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The J.C. Coleman Foundation, Inc. works in partnership with the John S. Delaware Recreation Center in hosting an after-school program to approximately 25 children. The mission of the Foundation is to improve academic achievement and the attitude toward academics of at-risk children through a variety of creative, innovative, non-traditional, and collaborative support services. By improving the community through education and through impacting young lives, the hope of the Foundation is to see an improvement in Chatham County’s high school graduation rates of at-risk youth. The immediate goal is to get the kids off the streets and away from harmful influences and to give them a chance to be self-supporting citizens.
Tutors help each child with homework and then they embark on an enrichment lesson in areas such as current events, literacy, media appreciation, arts and crafts, and sports and recreation. The fourth quarter progress report grades showed a 63% improvement in at least three of their seven classes and a 68% improvement in at least two of their four core classes.
Survey results were also favorable: 95% reported that they like school, 100% reported that they like the J.C. Coleman After-School Program, 89% reported that their grades had improved, and 100% reported that the after-school program helped them at school.
Research shows that participants in after-school programs are less likely to commit crimes, be victims of crime, try drugs, or become teen parents (Iowa After School Alliance). And with 86% of our nation’s youth deprived of the after-school experience, the children at the J.C. Coleman/Delaware After-School Program are not only showing positive results, but they are also fortunate to be in this safe environment.
As documented by fourth quarter results, the J.C. Coleman/Delaware after-school program continues to be effective through intense homework help and fun and exciting enrichment activities.
Photo:
http://www.prlog.org/
