Weekly Media Roundup: June 22, 2022

When the End of School Means the Beginning of Summer Learning Loss … and What This Local Nonprofit is Doing About it, Brooklyn Reader (New York)

For six weeks this summer, more than 100 students in Horizons NYC’s summer learning program will learn to swim and kayak, participate in a debate league, create digital music, take journalism classes, study the mathematical properties of water, go camping, and learn about environmental conservation. The free program focuses on combatting summer learning loss and supporting students’ social and emotional growth. The Brooklyn nonprofit also operates an afterschool program that includes tutoring, mentorship, and college application support. “I’m here to show all children that you matter and that whatever your aspirations are in life, I can help you achieve them by providing you with the resources to help you get there,” Program Director Tiayana Logan told the Brooklyn Reader.

LAMP Holds Juneteenth Celebration for Tallahassee Youth, WTXL (Florida)

In honor of Juneteenth, the Link Up After School Mentoring Program (LAMP) in Tallahassee, Florida hosted a community celebration that included remarks from local Black leaders, student performances and discussions about the importance of the historic day. "[Students] need to know that there are people who care about them, that love them, that community members love them other than just their family, that adults in their community that look like them love them and will go out of their way to take care of them," Brian Shaw, program director, told WTXL. LAMP provides afterschool programming to students living in Griffin Heights, Bond and surrounding lower income neighborhoods.

Summer Programs Offer Learning and Fun for Kids at Pike County Library, WSAZ (Kentucky)

Throughout the summer, Pike County, Kentucky libraries are hosting summer programs for students ages 12 and under. The programs offer arts and crafts, reading, and special events specific to each age group. “While they’re out of school, it’s great to keep up through learning with reading to prevent learning loss that happens during the summer,” Program Coordinator Maggie Salisbury told WSAZ. “It’s good for less screen time, it’s good for their socioemotional development, and it’s fun and free.”

Adopt-A-Family Offers Summer Camp for Children Facing Homelessness, WPTV (Florida)

Through engaging, educational afterschool and summer programs, Adopt-A-Family provides a safe, stable environment for students experiencing homelessness to learn and have fun. The Lake Worth Beach, Florida nonprofit says it has recently seen a spike in families needing services due to rising housing costs. The out-of-school time programs take place across the street from Julian Place, a housing unit operated by Adopt-A-Family, where many participating students live. “One of the things we notice is that after a while they can actually relax because they feel safe,” Daron Morse, the youth educational programs director, told WPTV. “We're really thinking about serving the whole child. So we're looking at their emotional development, their academics, and providing services wherever they can fit in.”