Sculpting minds of the future

The Youth Enrichment Service mentor program on campus pairs college students with students from grades 3 to 12

In working toward the goals of raising graduation rates, increasing students’ grades and ensuring that students be promoted from grade to grade on time, the Youth Enrichment Services of Baldwin County provides academic and enrichment programming for students grades three through 12 after school during the academic year.

In the academic division of the program, paid college students tutor children and assist them with their homework in critical subjects such as math, language arts, reading and science.

“The YES program is the biggest asset the Milledgeville community has. It is one of the only programs that has gained respect across all boundaries, black or white, young or old,” Georgia College alumna and YES tutor Brittany Curry said. “This program enhanced my experience at Georgia College so much.”

Enrichment classes are also offered for the children in the areas of music, art, theater, drumming, violin, technology and physical education, among others.

Paid GC students teach these comprehensive lessons as well. Volunteers and service learning students are always wanted and welcome to assist with the program.

“The YES program offers not just tutoring but mentorship and friendship from people that care. This program motivates them to stay in school and pursue a bright future,” Georgia College alumna and YES tutor Sara Wood said. “Everyday when I come in the door, I have a mob of kids yelling my name trying to hug me. I really think this program shows the students the love they need.”

There is an academic enrichment portion of the YES program as well, focusing on problem solving and critical thinking skills. Public Achievement, a rhetoric and political science class at GC, sends student coaches into the schools to teach this facet of the program. The Community Action Team for Service also assists with the academic enrichment lessons as well.

“They are being taught the tools they need to become an effective student,” Linda Kaufman director of after-school achievement said.

Kaufman gave an example of a

previous instance where students were asked about important problems they saw in their school. Unanimously, the students agreed that the after-school snacks were unhealthy and needed to be changed. With the help of the YES Program coaches, the children found a smoothie product called Juice Alive that they wanted to use as a substitute.

One year later, after presenting the idea to several leaders, such as board members, principals and superintendents, the students are now able to enjoy Juice Alive fruit smoothies at least two times a week.

“They saw the problem, found a solution and made a difference,” Kaufman said. “Now, because of these ambitious students, there is a policy change about an important issue in their school.”

The YES program was built off of its sister program, High Achievers, five years ago. The High Achievers Program was established in 2002 with the initial goal of curbing teen pregnancy.

Now, the HAP serves 144 students with the focus of developing leadership skills. College volunteers or service learning students lead the children in activities that boost their self-esteem and prepare them for leadership positions in all aspects of life.

The HAP also provides free camps during spring break and summer break for elementary school students.

In 2002, Kaufman wrote a grant for the HAP that eventually awarded the program with $1.25 million. In 2007, she wrote another grant for $4 million.

Over the nine years that the High Achiever and YES programs have been thriving at GC, Kaufman has written several grants and has been awarded $10.4 million in funding from the U.S. Department of Education.

She is currently working on four new grant applications.

At the moment, there is a long wait list for children who wish to take part in the incredibly successful YES and HAP programs.

“I am very proud of these programs. We have seen lasting academic and social changes in these students,” Kaufman said. “The partnership between the Baldwin County schools and Georgia College is very strong. I believe that Georgia College is a good steward to the community.”

Posted by Kate Federman on Nov 17 2011. Filed under News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.