WAMU 88.5: Community Minute

88.3 Ocean City: Lodging For Military Families at Dover Air Force Base

webservices@wamu.org — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 16:53:02 -0500

When a member of the military is killed or dies overseas, their families often travel from throughout the United States to Dover Air Force Base in Delaware to await the return of their fallen loved ones. Fisher House for Families of the Fallen offers lodging for military families gathered at the base to witness dignified transfers.

Fisher House for Families of the Fallen honors the lives of U.S. servicemembers who have died in military action by providing a home away from home for their families at Dover Air Force Base, Del. The facility offers private suites, shared cooking and dining areas, and additional amenities to provide all the comforts of home at no-cost to bereaved families. The property also includes a meditation pavilion, a quiet place for families to gather, pray and reflect during their stay. Fisher House for Families of the Fallen staff connect guests with service liaisons, chaplains, mental health specialists and other professionals who provide additional support to families during their difficult time.

For more information, contact:
Fisher House for Families of the Fallen
116 Purple Heart Dr.
Dover AFB, DE 19902
302.677.5317
dover.fisherhouse@us.af.mil

Community Minute: Technology-driven Education For Youth and Adults in the District

webservices@wamu.org — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 14:55:44 -0500

While unemployment in the District remains lower than the national average, many unemployed residents lack the education and training necessary to obtain available jobs. In an effort to equip residents for the workforce, Urban Ed provides children, youth, and adults in the District of Columbia with technology-driven education, information and skill development.

Urban Ed uses technology as a vehicle for helping adults acquire marketable workplace skills in the area of information technology, and to help children improve in key academic subjects. The IT Help Desk Apprenticeship offers unemployed and underemployed individuals an opportunity to receive training as a computer technician and pursue IT certifications in preparation for employment at a computer help desk or call center. The apprenticeship includes live instructor training, on-the-job training, e-learning, and remedial support to ensure a successful job placement. Urban Ed also operates the TechnoAcademy, an out-of-school time enrichment program which teaches teens business and technical skills; and the Lilbitties TechnoCamp for children ages 5 and 6 during the summer months.

For more information, contact:
Urban Ed, Inc.
2041 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave., SE
Suite M-2
Washington, DC 20020
202.610.2344
info@UrbanEd.org

Community Minute: Promoting Academic Excellence Through Out-of-School Time Enrichment

webservices@wamu.org — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 14:42:52 -0500

Higher Achievement DC Metro works with local students to encourage high-level academic achievement through out-of-school time programs.

Higher Achievement DC Metro provides rigorous year-round programs to close the opportunity gap for middle school youth in at-risk communities. The program serves more than 500 students in five achievement centers in the District and one in Alexandria, Va. From 5th through 8th grade, participants stay with the program, which combines demanding academic work with mentoring, skill-building, individual student achievement plans, and personal encouragement. The Afterschool Academy includes supervised study hall, small-group instruction in core subjects, along with seminars, electives, field trips and community service projects. Students in Higher Achievement’s six-week Summer Academy complete coursework in core subjects and elective topics, and take a three-day trip to a college. Higher Achievement’s program culminates with high school placement services, which help students advance to top-performing high schools. Students receive help identifying schools that fit their needs, preparation for placement tests and interviews, application assistance and financial aid resources. 93 percent of program graduates advance to college.

For more information, contact:
Higher Achievement – DC Metro
317 8th Street, NE
Washington, DC 20002
202.544-3633
info@higherachievement.org

This WAMU 88.5 Community Minute is part of WAMU's American Graduate series. "American Graduate: Let’s Make It Happen" a public media initiative supported by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting to help local communities across America address the dropout crisis.

88.3 Ocean City: Helping individuals with disabilities gain skills to be independent

webservices@wamu.org — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 17:32:04 -0500

Even in times of economic prosperity, people with disabilities may find it difficult to attain gainful employment. One organization in Salisbury, Md., helps individuals with disabilities gain the skills they need to be independent and successful in work and home life.

Dove Pointe offers a variety of services for persons with disabilities depending on their age, need and ability. For children with disabilities, Dove Pointe offers respite care, family training, day-care services, and therapeutic behavioral services to minimize maladaptive behaviors. The organization offers financial assistance to families of eligible children to be used to make physical adaptations to their home, to promote the health, welfare and safety of the child. As young individuals with disabilities transition from work to school, Dove Pointe offers an employment development service, in which students take part in a 16-week training class to prepare them for the work experience. For adults, Dove point provides vocational services and residential programs that aim to cultivate necessary skills to attain independence. Dove Pointe also provides a Traumatic Brain Injury program, which provides individuals with assistance toward regaining independent living skills, obtaining employment and creating a support structure. M.O.V.E (Mobility Opportunities via Experience) is another program offered by Dove Pointe, which helps individuals practice mobility skills including sitting, standing, walking and transferring.

*Statistic from the American Association of People with Disabilities.

For more information, contact:
Dove Pointe
1225 Mt. Hermon Road
Salisbury, MD 21804
410.341.4472
info@dovepointe.com

Community Minute: Out-of-school Time Programming For Students In Ward 6

webservices@wamu.org — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 17:18:29 -0500

Out-of-school-time programs can have a positive impact on the academic performance and social behavior of at-risk students.* Jan’s Tutoring House operates an after-school program for students in Ward 6 to promote their educational success.

For students in 1st through 12th grades, Jan's Tutoring House (JTH) provides Monday through Thursday after-school programming throughout the school year, giving the students a quiet work environment, which includes a computer lab, a library, and educational games. JTH supplements the after-school programming with a weekly one-on-one tutoring session with a volunteer tutor/mentor. Students also receive an evening meal prior to tutoring. For students in need, JTH provides financial assistance for school uniforms, school supplies, eyeglasses, transportation and other items. Additionally, JTH offers a summer camp focused on reading, math and IT skills and includes cultural and recreational programming. The organization also guides high school program participants through the college selection and admissions process, and offers assistance with books and travel expenses throughout their post-secondary education experience.

*National Dropout Prevention Center/Network

For more information, contact:
Jan’s Tutoring House
1529 Pennsylvania Ave, SE
Washington, DC 20003
202.547.1345
twoods@janstutoringhouse.org

This WAMU 88.5 Community Minute is part of WAMU's American Graduate series. "American Graduate: Let’s Make It Happen" a public media initiative supported by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting to help local communities across America address the dropout crisis.

Support and resources for individuals with mental illness in Maryland

webservices@wamu.org — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 11:45:44 -0500

Mental illnesses are chronic medical conditions that disrupt a person’s thinking, feeling, mood, ability to relate to others, and daily functioning. For the vast majority of people with mental illness, they are, or can be, productive members of society if they receive the treatment they need and actively participate in an individual treatment plan.

National Alliance on Mental Illness Montgomery County (NAMI MC) is a non-profit grassroots organization dedicated to improving the lives of those impacted by mental illnesses in Montgomery County, Md., by providing self-help resources, support, education and advocacy. NAMI MC offers support groups for consumers dealing with various mental illnesses, such as schizophrenia, depression, bipolar disorder, and veterans with PTSD. The organization also offers groups for families and parents of individuals with mental illness. NAMI MC also offers a variety of free courses to educate caregivers, consumers, and other community members while providing resources and peer-support. Programs are offered for free in both English and Spanish.

For more information, contact:

NAMI Montgomery County
11718 Parklawn DRive
Rockville, MD 20852
301-949-5852
namioffice@namimc.org

Courses for adults in Virginia looking to enhance computer skills

webservices@wamu.org — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 15:44:58 -0500

It is increasingly relevant that all potential employees are computer literate as many employers require members of their workforce to utilize computer skills. Computer CORE is providing an opportunity to low-income Northern Virginian residents to achieve computer literacy.

Computer CORE., a nonprofit organization with locations in Alexandria, Fairfax, Falls Church and Herndon is working to promote computer literacy in low-income adults to help them achieve career aspirations and self-sufficiency. Computer CORE also partners with Northern Virginia Community College, so students have the opportunity to enroll in college, receive financial aid and earn 7 college credits for their work at CORE. Computer CORE offers a six-month training course to help students learn computer basics such as: keyboarding; working with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint; using email and the Internet. Volunteer instructors advise and mentor students, identifying existing skills, nurturing interests and working on resumes, cover letters, and job search strategies. After two months, students receive a free computer to practice their skills at home and share them with family members.

For more information, contact:
Computer CORE
3846 King Street
Alexandria, VA 22302
Phone: 703.931.7346

88.3 Ocean City: Case management services, education, and advocacy for individuals living with HIV/AIDS in Delaware

webservices@wamu.org — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 15:39:02 -0500

Currently, more than 3,000 residents of Delaware are living with HIV/AIDS*. AIDS Delaware, a local nonprofit organization, is working to provide those affected by HIV/AIDS with the support they need, and to educate the community at-large.

The mission of AIDS Delaware is to support those with HIV/AIDS in Delaware and to prevent the spread of HIV through comprehensive services, education and advocacy. In addition to confidential HIV testing, AIDS Delaware offers case management and counseling services for individuals living with HIV or AIDS. Clients receive drug/alcohol treatment, food pantries and personal product closets, help with insurance needs and referrals for other support groups. For youth, AIDS Delaware offers Project PACT (Peers Achieving Change Together), which allows ages 12-19 use dance, rap, poetry, and theater to bring a message of HIV/AIDS education to students and youth at local schools and community centers. The You’re Not Alone (YNA) support group provides a space for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth to talk about all aspects of their lives with peers and experienced counselors. AIDS Delaware also offers HIV/AIDS education and outreach programs tailored to the needs of individual schools, houses of worship, businesses, and organizations.

For more information, contact:
AIDS Delaware
37201 Rehoboth Ave., Unit 1
Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971
302.236.9884
contact@aidsdelaware.org

*Statistic from Delaware HIV Consortium

Community Minute: Empowering District Students To Stay In School And Prepare For The Future

webservices@wamu.org — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 15:27:22 -0500

Every day, approximately 7,000 students, nationwide, drop out of high school*. Communities in Schools (CIS) of the Nation’s Capital works to foster a community of support to empower students in the District to stay in school and prepare for life.

Communities In Schools of the Nation’s Capital (CIS of the Nation’s Capital) partners with the District of Columbia Public Schools to provide whole school, targeted and case managed services to more than 2,300 pre-kindergarten through 12th grade students attending schools in Wards 1, 5 and 8. CIS of the Nation’s Capital provides wraparound services and resources for students in efforts to boost graduation and attendance rates, and improve student behavior. Services include homework help for students, one-on-one literacy tutoring, mentoring, cultural field trips, arts workshops, weekend and summer programs. The organization also provides individual and group counseling and parent engagement workshops.

For more information, contact:
Communities in Schools of the Nation’s Capital
3121 South St. NW
Washington DC, 20007
202.333.2277

*Statistic from the Alliance for Excellent Education

This Community Minute is part of American Graduate on WAMU 88.5. "American Graduate: Let’s Make It Happen," a public media initiative supported by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting to help local communities across America address the dropout crisis.

88.3 Ocean City: Ensuring a healthy start for children at risk

webservices@wamu.org — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 12:14:43 -0400

Research from the National Institute of Food and Agriculture shows that children growing up in families facing economic stress are at substantial risk for poor health, academic underachievement, and neglect.* One organization is working to combat this issue by focusing on basic needs and educational development of young children in the Rehoboth Beach area.

The mission of Kody’s Kids Inc. is to improve the lives of at-risk children by providing them with essential material items and basic educational skills for a healthy and productive start in life. Kody’s Kids Inc. fulfills its method using two models: Kody O’Bear’s Early Learning Program and the Kody Care Basket Program. Kody O’Bear’s Early Learning Program promotes the education of at- risk children (ages 3-5) by introducing retired teachers to pre-schools and Head Start programs. Retired teachers facilitate programs on letter and word recognition, nutrition, and storytelling. The Kody Care Basket Program provides newborns of parents that are affected by financial emergency, homelessness, or natural disaster with care packages to ensure a healthy start. Since its inception in 2001, the organization has served more than 2,100 children.

For more information, contact:
Kody’s Kids, Inc.
20200 Coastal Hwy. Suite 196-A
Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971
302.226.5523
info@kodyskids.org

*National Institue of Food and Agriculture