Value of Neighborhood Centers
After school programs are proven to lower juvenile crime rates and generally improve neighborhoods and not just by keeping youth occupied for a few hours everyday. After school programs help young people succeed by providing academic support and the chance to form meaningful relationships with adults from their community, and by encouraging them to get involved in their neighborhood through service projects. This support, these relationships and the benefits to the community create a mutually beneficial relationship of immeasurable value.
Fast Facts:
- Parents of more than 28 million school-age children work outside the home. As many as 15 million “latchkey children” go to an empty house on any given afternoon. (Source: U.S. Department of Labor; U.S. Census Bureau)
- The hours between 3-6 p.m. on school days (referred to by law enforcement officials as a “danger zone”) are the prime time periods when juvenile crimes occur, kids become victims of violent crime, children are involved in accidents, youth experimentation with tobacco, drugs, and/or alcohol occur, and/or risky, sexual experimentation occurs. (Source: Bureau, Urban Institute Estimate, 2000; Fight Crime: Invest in Kids, 2002)
a. The odds are high that with nothing positive to do and nowhere to go, kids will most likely find things to do that negatively influence their development and futures.
b. Working parents report that 3 -6 p.m. is the time of day when they most worry about their children’s safety.
What Neighborhood Centers Offers:
This year, the Neighborhood Centers program turned 13! Over the last year the program has seen a 20% increase in participation and has expanded to four after-school and evening facilities, serving approximately 250 of Norman’s elementary, middle, and high school students (ages 4-17) each week during out-of-school time.
Neighborhood Centers also offers a Summer Youth Enrichment program that offers fun learning activities with a focus on arts enrichment and math and reading retention activities. The Neighborhood Centers program keep kids safe, helps working families and inspires success among youth in the Norman Community.
The following elements are an intentional part of all Neighborhood Centers offerings:
One-on-One Relationships with Caring Adults and Positive Role Models.
A 1:5 or lower student to adult ratio is maintained to build strong relationships between students and staff/volunteers.
Enrichment and Academic Assistance.
All programs include enrichment to support learning. Academic assistance and homework help is also available.
Parental Involvement and Engagement.
NC staff works to build relationships with parents because parental support and education is essential in determining the long-term outcomes of children.
Physical Activity & Healthy Snacks.
Games and activities that encourage children to be physically active are available daily at all program sites and healthy snacks are consistently provided.
Community Service & Engagement.
Participants engage in community service projects, such as volunteering at the Regional Food Bank. NC participants also learn about the broader community through field trips to Braum’s Dairy Farm, National Weather Center, Fred Jones Museum of Art, OU Basketball games, etc.
In Addition to: .
- 15+ years of working with Oklahoma Americorps members who want to make a positive difference in their community through this program
- Program staff receives 50+hrs of continued training in child development fundamentals throughout the course of year. NC Volunteers are also engaged in several training sessions throughout the Fall and Spring programs as well as during the Summer Youth Enrichment Program
- Utilizing the 40 Developmental Assets, which are the fundamental building blocks of healthy development that help young children grow up healthy, caring, and responsible.
For more information, please contact:
Jessica Hutchinson, MS
Senior Program Specialist
405-364-1420
