required.  To RSVP, visithttp://gsep.pepperdine.edu/diversity-speaker-series

This event is hosted in part by Operation of Hope.

The Diversity Council Speaker Series was developed by the council to provide a forum for representatives of varied backgrounds and views to speak on multicultural issues impacting the community and which affect the fields of education and mental health.