A Year In Review

In July, we compiled a list of our accomplishments for our fiscal year (July 2006-June 2007) and we wanted to share those with you, our supporters.

• 10 Homework Club students increased their reading ability by at least one grade level. Of those, 3 students increased by two grade levels and 2 increased three grade levels.
• All students enrolled in HW Club completed at least 4 hands-on science projects
• 31 students enrolled in our summer program entitled, “Explore The World”
• Students created a “Recycling Station” in the center after studying about the environment and what they can do to help the Earth
• The center added a third adult English class this year, sponsored by Metro Refugee English Program. Those three classes can serve a total of 45 students at a given time.
• 53 adult English students have participated in English classes this year
• Two of the English classes visited the library and signed up for library cards
• We were able to extend our Lottery for Education Afterschool Programs (LEAP) grant to continue funding our afterschool program and two staff positions
• We were awarded $5000 from the Community Foundation to support staff salaries and allow us to keep our entire staff on through the summer
• An article in the Tennessean about our 10^th anniversary garnered us approximately $2000 in cash donations and approximately $100 worth of items on our Amazon.com wishlist
• 110 volunteers served a total of 902 hours in the 2006 calendar year
• 7 volunteers committed to work one-on-one with a child in reading
• 186 individuals participated in our Night Out Against Crime block party on August 1, 2006
• 50 children and youth enrolled in HW Club received free brand-name shoes through the “Cold Feet, Warm Shoes” program, sponsored by Genesco and David Thornton of the Tennessee Titans
• All computers at the Learning Center were upgraded in memory and operating systems (to Windows XP)

HCA Volunteer Work Day

On Wednesday, September 19th, twenty volunteers from HCA Healthcare came to the center to help us get some work done!

Our hard working crew at the end of a long day!

They worked super hard to install a water fountain, ripping out drywall and running pipes! The kids were so excited to see it when they came in that afternoon!

We also had our community room painted, in addition to two of our elementary classrooms!

Thanks HCA volunteers for a job well done!!

Staff Profile: Kenithia

My name is… Kenithia

My job at the center is… Teacher’s Assistant

Hometown…I was born and raised in Nashville, Tennessee

College Attended/Attending & Major…I am currently attending Tennessee State University where I am majoring in Biology with a teaching certification for grades 7-12.

Favorite Song…My favorite song is “No Weapon”, I don't remember who it is by, but it is an old gospel song.

If I were irresponsible and could max out a credit card at any store, it would be…Target. What, corny? I know but they have really nice things there to wear (for mommies and daughters) and you can get all of your household supplies.

My favorite thing about working at the center is…I am surrounded by beautiful kids from a totally different country. That keeps me on my toes everyday, but they come with the same wit and tricks as our beautiful American kids. Don’t be surprised when one of them charms you out of whatever they need from you. Oh! Let’s not forget my major is in education so I get experience working here.

My least favorite thing about working at the center is… that my job begins in the middle of the day. Nobody likes coming into work in the middle of the day. Good thing my “most favorite” outweighs my “least favorite”.

My favorite anecdote from my time here is…I guess my favorite anecdote would be a time when one of our students was having a really bad day. Actually this child was having a bad week. Instead of sending this student home everyday I sat with her and started talking and asking if anything was wrong. Of course at first she said “no” with lots of attitude. So I kept talking, but about random things just to lighten up the situation. Finally this particular student opened up, I gave my full attention, ears, and shoulder for this child during this emotional time. Shortly after this she would linger around me, I assumed because she felt comfortable to be around me. I felt I had the chance to put a little mind and heart at ease for the time being. Nothing made me feel more happy and special than that moment with that student.

We Recycle!

In April, our youth took a look at the center and made recommendations about how the center could be more Earth-friendly. One of those suggestions was to recycle. So in July, we set up a recycle station in the center! We are currently recycling mixed paper, aluminum, plastics, paperboard, and cardboard. Each week we load up a vehicle with what we have collected and take it to the local convenience center. Not only are our students learning about saving their planet, they are learning about being a good citizen, types of materials, and reducing waste.

To find out about recycling in your neighborhood, log onto Earth 911.