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United Way of the CSRA's Summer AmeriCorps*VISTA Program
Engaging Students in Summer Learning
Too many students struggle in the traditional classroom. According to the Demographic Profile Center for Agribusiness and Economic Development, the percentage of students NOT completing high school in Georgia averages 29.3%. The 2008 America’s Alliance Annual Report states a child drops out of school in America every 26 seconds.
That is why United Way of the CSRAs Summer VISTA program will create an environment where every student can succeed and will target 400 at-risk, homeless and special needs children in the Central Savannah River Area. It is time for us to act, and through this summer service-learning program youth will be able to “turn-on” their minds and gain knowledge and skills. By introducing them and encouraging them to explore new opportunities, they will learn to apply their interests, knowledge, and skills in new ways. Service-learning will open new doors for students to show what they know and can do. By providing an avenue to keep students interested, learning and occupied during the summer, this program will lead to increased student engagement, decreased student violence and more.
Success stories from our 2009 Summer VISTA program:
} A mother and her 4 children in a non-profit family rehab center recover side by side in a healing garden therapy program….. Providing an environment that promotes healing, comfort and serenity was the idea behind this new program developed by our Recovery VISTA, Rosemary. The nonprofit agency and funder agreed and now along with 6 volunteers recruited that oversee the program, 24 families with children in recovery benefit.
} A 6-year old little boy learns that he can….. With the help of our Summer VISTA, who worked with 14 summer program children with learning disabilities that had experienced domestic violence, this young boy was provided a life-changing experience. At first he said “I can’t do it!”, but with patience, he learned how to first trace his letters by himself and then write and identify them. Now with a big smile he says, “I know my letters and I know how to spell my name!”
Outputs: What will be the direct results of our 2010 Summer VISTA Program?
- 400 students will be engaged by learning personal safety, increasing first-aid awareness, developing strength testing skills, exploring writing learn and serve adventure stories, and expanding their overall knowledge of the arts, healthy eating and making right choices.
- 60 community volunteers will be recruited to assist with service-learning programs.
- 3,000 hours of service will be given by ten (10) VISTA Summer Associates over a 10-week period to provide organizational capacity building and student engagement assistance to nonprofits providing service-learning programs.
AmeriCorps*VISTA...FIGHTING POVERTY FOR MORE THAN 40 YEARS.
United Way of the CSRA…IMPROVES LIFE IN OUR COMMUNITY BY MAXIMIZING THE IMPACT OF CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTIONS.
TOGETHER, A GREAT PARTNERSHIP!
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