Learning Centers are
educational spaces within shelters and transitional residences that are equipped with computers, libraries, kid-friendly furniture, and a wide array of education materials. Learning Centers provide a quiet, structured, and visually appealing location where students can complete homework assignments, study, read books, access educational software, and more. Learning Centers also serve as sites for HCEF-funded and other after-school and summer programs designed to complement the children's school experiences. HCEF has created 10 Learning Centers in homeless agencies throughout Allegheny County as well as five Resource Rooms in agencies without sufficient space for a Learning Center.
Mini-Grants and Field Trips
provide homeless providers with funds that may be spent on educational programs, projects, materials and community excursions. Programs and field trips are typically administered by agency staff. Now in its tenth year, the Mini-Grants for Educational Enrichment Program has provided 17 partnering agencies with more than $200,000 in Mini-Grants and field trips.
Gear for Grades
is HCEF's annual backpack distribution in partnership with Citizens Bank. Local Citizens Bank branches solicit donations of school supplies to fill 3,000 backpacks purchased by the company. In August, HCEF staff and volunteers ride on school buses to deliver the stuffed backpacks to partnering homeless housing agencies. This highly successful partnership equips children residing in local homeless provider agencies with the necessary supplies required by the schools and generally not affordable for their mothers. The program is funded by Citizens Bank and other corporate, community, and individuals. The next distribution will be Monday, August 15, 2011.
Building Blocks for Success Afterschool Program
provides comprehensive educational support to children and youth residing in shelters and transitional residences. Building Blocks uses professional tutors as well as volunteers who support children with their homework assignments and work to build their reading skills. HCEF provides volunteers with monthly professional development opportunities that enable them to meet the needs of children experiencing homelessness. HCEF also provides subscriptions to online learning software to assist program staff in assessing student reading levels and to aid one-on-on instruction. During the 2009-2010 school year, 107 students at five sites participated in the program during the period of their residence.
CAPE (Customized Accelerated Programs for Education)
enables children to learn and grow academically, socially, a creatively through hands-on experiences in topics not found in the course of a normal school day. CAPE programs are offered during the summer and during after-school programs. Most programs take the form of a series of 60-90 minute workshops with instructors from local organizations. Popular offerings have included African Art, Drumming, and Dance (Institute for International Arts & Languages - (IIAL), Spanish Language and Dance (IIAL), Hands-on-Science (LabRatz Science Club), Radio Broadcasting (Saturday Light Brigade Radio), and Visual Arts (The Warhol Museum, Society for Contemporary Craft)
Trainings and Learning Center Meetings
are offered throughout the year for our partnering homeless providers on topics of interest to caregivers and child advocates. HCEF provides these professional development opportunities at no cost to the participants. In 2010, HCEF partnered with licensed psychologists to offer trainings in Childhood Anxiety, Grief, and Behavioral Disorders. Quarterly Learning Center Meetings provide HCEF's partnering agencies with an ongoing outlet to share information, engage in group problem solving, and network with local institutions with educational outreach opportunities for children.
We very much appreciate receiving photographs related to the Mini-Grants and Field trips. With your and a parent's permission, we may post these on the HCEF website. See the Agency Photo Permission Form. We especially like to celebrate the children's art work and stories by posting them on the website anonymously or by first name only.
(6/5/11)
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