After School Program at Justo Sierra School

Location:
Tuesday, October 28th, 2008

Details:

FEMAP believes every child deserves to be safe, discover hidden talents and given every opportunity possible to achieve their full potential. In the United Sates, children can count on after-school programs that provide a safe harbor, a nutritious snack, sports and camaraderie. In Mexico, those opportunities are rare. As a response to the need, SADEC / FEMAP developed and implemented an after school program at Justo Sierra School in Colonia Felipe Angeles as a pilot project. After almost a year, program coordinators are seeing an increase in reading skills as a result of the tutoring and reading recovery activities. “The program started during the school year in August 2007 with funding form the Foundation Empresario Chihuahuense and the FEMAP Foundation,” says Maru Parra, program coordinator.

“Our goal is to be a support for families where both parents work and their children spend a lot of time alone at home.” The program is expected to impact the studies of children since tutoring and reading recovery is provided. Good nutrition enables the children to increase their strength, concentration and attention at school and sets the foundation for a healthy and productive future.

Colonia Felipe Angeles was chosen for the pilot study because this community has the highest economic and social risk in Cd. Juarez and there was an existing after-school program that helped ease the implementation of this project.

After school activities include:
Assistance with homework
Reading classes
Workshops on the following:
Music where youth learn to play the flute, guitar or sing
Dance
Arts and crafts

Research shows that children and youth who regularly attend high-quality after-school programs have better grades and conduct in school; more academic and enrichment opportunities; better peer relations and emotional adjustment and lower incidences of drug-use, violence and pregnancy. (U.S. Department of Education. 21st Century Community Learning Centers: Providing Quality After-school Learning Opportunities for America's Families, September 200