In this Issue

Summer 2008

Summer can be a great season for renewal and reflection, and we hope that you have a little time for both. That being said most folks we talk and work with are as busy as ever! We encourage you all to keep up the good work and take a minute to review the celebrations, reminders, and announcements we've put together for Summer 2008.

AVAILABLE NOW
The Best Practice Study of Municipal Recreation Departments is complete and availabe for download on our website. The study was complied to provide an overview of strong Municipal Recreation Departments from around the country and assist in building expanded support for and development of recreation opportunities in New Orleans. If you are interested in participating in the planning of this effort please fill out and submit our Contact form online.

On the Calendar

We will resume our monthly meetings on:

August 20th
10:30 am
4319 Carondelet Street
New Orleans, Louisiana

This meeting will provide a complete overview and presentation of the Youth Funding analysis commissioned by our organization. And as always we will have time for networking and the spotlighting of a local program.

We look forward to seeing you there!

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Capitol Thanks!

This year marked our first statewide Day at the Capitol event and a big thanks goes out to all those who participated. It served as a great time for legislators from around the state to get to know the field of afterschool and the youth that are involved. This success was possible because of all the wonderful providers and youth who contributed by writing letters, providing materials, performing, and attending.

Afterschool Partnership also extends our heartfelt thanks to Senators Broome, Duplessis, Gray, Murray, and Shepherd for supporting our work publically, and we greatly appreciate the words of Sherri Breaux, Girard Melancon, and Gary Wheat at our morning meeting.

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Partnership-at-Work

The work of Unified Summer Grant awardees continues and nationally the partnership that made these grants possible has received very good press from the Philanthropy News Digest. Click to read all about it!

With support from the Wallace Foundation, the Afterschool Partnership is excited to lead the Quality Improvement Project (QIP) in partnership with sixteen of the Unified Summer Grant awardees. We look forward to sharing the project findings with our network and using the information gleaned to determine how to plan for our monthly provider meetings/trainings and other professional development opportunities throughout the year.

The Quality Advising Team is being led by Susan Buras and includes Maggie Maag, Louvinia Wallace, Melissa Gemeinhardt, Kris Armstrong, and Jackie Richard.

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Under Construction

Our Articles Club has been a place for touching base on research, sharing views, and learning more about the afterschool field. Participants really enjoy the informal format for discussing articles of mutual interest, but sometimes struggle to find the time to join in. With that in mind we are in the process of re-vamping the Articles Club and want your help.

Dara is taking the lead on this exciting project and would love to work with anyone who has an interest. Please contact her at dlum@gnoafterschool.org to get involved, and look for the new "construction" this Spring.

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C2E

Coming Spring 2009
Connect2Educate: A Community & Public School Mixer
The Connect2Educate group is putting together this event so public school staff will be able to meet directly with community based groups who serve youth in the community. The vision is that every public school community in Orleans Parish will be aware of every resource available to it that can help the school meet its objectives.

Shelley is coordinating the Presenter committee which is responsible for involving area providers in the event. If you would like your group to participate as a presenter on the day of the event or if you want to serve on the working committee please contact her directly. More details soon!

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Opportunities

Mental Health Service for youth 3-21
If you know of any youth ages 3-21 years of age in need of mental health services and treatment, please contact Sanquinette Haynes, LA-YES Intake Coordinator, to learn more and be enrolled in the program. Ms. Haynes can be reached at shaynes@dhh.la.gov, 504-896-2625.

NASA
Visit the NASA site for education and outreach to find out about projects focused on children and youth. They offer several options that can spice up science and learning in any program.

Teaching Tolerance grants
www.tolerance.org/teach/grants/guide.jsp
Pre-K through grade 12 classroom teachers can get funds for projects designed to reduce prejudice among youth, improve intergroup relations in schools, and/or support educator professional development in these areas. (Proposals from other community organizations and houses of worship will be considered on the basis of direct student impact.)

Grandparents Support Group
SUNO's School of Social Work is sponsoring a support group for grandparents who are raising their grandchildren. The group will meet on Wednesday, July 30th, 11am at Charles R. Drew Elementary (3819 St. Claude Ave, Family Resource Center - room 108). For more information call 504.284.5411.

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