Weekly Media Roundup: May 22, 2019

South Philly Students Write Their Own Children’s Books, Catholic Philly (Pennsylvania)

The new library at the St. Gabriel Out-of-School Time (OST) program in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania features many books written by the program’s own students. Operated by Catholic Social Services, St. Gabriel OST is a year-round afterschool program focused on academic, social and recreational support for students in kindergarten through 12th grade. Students recently created their own books through the “Write Brain” program, which uses illustrated templates to help students develop their creativity and literacy skills. “I was emotional when I saw the books,” OST Group Leader Janet Reda told Catholic Philly. “I filled up. The kids were so into this, especially the younger ones.”

Punching Out Violence, Beloit Daily News (Wisconsin)

Each weeknight, teenagers in Beloit, Wisconsin gather in the ROJAS Boxing Gym to interact with mentors and learn social and emotional skills through boxing. Program founder Markese Terrell created the program after his cousin was killed while observing a street fight. Terrell hopes the program will create a safe environment for young people to process their emotions. Program volunteers check in with the students’ schools to ensure they are succeeding academically as well. “In boxing, if you get hit in the face you can't get mad or it will throw off your boxing style,” 14-year-old Nahcere Smith told the Beloit Daily News. “This is a place to learn how to cope with my anger, train, fight legally and get off the streets.”

Be Kind: Dance to Unite Teaches Kindness Through Dance, ABC 7 (New York)

At eight afterschool programs in New York City, students learn about cultures different from their own through dancing. The dances are led by Dance to Unite, a nonprofit that teaches students dance styles ranging from Bollywood to ballroom in order to promote cultural awareness and kindness. Dance to Unite starts each session with a “Circle Talk” during which facilitators emphasize the value of diversity. “If we can start when they’re young to open their minds to acceptance and compassion and giving and bonding and unity, we can really make it a better world,” founder Galit Adani told ABC 7.

Gulfton Area Nonprofit CHAT Holding Summer Academy Camp for Children, Houston Chronicle (Texas)

During the school year, Culture of Health – Advancing Together (CHAT) operates an afterschool program for immigrant and refugee students that includes homework help, photography, music and more. With summer approaching, the nonprofit has developed the Summer CHAT Academy, a series of camps that will offer math and reading instruction, elective activities and hot meals. Activities including field trips, baking classes and play production are intended to help immigrant students – some of whom have arrived in the United States very recently – learn English, integrate socially and build a community. “We realized that these are the children who are missing out on things and are deprived of things that others would have. We do not want the children to be running around unattended, and not having structured activities,” CHAT founder Aisha Siddiqui told the Houston Chronicle.