A wonderful loving young lady named Nataly Arais mentioned that fact, she is so grateful to all the volunteers that make the Crown Jewel Club possible. She said that she wanted, as well as other graduates of the CJC, to give back. Along with Elizabeth Rodrigues, Nataly  started a CJC youth program called the “Goreous Gems”. On Mother’s Day 2009, Nataly, Elizabeth and Jakey took long stem roses to a group of elderly mothers who loved their sweetness so freely given  from these young beautiful  called the “Gorgeous Gems”.

On October 26 & 26 the Crown Jewel Club had the oppurtunity to have a booth at the Women’s Conference. What an incredible opportunity. It was so empowering knowing that so many women, gathered at the Women’s Conference. It is the nation’s premier forum for women and is hosted by California First Lady Maria Shriver and Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. The Conference, also known as The California Governor and First Lady’s Conference on Women, has grown from a California initiative for working professionals into an international network of women from all walks of life, backgrounds and perspectives, and a life-changing experience for the thousands of women who have attended. The mission of The Women’s Conference is to inspire, empower and educate women to be Architects of Change in their own lives and in the lives of others. This year the Conference expanded to two full days of speakers, sessions and events.

We had a total of 48 volunteers to make the Crown Jewel Club booth possible. We look forward to following up with the outstand women we had the oppurtunity to meet!

On November 12, 2009 our 320th girl graduated from the Crown Jewel Club. The group of young ladies were simply a delight. A beautiful young lady named Tyrisha baked a cake for Mrs. Phillips, the delighted teacher. A group from Pearls bought each of the 8 voluteers candles. Love was abundant. A very bright “Gem” named Ester, was elected president. Her 1st job is to hand out rubber band ball donated my Julie Carlson from OfficeMax. I know she will do a great job. She was so happy to be president of the ‘10 Pearls and was shining as much as her tiarra.

We were also delighted with 6 sponsore. The teacher and the voluteers love when we have guest. It is so much fun and rewarding to feel the joy the sponsors feel when atttending an Afternoon Tea.

I received a comment from one of the guest saying that the girls had better manner then she felt she had.

With every class that goes through the Crown Jewel Club classes our heart and soul is filled with confidents that these young ladies heart and mind has been moved and they will aspire to great things. WE BELIEVE THIS!!

On March 31^st the Crown Jewel Club held yet another fantastic Afternoon Tea for our 2009 Rubies, with a packed house of sponsors and supporters.  The Tea kicked off with the awarding of a Certificate of Commendation from Councilwoman Jan Perry and the other Councilmen and women of Los Angeles.

It was a great honor to be recognized with this award as it helps further distinguish our organization as one with a real commitment to helping the community reach their highest potential.  Having the support of our community along with their endless charity, has truly been such a blessing for the Crown Jewel Club; no words could suffice our gratitude.

There are so many wonderful people among our Board Members, volunteers, and donors that have contributed to the growth of this organization; I accept the award on behalf of all of us.  The Crown Jewel Club makes it their goal to provide a positive environment that fosters improved self-esteem and self-respect, as well as the value of education, family and friendships.  It gives us great pride to know that our goal, and the dedication towards achieving that goal, is being acknowledged and rewarded by the leaders of this community.

Mining for Gems

One of the class activities the girls love most is called Mining for Gems.  Much like creating dream collages, mining for gemshelps the girls visualize their ambitions in life through a tangible display of pictures, words, and other images that are clipped from magazines and catalogues. Thanks to the help of the Manhattan Beach Soroptimist not only does the Crown Jewel Club have access to tons of donated magazines, but the Soroptomist also cut out these clippings for the girls.  The girls put these collages in there own notebooks as a special place to keep all the things that they really love.  It is believed that by putting out these images to the universe, it knows exactly what we want and can do a better job of delivering.

However, we cannot leave everything up to the universe and positive thinking, achieving your dreams also takes hard work; something we encourage and reinforce to the girls all the time.  We tell them, if you have something you really want in life you need to work hard. Creativity such as that involved with mining for gems is a wonderful way of exploring your inner-self and coming face-to-face with who you really are.  I believe that these collages open these girls’ eyes to a world of new inspirations. My hope is that the girls will look at their notebooks to make them feel happy, hopefully, and proud of the person they are.

When I was a younger I started creating dream collages full of everything from my favorite flowers to wedding dresses and holiday decorations to tea sets.  Throughout the years I’ve made pages upon pages of dream collages that fill up my very own album that I still look at every chance I get. With hope and dedication, I can now say that I have made so many of those items, those dreams, come to life, including the Crown Jewel Club!

As each day passes it seems like the piles of paperwork keeping growing, my AOL won’t stop saying “you’ve got mail”, and boxes mysteriously appear on my desk.  While all of these things are signs of success for the Crown Jewel Club, it gets a little overwhelming at times.  Thanks to Buying Time, there is some light at the end of the tunnel.  Aside from being a godsend, Buying Time is a personal assistant business that services the South Bay.  With kind charity they have donated 3 hours a week of assistance for the Crown Jewel Club.  I cannot tell you how much that little bit of time has helped me out.  Bibi Goldstein, a co-owner of Buying Time, has been such a joy to work with and I am so thankful for her continual charity!  I can’t say enough good things!

The Beverly Wilshire of Beverly Hills is renowned for it’s elegance and outstanding customer service; two qualities that were not lost on the Crown Jewel Club.  On December 9th, 2008, the wonderfully gracious staff at this Four Seasons Hotel welcomed our girls into their establishment for a grand tour full of beautiful sites and delicious treats!  This was a wonderful opportunity for the girls to use their learned etiquette and social skills outside of their usual comfort zones.  I have no doubt we have planted a seed of what hard work and determination can bring them. It’s generosity such as this that really makes a difference and helps further support the efforts of the Crown Jewel Club.  After a day of confident handshakes, proper table manners, and enthusiastic thank you’s, it was apparent that our program has truly made an impact on the lives of these young women. I cannot express what a pleasure it was to meet and collaborate with the employees of the Beverly Wilshire.  I’d like to give special thanks to Katherine Petty, Jennifer Cooke for making this all possible. This day will be a day they will never forget.

In further appreciation, the girls were transported to and from the hotel by CJL, who offered us an amazing discount.  I would highly recommend their services to my friends and those looking for transpiration. 

Just in case I haven’t made it abundantly clear already, being recognized by the Women in Business Committee of the Manhattan Beach Chamber of Commerce earlier this year has been a huge privilege and boost for the Crown Jewel Club. Through MBWIB and the 2008 conference, at which we received the Heart & Soul Award, the contacts that have been made are off the charts.  The more women that learn about our unique program, the more that want to become involved. As a result, our Executive and Advisory Boards have benefited tremendously, including the additions and contributions  of many new crucial members.  

More specifically, it is though Women in Business that I became acquainted with Kathleen Terry, who immediately volunteered her assistance.  Now, as Vice President of the CJC Board of Directors, she’s my right-hand woman. In her day-job, she helps start-up businesses with organization and teamwork. With CJC, she has helped us build a stellar Board of Directors, and has taught me so much about assembling and leading such a board. It is an auspicious beginning for Crown Jewel Club’s fourth year!

I’m always amazed at how one thing leads to another and then to another, until everything is interconnected in the most wonderful way. Our new board member Debra Lauzon, an attorney with Lauzon & Euler, is a case in point. Back in 1998, she founded the Women in Business () Committee of the Manhattan Beach Chamber of Commerce (MBWIB). Earlier this year, I was touched and humbled when friend Kathy Reiker nominated me – and MBWIB named me – as the Heart and Soul Honoree at the annual Women in Business conference (incidentally, the next conference is scheduled for April 19, 2009 – you can find out more and register here. It was one of the best things that’s ever happened to the Crown Jewel Club – a huge door opened wide.

To make a good thing better, not only did Debra come to our year-end party for Crown Jewel club graduates, but she brought her daughter, Marie, who happens to play basketball at Mira Costa High School. And not only did Marie come, but she brought many of her teammates, who volunteered to help out at the party. Today, Debra oversees our sponsor-a-girl program, among other Board duties. I am so grateful that she and other talented women have lent their talents and time so generously to the Crown Jewel Club.

LINKS for above story, FOUR total:

Debra Lauzon:

Women in Business:

MBWIB Conference

Mira Costa High School:

There are so many wonderful things I want to tell you, but one of the more exciting things is that we will be receiving a grant from the Good News Foundation on October 4.  This is the non-profit organization formed by four news anchors inLos Angeles to recognize and support good works in the community.  I’m really excited about being involved with these wonderful people and know the press coverage is going to be fabulous.  Stay tuned.