Everything Under The Sun: A Neighborhood Boost Into The Future

Seasons and vegetables are on the learning menu for third through fifth grade students.

Situated on the outer edge of Reservoir Hill in Baltimore City is ST. FRANCIS NEIGHBORHOOD CENTER. Since it first started in 1963, the center has served the residents of this neighborhood, approximately 300 adults, youth, and families every month. The center provides programs that improve the lives of those who live in the area, while also making a better Baltimore. Some of its programs include personal finance courses, job readiness courses for adults and youth, youth development programs, computer lab mentoring and classes, green projects and neighborhood clean-ups, Reservoir Hill Resource Fair & Festival, yoga classes, space for community meetings, etc.

Let's take a look at the Power Project an afterschool youth educational program. The Power Project is a free youth development program for those ages 5 to 15. It combines education, mentoring, and the arts and can accommodate fifty children at one time. It runs from 3:00 PM to 6:15 PM Monday through Thursday during the school year; all participants receive dinner and snacks. Children have the opportunity to receive one-to-one tutoring; academic enrichment; attend seminars and workshops; engage in the center's art, dance, and music groups; and establish relationships with positive adult role models.

This program was designed to improve students' grades and school behavior, while offering parents workshops and family engagement nights. Approximately 90% of parents attend their portion of the program. In assessments conducted by an outside organization, the program has led to a 10% improvement of scores in language and math skills.

Partnerships with various stakeholders are enriching the lives of the youth participants, through attractive activities. Crazy 8s is a math club that utilizes fun activities incorporating math skills, such as making glow-in-the-dark structures, cracking spy codes, and playing games. Readers & Leaders is the tutoring program. Using the same techniques as private tutors in more affluent communities, reading specialists and volunteers meet with students in small groups and their progress is tracked in individual binders. Holistic Life provides yoga and meditation once each month to reduce stress and improve health. Code in the Schools is provided twice each week. Students get the chance to program robots, write computer code, and use the 3-D printer, in this STEM-friendly activity.

University of Maryland brings in their Nutrition--Food Supplement Nutrition Education Program once each week. Students can learn to cook, try new foods and ingredients, and incorporate a wider variety of foods into their regular diets. In Art with Randi Reiss-McCormick children have weekly sessions in the art of printmaking. Baltimore City Health Department created the Making A Difference curriculum, which teaches sexual health and wellness to those age 9 to 11. The Flight Program brings Group 3 boys together with Mr. Dan once each week for counseling and mentoring. The Butterfly Garden Service Learning Project focuses on butterflies. Students learn about their migration habits, growth and development, while building and maintaining the center's butterfly garden.

Building glow-in-the-dark structures makes math a bit easier.

It's definitely a wonderful contribution to the community and children's lives to offer such a rich way for these young people to spend their free time, while under competent adult supervision. Certainly, this afterschool program is providing additional learning experiences in a fun environment and helping these youth in need make positive steps in their future direction.