Weekly Media Roundup: November 21, 2018

Afterschool Girls + STEAM Program Launches, Fosters (Delaware)

In Delaware, girls in the Seymour Osman Community Center afterschool program learn engineering concepts by working with UV reactive beads, building sun-resistant shelters, and more. The new “Girls + STEAM” (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics) program results from a partnership between the afterschool program and the STEAM Innovation Lab at the Children’s Museum of New Hampshire. The projects provide safe opportunities for girls to explore new skills and interests. “I try to make a point of mentioning that there are many different ways to solve a problem or approach a challenge,” School-Aged Programs Coordinator Colie Haahr told Fosters. “I hope this is something that will transfer to other areas of their lives. So when they are in a situation where there’s more pressure, they feel confident in their abilities to problem solve.”

Jarrett Allen Spends an Afternoon Grocery Shopping With 25 Kids, Kings County Politics (New York)

To prepare for Thanksgiving, students in the Children of Promise NYC afterschool program went grocery shopping with Brooklyn Nets center Jarrett Allen, who provided each child with a $100 gift card and a grocery shopping list. In addition to helping alleviate the financial strain of a Thanksgiving meal, Allen used the trip to teach life skills, including budgeting and healthy eating. Children of Promise NYC provides a safe community, mentorship and holistic support to children who have a parent serving time in prison. The afterschool program “has been such an anchor of support for the community,” parent Cheyanne Crowder told Kings County Politics. “Whether it is their family engagement or mentorship programs, which my daughter is a part of, there is just tremendous support all around.”

Making A Difference: Al Wooten Jr. Heritage Center Provides a Path to College, Los Angeles Wave Newspapers (California)

Since it was founded in 1990, the Al Wooten Jr. Heritage Center has grown from serving four boys to operating afterschool programs at six sites and serving more than 350 third to 12^th grade students each year. Created in memory of a victim of gang violence, the Los Angeles program seeks to combat gang activity by building paths to college and careers for youth. Classes include robotics, aerospace engineering, architecture, coding, world languages and visual arts. “The community has been very supportive,” Executive Director Naomi McSwain told Los Angeles Wave Newspapers. “[They know] we provide a safe and nurturing environment that is committed to good citizenship and academic excellence.”

Eastpointe After-School Program Gives Students Hands-On Experience, C&G Newspapers (Michigan)

The C2 Pipeline afterschool program in Michigan builds pathways to college and careers for high school students through hands-on experiences. Throughout the year, students work on projects relating to business, health services, social services and STEM fields, and a summer component allows them to experience life as a college student. “[Students] are not just sitting in a desk… They learn from real medical professionals to take blood samples and take tests from patients. It better lets them envision themselves in that role,” Student Engagement Coordinator Maria Ventimiglia told C&G Newspapers.