Organizations and sites supported by school-organized activities, trips and walk teams:
AIDS Walk of L.A.
This 10K walk is held on a Sunday in October and raises money to support AIDS Project L.A. in its mission to provide health care for AIDS patients and those who are HIV positive. Money raised also goes to research devoted to finding a cure for this disease. To receive full credit, students must register, raise a minimum of $50, and participate in the 10K walk.
Ballona Wetlands Restoration
Friends of Ballona Wetlands is an organization dedicated to the restoration of over 300 acres in the Playa del Rey area to their natural wetlands state. Once the restoration is completed, the Ballona Wetlands will be one of the richest, most productive biological resources in our area for future biologists. There is one Saturday trip each semester.
Baskets for Children with Cancer
Seventh graders work on campus after school to prepare spring baskets for children undergoing treatment for cancer. Students make and/or design items to entertain the patients. These baskets are then given to the Children’s Cancer Research Fund to distribute to pediatric oncology wards.
Beethoven Tutoring Program
(3711 Beethoven Street, Los Angeles, CA 90066)
Throughout the year, ninth grade students go to Beethoven Elementary School where they tutor third grade students, many of whom are limited in English and reading skills. Ninth graders are asked to sign up for a full session to give continuity to the tutoring program. There are five sessions of four visits each session during the academic year. Students leave school at the end of eighth period.
Binky Patrol
In March of each year, six after school sessions are scheduled during which students work on campus preparing blankets (a.k.a. Binky) that are given to children entering foster care, and who have little or nothing of their own.
Fulfillment Fund
The Fulfillment Fund, a private non-profit organization incorporated in 1977, works with at-risk students from the Los Angeles Unified School District. The fund’s mission is to identify promising disadvantaged or disabled students and assist them to complete high school, broaden their horizons, and pursue an advanced education so that they can achieve their maximum potential and become contributing members of society. In addition to this, the fund holds an annual holiday party specifically designed for severely disabled children, ages 3 to 9. Since 1983, seventh graders have been decorating and filling special treat bags for the approximately 250 children who attend. On the day of the party, Harvard-Westlake middle school singers provide musical entertainment for the children.
Heal The Bay
Heal The Bay is an organization dedicated to cleaning up the polluted water and beaches in the Santa Monica Bay. Through public outreach efforts, they also disseminate information about various pollution problems. Students clean the Santa Monica beach several weekend mornings during the academic year.
Juvenile Diabetes Research Fund Walk
This 5K walk is held on a Sunday in the fall of the year to raise money to find a cure for juvenile diabetes. It is a family-oriented event. To receive full credit, students must raise a minimum of $50 for the cause and participate in the event.
Mar Vista Head Start
(11815 Allin Street, Culver City, CA 90230)
Head Start is a national program which provides services for low-income, preschool children ages 3 to 5 and social services for their families. Eighth grade students have been working with Mar Vista Head Start since 1983. Eighth graders and preschoolers work together on creative, hands-on projects. Our students are urged to help the preschoolers with their English skills whenever possible. These visits occur during the H-W school day. Some are in the morning and some are in the afternoon.
Pet Orphans of Southern California
(POSC Kennel – 7720 Gloria Ave., Van Nuys, CA 91406)
POSC is a private non-profit organization dedicated to saving the lives of homeless cats and dogs and placing them in qualified homes as well as educating the public about the importance of being a responsible pet owner. Seventh graders have been helping POSC since 1983. If time permits, students also visit the Santa Monica Animal Shelter (1640 Ninth Street, Santa Monica, CA 90401) a public animal shelter. These trips are scheduled on Saturdays during the school year.
REVLON Run/Walk for Women
This 5K walk is held on the Saturday before Mother’s Day. It raises money to find cures for breast and ovarian cancer. Students must register themselves for a fee of $25, raise at least $25 toward the cause, and participate in the actual 5k run/walk to receive full credit.
Sherman Oaks Health and Rehabilitation Center
(14401 Huston Street, Sherman Oaks, CA 91423)
On afternoons during the school year, ninth graders visit a convalescent home for the elderly. The students interact with the “grandparents” by playing cards and bingo, doing crafts and/or by just spending time talking and listening to one another. There are several trips during the academic year. Students leave school at the end of eighth period.
The Nature of WILDWORKS
The Nature of WILDWORKS is a non-profit wildlife care center in Topanga. It is dedicated to the lifetime quality care of non-releasable wild animals. Among the diverse species the center houses are mountain lion, bobcat, red fox, caracal, raccoon, kinkajou, macaw and barn owl. Seventh graders have been working at this site since 2001. There is one Saturday trip each semester.