Green against gangs

Last September, Pacific Outdoor Living sponsored the Career Village as part of Children's Day, an annual event dedicated to giving children resources to fight the rise of gangs.

"In June I was approached by the Children's Day team and asked to sponsor an area of the event. I was so impressed with the cause and impact previous Children's Day events had on the community that I was happy to help out by sponsoring the Career Village," says Terry Morrill, owner of Pacific Outdoor Living.

The company brought along its mascot, held a design contest and explained to children what a landscaping career is like.

In the San Fernando Valley, 20,000 documented gang members make up more than 80 identified gangs. In 2008, the Los Angeles Police Department, along with the San Fernando Valley Coalition on Gangs and the Faith Coalition, created Children's Day to help prevent these numbers from growing worse.

"The Children's Day event is designed to show children and teens that there are other options available to them besides gang participation," Morrill says. "It accomplishes this by showing them alternative life choices and career options that are available."
 

LEFT: Pacific Outdoor Living ran a landscape design game, where children were given blank backyard designs and brief instruction on how landscape design works. RIGHT: The company set up a pond display and educated children on a how to have a career in the landscaping business.

LEFT: The Pacific Outdoor Living mascot takes photos with children and families. RIGHT: Landscapers also volunteered their time to help kids in attendance understand landscape design and how it plays a role in a landscaping job.

Good Works is an occasional feature that highlights charitable projects our readers are working on. If you’d like to see your company’s recent good work profiled, send an email to Associate Editor Brian Horn at bhorn@gie.net.