Weekly Media Roundup: December 12, 2018

Students Give Written ‘Hugs’ to Victims, Tribune Chronicle (Ohio)

The 21^st Century Learning afterschool program at Willard PK-8 School in Warren, Ohio is providing a safe space for students to process tragedy. This fall, students wrote personal notes and collaborated on an art project that will be sent to families and first responders affected by the shooting at Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh. The afterschool program, which also provides math and literacy support, used the project to promote service learning as well as socio-emotional skills. “This is meeting a need and showing the people in Pennsylvania that they are not forgotten,” Site Coordinator Adrian Komora told the Tribune Chronicle. “We are sending a message that they are not forgotten and our prayers are with them.”

Season for Sharing: ICAN Has Been Helping Chandler Kids Since 1991, Arizona Republic (Arizona)

Each day, approximately 250 children in Chandler, Arizona access mentors, academic support, and science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM) education at ICAN afterschool programs. Because ICAN serves students in kindergarten through high school, its programs can provide consistent life skills programming that evolves over the course of a student’s educational career. Lavaughan Ballesteros is one of multiple students who have joined ICAN staff after graduating high school. “As a kid, I was super shy,” Ballesteros told the Arizona Republic. “Coming to ICAN opened me up. I really appreciate that, so I’m trying to give back as much as I can.”

Norm’s Collaborations Add STEAM to After School, The Kansan (Kansas)

In Newton, Kansas, middle school students benefit from a unique afterschool provider: a downtown coffee shop. Norm’s Coffee Bar provides more than 100 students daily with free STEAM programming. Projects are fueled by community partnerships: For example, the Newton Public Library regularly teaches circuitry; the Lions Club donated Chromebooks for homework support; and the Newton Police Department has provided drug prevention education. “We want to continue to paint a picture for students in this space and our community at large of what collaboration looks like,” Owner Tami Lakey told the Kansan.

Darien YMCA Launches New Program for Special Needs Youth, The Darien Times (Connecticut)

A new program in Darien, Connecticut is building pathways to careers for students with special needs after school. The Innovative Vocations program provides young people ages 13 to 21 with opportunities to support the YMCA through tasks such as working in the kitchen, managing recycling and serving snacks for other afterschool programs. Participants are compensated for their work in “Y” dollars, which can be used for Dollar Store or Amazon purchases. The program “focuses on life skills and serves to increase independence,” Suzanne Richards, director of youth development and special needs programs, told the Darien Times. “[Students] learn about money, saving, and earning.”