Not the Typical After School Program

Aug. 10, 2010 - PRLog -- The J.C. Coleman Foundation, a 501C3 nonprofit which works with at-risk kids at the John S. Delaware Center, promotes a program model that differs from most after school models. They offer more than just homework help: they offer tutorials and enrichment activities that actively engage the kids to make them want to learn more. This model has been primarily responsible for the tremendous strides the after school participants made during the 2009-2010 school year.

For example, in surveys administered throughout the year, 72% of the after school kids said their attitude toward school had improved, 94% said their work seemed easier, 95% said their parents were glad they were a part of the program, and 85% said the tutors helped them better understand their work. Given report cards, 69% improved in reading comprehension, 67% improved in both math and writing, 67% did not have conduct issues, and 67% turned in their homework on a regular basis.

Why are these stats worth noting? This is note-worthy because the Coleman/Delaware free after school program helped students to think more abstractly and to expand their world views. The participants were introduced to current events, literacy, media appreciation, arts and crafts, and sports and recreation. By being exposed to the variety of media, kids not only experienced subjects outside their school curriculum, they also had a lot of fun.

The Foundation also offered healthy snacks which helped to promote a healthy lifestyle while the children learned about nutrition. Their homework was the priority, but once completed, students were anxious to move to tutorials and enrichment. And their day with the Foundation ended with a dinner by Second Harvest.

This is the model the J.C. Coleman Foundation plans to embrace for the 2010-2011 school year. Research shows that after school programs can improve school attendance and engagement in learning, can improve test scores and grades, can keep kids safe, healthy, and on track for success, and can help working families. (After School Alliance) The Foundation’s program has seen results, turning “can’s” into “do’s.”

Research also points out that students who are at “greater risk show greatest gains” and the population of the Coleman program is at-risk—of not passing. One of the main goals of the Foundation is to change lives through education. The after school model is changing lives as is heard in the chatter and laughter of the kids of the program and their insatiable desire to learn more.

So the after school program of the J.C. Coleman Foundation is not a typical after school program. It is free and offers opportunities for its participants to expand and grow while strengthening the community and encouraging home and school interaction. The program model is a step beyond—and a step above

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About The J.C. Coleman Foundation is a non-profit 501C3 whose main focus is to help the at-risk children. Through free tutoring, unconventional educational strategies, challenging and exciting activities, preteens and teens build respect for themselves and gain a desire to explore new and diverse possibilities, thus improving their quality of life and also help their community.

The mission of The J.C. Coleman Foundation, Inc. is to improve academic achievement and the attitude toward academics of at-risk adolescents through a variety of creative, innovative, non-traditional and collaborative services.