Community Outreach - Philanthropic Programs
I'm in Charge
 The I'M IN CHARGE interactive program empowers children to plan for personal safety. At the request of the school counselors, Assistance League volunteers present the program to students in grades Kindergarten through 5th at no charge. It is approximately 30 to 45 minutes in length, depending on the grade level and the number of students attending the presentation.
Information presented to the children encourages them to recognize and to be prepared for potentially dangerous situations. The major focus of the program is safety when "home alone." The children also learn about what to do if approached by a stranger, how to recognize unsafe situations in malls, movie theaters, parks and playgrounds. In addition, children also learn about gun safety and dangers they may face on the Internet.
The visual media used is a sixteen minute video/dvd entitled, "Facing Dangers, Red Light-Green Light." The students are also involved in role-play with the presenter. This helps make the program fun and relates the subject matter to their environment. A twenty-six page booklet that contains much of the same information as in the classroom presentation is sent home with each child so it can be shared with his/her family. It is hoped that the presentation and safety booklet will provide a basis to encourage further communication between parents and the child.
Since its inception in 1985, I'M IN CHARGE has been presented to thousands of San Antonio elementary school children and has received several awards. The program won the "San Antonio Cares" civic award in 1987 and the J.C. Penney Golden Rule Award in 1995 and 1998.
Knowing how to stay safe creates confidence and enhances self-esteem, which is a valuable gift to all children. It can have a lifetime impact on the children, their families and their community.
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Assistance League of San Antonio: Quick Facts |
- Largest active membership of Assistance League Chapters in the country
- Current membership - 491
- Located at 2611 West Avenue
- Touched the lives of over 65,000 members of the San Antonio community last year
- 100% of philanthropic work done by volunteers
- Last year’s volunteer hours - 66,000
- Major source of funds for philanthropic work - Thrift House at 2611 West Avenue
- Projects serviced through agencies, schools and organizations that verify needs of individuals
- Sponsors seven Philanthropic Programs:
- Adopt A Resident - gift of time and friendship to Chandler Nursing Home residents
- C.A.P.S. - donation of 950 caps last year to acutely ill children and teens in local hospitals
- College Scholarships - Twelve $2000 scholarships to qualifying juniors and seniors
- I'm In Charge - reaches over 6,000 elementary students with a program about personal safety
- Operation School Bell - provides school clothes for over 4,000 elementary children in need of clothing in order to attend school
- Togs for Tots - provides clothing for more than 5,600 children from birth to age five at the request of 27 community agencies
- Watch Me Grow - distributes over 20,000 booklets as a guide for parents about the developmental stages of their children
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