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In this Issue
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May 2009
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Welcome to Summer 2009! Later this month, another school year will be complete and it is our hope that this summer will bring many new opportunities for out-of-school time learning experiences. We continue striving to change traditional thinking about summer and to increase the quality and quantity of programs available. Thank you for your support of and work towards these goals.
Special Announcement
Student applications to the Legislative Youth Advisory Council are DUE this Thursday, 4/30. Application packets and instructions are available online at civiced.louisiana.gov.
The Legislative Youth Advisory Council, an appointed body composed entirely of students and overseen by the Louisiana Commission on Civic Education, is now in its second year of giving youth a voice on an array of issues affecting young people today. This is a unique opportunity for students to impact state policy affecting Louisiana's youth.
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National Afterschool Association
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Over 2,400 afterschool professionals attended the 2009 Convention in New Orleans. Thank you to all our providers and community-partners who participated in the Neighborhood Site Visits during the National Afterschool Association Convention on 4/2 & 3, 2009. Over 300 participants visited nine neighborhoods, bringing national attention to the tremendous rebuilding efforts and youth work happening across New Orleans.
A special thank you to the following organizations: All Souls Episcopal Church, American Red Cross, Backstreet Cultural Museum, Broadmoor Improvement Association, Café Reconcile, Central City Renaissance Alliance, Early Childhood and Family Learning Foundation, Kedila Family Learning Center, Leonidas House, lowernine.org, Mid-City Neighborhood Association, New Orleans African American Museum, New Orleans Outreach, North Rampart Community Center, Pentecost Baptist Church Educational and Outreach Programs, St. Augustine Catholic Church, St. John #5 Baptist Church Camp ACE, St. Tammany 21st Century Community Learning Center, Trinity Christian Community, Xavier University of New Orleans Community Arts Program, Youth Empowerment Project, and YMCA of Greater New Orleans.
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AYD Supervisor Applications, DUE 5/15
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Advancing Youth Development in New Orleans continues with our second supervisor specific session. If your organization has sent Youth Workers through previous training sessions or you would like to begin incorporating AYD in your work, please consider providing this opportunity to staff responsible for supervising Youth Workers.
The training is scheduled for 6/22, 24, & 26. Attendance each day from 9am to 2pm is required in order to be considered for participation. Breakfast refreshments and lunch are provided each day. This training is currently provided at no cost to participating organizations; don't miss out on this valuable opportunity! Applications are available on our website. Contact Kathleen with questions.
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Summer Changes Everything in NOLA, 5/27
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We are planning an exciting kick-off for summer programing on Wednesday, 5/27 at the Colton School Studio, 2300 St. Claude Ave. Summer Changes Everything in NOLA, a summer staff training opportunity, will begin with an engaging and interactive presentation by Erin Ulery from the National Center for Summer Learning to educate summer staff on the importance summer in the lives of children and motivate them to provide the best possible experiences for the children of the region. Afternoon sessions with provide some hands-on activities that programs can take back with them and begin to use from the first day of their programs.
Plan to take advantage of this day of renewal and training with new and veteran staff members. RSVP to Kathleen with number of staff attending.
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Fight Crime, Invest in Kids
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According to Fight Crime, Invest in Kids, the 2009 National Law Enforcement Leadership Survey clearly indicates that law enforcement professionals support the expansion of high quality out-of-school time programming as a crime-prevention strategy.
In fact, 97% of the law enforcement professionals surveyed responded that they believe afterschool and summer youth programs are effective in providing long-term sustained reductions in crime rates. A vast majority of respondents (88%) also fear that the economic crisis will result in an increase in family anxiety, stress, child abuse, and neglect making the support out-of-school time programs, which provide support to working families, even more crucial. The survey, conducted last month, polled over 600 sheriffs, district attorneys, and police chiefs across the country.
To view the survey results, visit www.fightcrime.org/reports/masondixonpollcan2009.pdf
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Summer Summit Outcomes
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Last month, we co-hosted a “Summer Learning Summit: Strengthening Out-of-School Learning Outcomes” with The Wallace Foundation to present key findings on the importance of out-of-school learning options for youth and to announce The Wallace Foundation’s “Summer Learning Grant Initiatives” in support of New Orleans youth programs.
Jennifer Brady, from the National Center for Summer Learning at Johns Hopkins University, presented the latest research related to learning issues during out-of-the-classroom hours for youth. Her presentation is available online in our Resource Library.
The Wallace Foundation also announced the awardees for their summer grant funds. Congratulations to: Catholic Charities, Desire Street Ministries, the Jefferson Youth Foundation, Kedila Family Learning Center, Kingsley House, New Orleans Outreach, New Orleans Police and Justice Foundation, Urban League, Volunteers of America, and Young Audiences.
Unified Summer Grant Collaborative awardees will be announced this month.
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Day at the Capitol, 5/28
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Please plan to join us and colleagues from across Louisiana in informing our state legislators about the importance of afterschool for our children, youth, families, and communities.
We will have a morning session beginning at 10:00 am with speakers at the State Library and then have tables set up in the Capitol Rotunda from 1:00 – 4:00 pm to highlight afterschool around the state.
Bus transportation from New Orleans to Baton Rouge will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis, registration required. We are also asking providers and youth-based organizations to display in the Rotunda with pictures, brochures, and other materials about your programs. Registration form available in our Resource Library please complete and return by 5/16. Contact Dara with any quesitons.
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Spotlight: Open World Family Services
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Open World Family Services (OWFS) was created three years ago to make families stronger by offering services that address their needs.
OWFS offers a broad spectrum of services, including child development and child care referrals designed to help parents understand the needs of their children and the resources available to them; educational enrichment programs encouraging world exploration; a wellness programs that offers health screenings in conjunction with medical groups; school-based resource programs; Dance Into Recovery Program; Tobacco Control Resource Program; adult learning and career development programs; housing recovery and referral programs; and employment.
“We are very excited to be able to offer summer activities for so many children this year and to be able to put together a larger dedicated staff to support our efforts,” says Kim Cassell, the Executive Director of OWFS. “We have many things happening right now. We are currently registering for our summer enrichment programs, hiring for many staff positions, and enrolling 11 to 17 year olds in our free Youth Leadership and Mentorship Program on 5/9, 16 & 23,” adds Cassell.
For more information please call 504.274.9780, email openworldsite@yahoo.com, or visit www.geocities/openworldsite.
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Announcements
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The Audubon Institute is currently registering participants in its Summer 2009 Zoo Teacher Programs. For more information, contact Audubon Zoo Teacher Programs at 504.212.5378, zooschool@auduboninstitute.org, or www.auduboninstitute.org
America’s Promise Alliance is organizing service-learning trainings for teachers, made possible by funding through State Farm. The training will be two days long and offer parallel tracks for teachers and administrators. For more information contact Julia McNabb at the United Way at 504.827.9260, juliam@unitedwaynola.org, or www.seanetonline.org
University of New Orleans and the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities are offering the summer institute “Putting PRIME TIME in New Orleans Public School” a summer institute for New Orleans public school teachers K-8. The course runs from 6/8 - 7/2, offers a $750 stipend, 3 hours of UNO graduate credit, and 45 CLUs. For more information, contact Dr. Nancy Dixon at 504.202.0121 or ndixon@uno.edu.
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Upcoming Events
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5/27/09 Summer Staff Training
A day of learning and sharing as we begin the summer. Details available above or by contacting Kathleen.
5/28/09 Day at the Capitol
Please plan to join us for this exciting day at our state's Capitol. Details and bus information available above or by contacting Dara.
Provider Meetings
Meetings are on summer hiatus until 8/26. We look forward to seeing you at our May events.
Enjoy your summer!
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