Learning Living Leading

We recognize that schools can’t give kids all they need, academically and developmentally, in seven hour a day & Families can’t do it all in the hectic hours between work and bedtime, the Learning, Living, Leading program's goal is to provide a creative, fun and safe learning environment where students can reach their potential through academic assistance, and enrichment classes such as the arts and sports.

Research has shown that higher income families routinely treat after-school activates as part of their kids education in creative and critical thinking, and in skills they can’t acquire in the classroom. That’s why they pay for sports, arts, homework help, music instruction and other enrichments that help kids discover who they are and who they hope to become. However, a to study conducted by the CGR showed that , 97% of Rochester City School District students qualify for free or reduced lunch in 2005. The study also shows that 32% of families with children under 18 are living below the poverty level. Furthermore 60% of families with children under 18 and headed by a single parent. Making the possibility for affording these after school essentials virtually an impossibility.

During our After School program, our children (ages 6 to 12) & youth (13-19) will receive tutoring and academic assistance as well as participate in enrichment classes. This program will also include groups for our elementary-aged children. Each group has about ten members, and is designed to begin the process of education, and exploration, to empower them to succeed early in the academic environment.

Our older youth (ages 13 to 19) will also receive academic support and participate in enrichment activities during the After School Program. These activities will include graphic design, dance, cooking, beading & sports. In addition, the teens will be trained to become program assistants, helping their younger peers build reading skills and helping them reflect in order to achieve personal development.

Once a week qualified and interviewed Mentors will be present to provide an additional network of support for our children & youth. Through fun activities, group projects and special mentoring outings, these adults become an additional network of support for our members. In addition Mentors will also provide our teens with an inside look at their professional career interests.

The ultimate goal of the Learning, Living Leading After School Program is to help youth realize and achieve their individual potential as well as increase their ability to empower others within their community. A comprehensive program evaluation which takes into consideration various data sources such as student grades and test scores, surveys, observations and interviews.

Each student will go through and in-depth evaluation to assure that the program is achieving its goals. Acceptance interviews will be arranged in order to assess the students current academic and social needs. On a quarterly basis the after school program students will be evaluated by members of the staff to determine improvements in behavior, communication, achievement and various other factors