Safe Schools Plan provides a comprehensive assessment of all school facilities to identify strengths and weaknesses in current emergency preparedness/response plans, identify gaps in security/preparedness, and prioritize recommendations for improvements. The plan is then presented to school district administrative groups, Boards of education and interested community groups.
Contact Dr. Rodney Fitzgerald at 423-476-1160 or rfitzgerald@sshsgrant.org
Big City University (BCU) is an "interactive learning experience" hosted by Sonshine Avenue Ministry at North Cleveland Church of God. It provides "themed" learning environments for more than 240 students from the Bradley County School system. BCU has been designed to provide a safe environment and enrich positive learning experiences for children that will help them develop emotionally, socially, cognitively, and physically. Through the Initative funding, BCU now incorporates the latest computer software, SuccessMaker, to provide elementary students alternative learning methods to improve their standardized test scores. Through the use of fun, entertaining interactive play and hands-on experiments, children can relate, and remember and respond to the lessons they "experience."
Contact Machelle Johnson or Keith McManus at 423-476-5513 or keith@sonshineavenue.com
The Boys and Girls Club, through its programs and services, seeks to inspire and enable all young people, especially at-risk students from disadvantaged circumstances, to realize their full potential as productive, responsible, and caring citizens
Through Initiative funding, the clubs after-school program has increased its enrollment to approximately 250 students and has incorporated Power Hours (homework help), Smart Moves (alcohol, tobacco, and other drug resistance and HIV/AIDS prevention), and Second Step (violence prevention.)
Contact Charles Sutton at 423-559-8299 or http://www.bgca.org/
The Bradley Initiative for Church and Community, Inc. (BICC) is a grassroots Christian community organization whose mission it to unite local churches and community/civic organizations in an effort to address the root/systemic causes of the social, economic, and cultural issues in Cleveland/Bradley County. Many local churches and community/civic groups have worked together across denominational, race, and socioeconomic barriers to affect long term, positive changes in our community.
Through the safe Schools/Healthy Students Initiative, a Faith-Based Community Coordinator has been added to the BICC staff to develop the "Youth Initiative," a program in which area churches can coordinate solutions to problems such as racism, high school drop-out rates, substance abuse, and violence.
Contact Rev. Desmond Wellington at 423-559-1112 or dwellington@bellsouth.net
Future (Fun at Unity Totally United Reaching for Excellence), a Christian after school program, for students grade 1-6, provides help and encouragement for students to succeed in school and prepare for life. Regular classes are offered that focus on the development of life skills such as cooking and health. Enrichment experiences in the arts and other forms of self expression are also an integral part of the program. Located at the Unity Center on Benton Pike, FUTURE uses community volunteer tutors to meet with students Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday afternoons.
Initiative funding has allowed for increased student enrollment. Homework and reading skills are part of the daily routine, and a computer lab is available. Middle and high school students are trained to become leaders in program. Parent involvement and family intervention are important aspects of the overall program. Website www.bsumc.org.
Contact Kim Bounds at 423-478-1661 0r unityctr@bellsouth.net
Helping Paws, a new program funded through the Initiative, focuses on teaching children social skills, character education, anger management, and decision-making skills through the use of two certified therapy dogs, Daryl and Larry. The program is offered to students in local elementary schools, Head Start classes, and after school programs. The program seeks to build support, empowerment, boundaries and expectations, constructive use of time, commitment to learning, positive values, social competencies, and positive identity.
Contact Amy Hicks at 423-595-5698 or helping helpingpaws@bellsouth.net
Y-CAP is an intense early intervention program for students 10-14 referred by parents, schools, social workers, SS/HS Behavioral Specialist, or the Juvenile Court. It's purpose is to turn self destructive behavior into positive, healthy activities. A personalized treatment plan is created for students and families that addresses their spiritual, physical, mental and social needs. Y-CAP offers Life Skills and Second Step to help build self esteem so that participants make responsible, healthy choices for the future.
Contact Joe Smith at 423-265-8835 or
jobox2win@aol.com
The YMCA Leaders Club Programs, based on the YMCA national model that has existed for over 100 years, incorporates service projects to teach the value of Servant Leadership to Teen Learning Center students in order to build future community leaders.
Participating students learn, among other life skills, the importance of higher education, service to others, having healthy and productive world view, and knowing the requirements neccessary to obtain a good job in the area.
Contact Rodney Murray at 423-476-5573 or
rmurray@ymcachattanooga.org