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After School Program Provides Safe Haven & Homework Help
by Donna Spengler, Stewardship Director
 According to the Ohio Afterschool Network (2006),
afterschool programs contribute to better grades, peer relations, emotional
adjustment, and conflict resolution skills.
They can also "reduce problem behaviors such as aggression and conduct
problems as well as drug use.[1]"
"Juveniles are at the highest risk of being a victim of violence
between 2:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. and the peak hour for juvenile crime is from
3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., the first hour that most students are dismissed from
school," the report states.
Students
who spend no time in extracurricular activities, such as those offered in
after-school programs, are "49 percent more likely to have used drugs and 37
percent more likely to become teen parents than are those students who spend
one to four hours per week in extracurricular activities."
 All
of these are great reasons that churches and nonprofits should run afterschool
programs, but according to Deon, a Fifth grader at Harambee Christian School,
"it's just fun!"
Since Urban Concern began in 1991, we have operated the After School
Program (ASP) each week-day during the school year. The program is now held at the Harambee
Community Center from 3:30 to 6:00 p.m.
Sixty-seven percent of the 58 elementary students (ages 5-11) who attend
our program come from single parent homes.
Additionally, 88% are eligible for free or reduced priced meals. The program serves children in the South
Linden community by providing academic assistance and character development in
a safe, structured setting where they can do their homework and enjoy time in
play afterwards.
Students enjoy the program because it gives them a safe place to hang
out with their friends after school and do their homework. This makes it easier for parents as well,
many who need supervision for their children until they get home from work.
The Urban
Concern After School Program has four objectives:
- Homework
Assistance: Students spend a minimum of
one hour each day on homework or other enrichment activities. They are assisted by staff & volunteers.
- Character
Development: Students receive
instruction and reinforcement in essential character qualities to build a
foundation for healthy relationships and character development.
- Health
& Well-being: Students are provided
a free nutritious meal every day through the Children's Hunger Alliance.
- Recreational
Activities: Students participate in
physical activities such as basketball, cheerleading, soccer and other sports
at the Harambee Community Center. Six
students participate in violin lessons. The Fifth Graders also have band practice after school.
Outcome-Based Results
There are
two goals we use to determine the success of the After School Program. First, we want each ASP student to attend 80%
of the time. Our second goal is for each
student to successfully complete his or her homework at least 90% of the time.
Character development is an important aspect of leadership development
as well. In keeping with Martin Luther
King Jr.'s dream that his four little children would
"one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their
skin but by the content of their character," at the end
of the school year, the ASP awards each child with a
Character Award based on a character quality where their teacher has seen
excellence or improvement. We also
recognize outstanding academic achievement through the Frederick Douglass
Award.
The following chart shows program results over the past 3 years. This year, through the generous support of the
Harry C. Moores Foundation, Ingram-White Castle Foundation and Valmark
Securities, we've been able to provide this important service to the community
as well as continue to increase enrollment.
OUTCOMES Enrollment Average Daily Attendance Percent Completing Homework
2006-07 46 36 87%
2007-08 53 44 95%
2008-09 58 51 95%
Dedicated
Staff & Volunteers
 Urban Concern has a dedicated staff of After School workers and
volunteers, led by Kristen Tanner, ASP Director. Kristen started the Suzuki Violin program and
is currently teaching six children music lessons. She is assisted by classroom workers Victoria
Goodson, Christine Sanda and Caitlin Seabrook.
Approximately 20 to 25 volunteers assist in the classrooms each
week. If you would like to volunteer
your time after school, please contact Kristen Tanner at 614-291-0885 x 160 or
email tannerk@urbanconcern.org.
Urban Concern programs work holistically to accomplish our mission of
empowering individuals and families to be agents of positive change in South
Linden. These programs include the After
School Program, Harambee
Christian School, Job Club, Summer Elementary Enrichment Program, Family
& Community Development activities and adult and youth small group Bible
studies.
[1] The Strategy Team,
LTD. Report to Ohio Afterschool Network:
Afterschool Programming in Ohio - Supply and Demand Estimates. Columbus, OH:
August 2006
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Volunteer Tutors Needed
Urban Concern is seeking volunteers to work with students during the
regular school day at Harambee School and during the After School
Program. Most volunteer positions involve tutoring K-5th grade students in
reading or math for one hour per week. Days and times are flexible
(M-F, 9am-5pm). If you are interested, please contact Alex Steinman at steinmanal@urbanconcern.org.
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You can make a difference!
- Donate to the Urban Concern Annual Fund or Harambee Scholarship Fund.
Urban Concern is an approved agency for the United Way of Central Ohio's Donor Choice Program for the 2009 campaign year. -
Volunteer by calling (614) 291-0885.
- Spread the word! Forward this email to your family and friends.
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Learn more by subscribing to our new Blog: http://urbanconcern.blogspot.com/ or by visiting our website at www.urbanconcern.org.
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