Teen Harvest

Youth Empowerment through Christian performing Arts American families understand the need for quality after-school opportunities. There are over 28 million children whose parents work outside the home. Many of these parents work because of economic necessity. However, too many of their children do not have access to affordable, supervised, and constructive activities during the hours after school. These students come home to empty houses. These children are at a higher risk for obesity, drug, alcohol, and tobacco use, delinquent behavior, violent victimization, and injury than their peers who are supervised after school. Most teens do not have a safe haven that is free and easily accessible within their community. Teens need a place that they can feel comfortable to express how they feel, Interact with other students and get the daily exercise often overlooked in the course of a busy school day. The program will address academic need, social skills, gang violence, peer relationships, minority family dynamics and community involvement amongst youth. Through creative dance class and community performances the program will address teen health and physical fitness issues as well. Teen Harvest is a community initiative project that will incorporate academic tutorials and performing arts in an effort to promote positive alternatives and healthy lifestyles not otherwise readily available to minority youth groups in the metropolitan area. I would like to incorporate a diversely effective artistic guidance programs with therapeutic activities after school in an effort to promote unity, confidence and outstanding potential in today’s youth. This program is unique because it will include minority youth who have overcome great odds to rise above adversity. The primary purpose of Teen Harvest is to educate children on important issues that are common amongst minority youth groups and that we believe are not incorporated into most public school curriculums these issues include: social skills, gang violence ,peer relationships, minority family dynamics and community involvement, in addition to providing wise council our program will also create a safe social atmosphere in which youth of diverse cultures can interact on a personal level, exchange ideas, develop bonds and long lasting relationships that will ultimately bridge cultural gaps most common in the metropolitan area specifically in the Metropolitan area. The objectives for Teen Harvest are to 1. Develop a before and after school program that assist student in grades 8- 10 residing in Montgomery County Maryland 2. Assist student with the development of life survival skills 3. Present student with academic reinforcement options pertaining to key subject areas that include: performing arts, social development, reading, math and science. 4. Expose students to alternate forms of expressions such as creative writing and creative movement. The quantitative goal is to provide a service for approximately 25 students. The program will be conducted five days a week evenings after school with some weekend rehearsals to be announced. Students will be broken into groups based on four categories grade level, personal interest, academic need and social development. Site will be open year round with all-day services provided during summer months. Students will be given breakfast and after school snack. At the conclusion of the program students will be awarded certificates of completion. Each week students will have the opportunity to participate in: • Dance Classes-(2 hr. per day) Students will learn basic dance techniques that incorporate physical movement with creative expression. • Theater and Band Practice-(2 hr per week) as a dance alternative Students will learn basic percussion rhythms beats, stage presence and theater production skills. • Community Performances i.e. plays and musicals- (16 hr. per year) students will give back to community 4x a year through creation and formation of mini productions to display skills, training and technique acquired throughout the program. • Life Coaching-(2 hr. per week) Student and assigned mentor will discuss problems and accomplishments within the youth’s life. After developing a bond coach will instruct child in regards to future career decisions, social issues and current performance. • Career Tracks-(twice per month) In addition to life coaching student will receive SAT prep, college preparation and alternative trade help and support to consist of resume and cover letter help and mock job interviews. • Academic Tutoring-(1hr.per day) Time devoted to assistance with homework and other academic needs. • Book Club-(3 hr. per month) a book of the month will be issued to students with corresponding written and verbal assignments to be discussed between peer and staff. • Parent- plus Night- (Once per month) inform parents of current events in the organization as well as the community, provide information and progress reports on students.