New Beginning Project
At a time when more children are unsupervised between the time of 2 and 9 pm, the need for quality after-school programming is great. A quality after-school, or summer program can provide a safe place for kids and additional learning opportunities.
The reasons why we need after-school programs:
- Over 28 million school-age children have both parents or single parent in the workforce.
- Millions of children are left alone at home each week.
- Many children, especially low-income children, lose ground in reading if they are not engaged in organized learning over the summer.
- Experts agree that school-age children who are unsupervised during the hours after school are more likely to receive poor grades and drop out of school than those who are involved in supervised, constructive activities.
- Statistics show that most juvenile crime takes place between the hours of 2:00 and 9:00 pm, and that children are also at much greater risk of being the victims of crime during the hours after school.
A. Basic Skills Remediation
Youth who are basic skills deficient at registration will be enrolled into our Youth Service program which provides the youth with assistance in math, reading and comprehension. In some cases students with higher deficiencies will be referred to one of the City Colleges of Chicago, where they will receive Adult Basic Education in reading and/or math. The student will be assessed for progress and when proficiency is achieved the youth will be able to enroll into their program of choice.
B. Dropout Prevention Strategies
Students who are having trouble in their academics will be referred to the Youth Service Initiative program to receive tutoring, study skills training and instruction leading to successful completion of their academic studies. If the program cannot achieve the goals for the student, they will be referred to an Academic Support Center. The Academic Support Center assists students in successfully completing academic subjects. A variety of services available through three divisions help achieve this goal. The Academic Support Center provides individual and group tutorial services via the use of an interactive computer system for the review and reinforcement of classroom instruction. Tutoring is offered in: Accounting, Biology, Business, Chemistry, Critical thinking, Economics, English, GED, Math, and Statistics.
The Academic Support Center serves as a bridge between instruction and student services. It assists with the transition of new students, provides a supportive academic environment for all students, and assist students in developing a meaningful educational plan compatible to their goals. The department identifies the educational needs of students and assists in fostering successful learning skills. Support is provided through a variety of options: workshops, tutorial services, and easy to use interactive computer systems
Other dropout prevention strategies include activities that gives incentives and supports to improve attendance; programs to encourage parent involvement; early intervention for academic difficulties (such as peer tutoring programs); community mentorship; and partnerships with community business to connect school to work. Development of high school alternative programs that provide nontraditional approaches to vocational training and high school completion will also provide options for students who have not been successful in meeting the academic or social demands of the typical school program.
C. Alternative And/Or Secondary School Offerings
The Youth Services program has a linkage agreement with The City College’s of Chicago Education Programs provides under-prepared adult learners with access to post-secondary education. The program serves the educational needs of adults who reside in Chicago and who have not completed either elementary or secondary education.
The Adult Learning Skills Program's noncredit courses include:
- GED preparation
- Spanish GED
- ESL (English as a second Language)
- Literacy
- Citizenship classes
They offer, Opportunities for Chicagoans living and working anywhere in the city to complete basic and secondary school and gain entry-level skills for employment, A bilingual staff to assist you in reaching your goals, Use of facilities: Computer lab, library, academic support center, extra curricular activities and more.
Individual goals may include post-secondary education, basic employment skills training, and/or personal and career enhancement. More specifically, it is to serve the educational needs of adults who reside in Chicago and who have not completed either elementary or secondary education. Through the Adult Education program, Malcolm X College provides a range of academic courses and programs in locations throughout the city. Classes are also offered at the main campus, the Malcolm X College West Side Learning Center and twenty-five off campus sites in and around Chicago.
D. Leadership Development Opportunities
Incorporated into our Youth Services programs are leadership elements that promote positive social behavior and teach employment skills such as decision making. The essential objectives of this community service program are to provide a highly disciplined, highly structures work and re-education proves for you young adults under the control of the Criminal Justice System. Over a five-year period we anticipate the creation of 500 permanent jobs in depressed community areas for members of the offender population. Specifically, these jobs will be in the area of housing recycling.
Begin making a difference and call 773-626-8655
info@homeoflife.org