Weekly Media Roundup: January 19, 2022

Season for Sharing Grant Used by MentorKids for Afterschool and Tutoring Programs, Arizona Republic (Arizona)

More than 300 students in Phoenix, Arizona benefit from afterschool and summer programming provided by MentorKids, supported in part by a grant from the Arizona Republic’s Season for Sharing campaign. MentorKids’ free program focuses on academic support, leadership development, and mentorship, and students explore a wide variety of interests ranging from art to gardening to engineering. “We have students who started with us in second grade and are now serving and mentoring the younger kids as iLEADers,” Executive Director Aaron Parrott told the Arizona Republic. “To see how they have developed into kind, service-focused young leaders who are now investing in our younger kids and serving their communities is the proof that what we do at MentorKids, while not easy, is working in a powerful, transformational way.”

Meet the Person Looking to Improve Sioux Falls' After-School Programs, Sioux Falls Simplified (South Dakota)

Kids Inc, the Sioux Falls School District afterschool program, has a waitlist with more than 500 students -- and more than 4,000 students in Sioux Falls can’t access the afterschool programs they need, according to a study by Sioux Falls Thrive.  To combat these disparities, the school district recently hired Rebecca Wimmer, formerly CEO of the Boys & Girls Club of the Sioux Empire, for a new administrative position. Wimmer is working to build community partnerships to ensure all students, regardless of family income, can access high-quality afterschool programs. “How do we develop a program that ensures every child has access to the same type of program? We're starting to dream about what could this look like,” Wimmer told Sioux Falls Simplified.

Child Care Programs Handle Jump in Kids as KUSD Schools Transition Online, Kenosha News (Wisconsin)

As increasing COVID infection rates in Wisconsin prompted most Kenosha Unified schools to go virtual in early January, many before school and afterschool programs quickly expanded their programs to help families needing support. “We are the backup plan for some people,” Andrea Honey, director of Kid’s Castle’s Before and After School Program, told Kenosha News. “We really felt like, for the community and for our families, that we had to do something.” Despite staffing shortages and new schedules, the programs have been able to provide full day in-person programming.

The ROCK to Provide After-School Programs at Meridian Junior High, Midland Daily News (Michigan)

Thanks to a partnership between Meridian Junior High and The ROCK Center for Youth Development, middle school students in Meridian, Michigan will benefit from a new afterschool program at their school focusing on social and academic enrichment. “Research tells us providing out-of-school time support not only improves academic outcomes but also helps with life skill development, social and emotional learning and enhances the quality of lives for our families. We are proud to partner with a community partner known for these outcomes,” Meridian Superintendent Craig Carmoney told Midland Daily News. The free afterschool program will include homework assistance, physical exercise, crafts, games and meals.