MAKING A DIFFERENCE BE OUR GUEST SUCCESS!
Thanks to everyone who helped to make Escape to the Arts a success. From June until August, more than 60 children and teens played hard, learned lines, bonded and thoroughly enjoyed themselves thanks to the generous supporters of the Y and the United Way of South Hampton Roads. For the first time this summer we intentionally focused on preventing summer learning loss. The staff used the KidzLit and KidzMath curricula, which incorporate learning in groups as a fun and interactive way to teaching. At the beginning of the summer each student participated in a reading level evaluation, and we were pleasantly surprised that most of our kids were on or above grade level reading. The few who were struggling received extra coaching from their counselors to make up ground. While the goal of the project was to prevent learning loss, I am ecstatic to say that not only did we prevent learning loss, in many cases we enhanced it!
YMCA Community Services 312 W. Bute Street Norfolk ,VA 23510 www.ymcashr.org
IN THIS ISSUE Escape to the Arts YMCA on T.R.A.C.K. PBSKids The First Tee KidsPriorityOne Strengthening Families
ENJOY THIS ISSUE? WANT TO KNOW MORE? Keep up with the latest news on Facebook
www.ymcashr.org/news/ facebook
QUESTIONS, COMMENTS, IDEAS? Contact Angela Benard abenard@ymcashr.org
1
READING TAKES YOU PLACES
The InnerActive Mobile Learning Center hit the road this summer and visited twelve early childhood learning centers bringing fantastic programming from PBS to more than 300 young children. Funds from the United Way support this project and the Y is pleased to announce two more years of continued funding for enhancing preschool education through computer technology. We chose PBSKids because it offers a wide range of children’s programming across a variety of media, including computers, handheld devices (iPod, iPad, ect.) as well as through television. The Ready To Learn initiative and the American Graduate project are helping public media to partner with community organizations like the Y to make real and measurable improvements in learning readiness and graduation rates. Stay tuned for more exciting information on the our partnership with WHRO.
GET IN THE SWING Are you ready for another round of golf? Our kids sure are. Last year, with funds provided by the Hampton Roads Community Foundation’s Community Partners Grant program, the Y and The First Tee taught 60 kids the game of golf and the game of life. Teaching life skills through golf is such a positive way to give young people the skills they need to be successful. We are pleased to announce that the YMCA Community Services First Tee program was selected for a second year of funding. Many thanks to Nancy Moore and Bill Zazynski of The First Tee for making this happen. Feel free to join us on Fridays at Lambert’s Point Golf Course starting at 4:30.
2
ON T.R.A.C.K. WITH NEW OPPORTUNITIES
This is our second year of partnering with the Park Place Child Life Center to provide before and afterschool programming to children living in Park Place, and we are off to a big start. By the end of the second week of school we had a waiting list of five kids. The Child Life Center can only accommodate 50 children in their programs Tutoring and Recreation Afterschool Club for Kids on Tuesdays and Thursdays, but the Y will keep enrolling as long as we have a need. So far we are serving 25 kids each morning starting at 7:30 am and averaging 45 each afternoon. This year we are looking forward to new partnerships with the Park Place School and Urban Discoveries Ministries as we seek new and better ways to enrich the lives of the children we serve. We are also grateful to have the assistance of three interns from ODU’s Department of Human Services. Eric Gorham, Courtney Hackney and Anjinai Hendrix are all a part of the Fall 2012 graduating class and all plan on attending ODU for graduate degrees. Having volunteers and interns is vital to the success of our program. Every set of eyes and hands are a tremendous asset and we are always accepting more. We wish Eric , Courtney and Anjinai the best and will keep them working hard.
The Strengthening Families Program (SFP) involves school age children ages 3-5, 6-11 or 12-16 and their families in 14 family training sessions using family systems and cognitive behavioral approaches to increase resilience and reduce risk factors. The program consists of three life skills courses – parenting skills, youth’s social/life skills, and family life skills. Families attend 14 weekly sessions, beginning with a meal, followed by separate parents and youth groups, and ending with a family group. Personal disclosure is not required and stress is laid on new skills offering more options rather than criticizing old skills or past behavior.
FOOD FAMILY FUN Strengthening Families
Our first series of classes began on Sept 17th with two parents and one child. Thankfully, word spread quickly and we now have seven families including 14 children. Tamara Brown , M.Ed. is the family facilitator and she is assisted by Yvette Mack, coordinator for the VFHY programs, and Brandon Brooms, man of many hats. The second class will begin at the Park Place School in January of 2013 followed by a third in a TBD location in Norfolk. It is such a pleasure to see families coming together to make positive changes in their lives. If you want more information on Strengthening Families please visit their website http://www.strengtheningfamiliesprogram.org/
3
COMMUNITY SUPPORT FOR FAMILY RESOURCES
KidsPriorityOne received a grant of $5,000 in July from the Southeast Virginia Community Foundation. Tom Marshall, former YMCA Major Gifts Director, is the Executive Director of the Foundation. He knows how valuable KPO is to the families in our area. “Children's Programs are the highest priority for the foundation” said Tom. SEVACF serves the Portsmouth and Chesapeake localities. We sincerely appreciate this gift of unrestricted funds.
The Kiwanis Children’s Council is raffling off the New iPad to raise funds for KPO. Tickets are only $5 each (3 for $10, 7 for $20, and 20 for $50) The drawing will be held November 29. If you are interested in helping to sell tickets please contact Brenda, 757-962-5513 bgarrett@ymcashr.org. We accept cash and checks, make payable to KCCHR.
The Kiwanis Harbor Party benefits local charities each year, including KidsPriorityOne! Brenda is a member of the Norfolk Kiwanis Club that organizes this seafood fest in Town Point Park each. Tickets are $40 and includes wine, beer and all you can eat seafood! Planning to attend? Contact Brenda for tickets of visit www.kidspriorityone.org - there is a feature on the home page with a link to ticket sales.
4