a trip through time : for the chance to write
By christina cano
As soon as you see The Time Travel Mart you realize it is not an ordinary shop. The entrance displays life size sculpture of a robot and caveman reaching for a hand shake, that's when you know you are entering a different dimension. It is where all of time collides.
The shop offers an array of goods from different time periods. They have an incubator where we wait in anticipation for the dinosaur hatchlings to tear their claws through their egg shells, medieval knight armor for all your chivalric needs, there are VHS videos from the nineties, and even robot milk from the future. You can also try on mad scientist glasses or different facial hair trends based on eras. It is not just a quirky shop, it actually serves the community with a greater purpose. Behind the store is a complete learning center dedicated to improving and educating children in creative and expository writing skills. All of its proceeds from The Time Travel Mart go to the 826LA, a non profit writing and learning center. They offer free workshops that range from fictional writing to journalism to the children of the local community. Echo Park is home to a large population of underprivileged families where many of the childrens' parents don't speak English but the learning center offers a place where they can find the help they need that they may not be able to get at home. The learning center also free tutoring and help with homework. The children involved with 826LA have the opportunity to become published authors. Many of the books written by the children are sold at the Time Travel Mart to keep the program going. |
Anything you might need for a trip through time.
The staff and tutors at The Time Travel Mart are passionate about what they do. Sam Randazzo, a volunteer, was the man behind the counter at The Time Travel Mart. He, as well as many others, offer their time to support the organization.
Their mission is to get children interested in reading and writing. "The greatest feeling is seeing a kid so excited to see his work on print. Then they get to share it and they just feel so proud", says Randazzo. The greatest payoff lies in watching the children succeed. No doubt The Time Travel Mart offers fun and out of the ordinary novelties but it goes beyond that. It promotes learning and education in an innovative way. They are constantly looking for volunteers looking to lending a hand feel free to stop by anytime! |