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III. BACKGROUND/CAPACITY OF THE ORGANIZATION
<br /> a) Describe your organization's overall mission, goals and objectives; organizational structure; current programs; activities and
<br /> accomplishments.
<br /> b) Please discuss your long-term plans regarding board development, staff capacity and funding.
<br /> c) Please describe the diversity of your staff, board and volunteers as it relates to the clients you serve.
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<br />Please answer section III, questions a-c in the space provided on this page.
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<br />4-H SOS Goldminers first opened at J.N. Fries Middle School, added Mt. Pleasant Middle School, and then Concord Middle
<br />School to provide a safe, nurturing, and enriching environment for youth from school dismissal until 6:00 p.m. Academic and
<br />social development activities including one hour of "Homework Help" are offered Monday through Thursday. Enrichment
<br />activities include the arts, culture, logical thinking and computer skill development. "Fun Fridays" provide opportunities for
<br />community service, recreation and field trips to take advantage of and to learn about community resources. The program is
<br />based on the Seven Developmental Needs of Young Adolescents, concentrating on the needs of physical activity, self-
<br />del'tuition, positive social interaction with peers and adults and meaningful participation. The intent is to provide guidance
<br />and support of this often overlooked age group who are at a time in their lives when they are subject to intense peer pressure,
<br />parental expectations, confusing health issues, intensified school work, as well as developing adolescent issues.
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<br />Daily contact is made with parents or guardians to give the opportunity to assess activities of the day and to provide support
<br />to the family. Staff members serve as a liaison between the school, the child and the family. Opportunities for the entire
<br />family to interact with program members are promoted by Family Fun Nights. Students plan, prepare and host the highly
<br />successful theme-based evenings.
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<br />During the 2002-2003 school year, the total enrollment of 4-H SOS Goldminers is 70 with an average daily attendance of 37.
<br />Some students participate daily, while others come on a drop-in basis. The fee for aftersehool is $25 per week and $6 per day.
<br />Full and partial scholarships are readily available. The percentage of students receiving scholarships at Concord Middle
<br />School was 38% and at MPMS was 25%. These were full scholarships or those with parents contributing $5-10 per week.
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<br />Cabarrus Cooperative Extension initiated the request for Support Our Students grant to begin the afterschool program with
<br />the cooperation of the Cabarrus County Schools. Each of the three sites plan their curriculum, activities and time
<br />management based upon the needs and interests of their students and the expertise of staff members. The board, which meets
<br />quarterly, invites guidance counselors and school administrators to attend to give further insight and suggestions that guide
<br />the operation of the program.
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<br />The curriculum includes "Hooked on Health" presented by the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program which
<br />addresses appealing ways to induce youth to make healthy choices. The Boy Scouts "Learning for Life" curriculum is used
<br />which is designed to help students successfully handle the complexities of contemporary society and to enhance their self-
<br />confidence, motivation, and self-esteem. This supplements the 4-H "Career Awareness" curriculum. Staff members received
<br />a five hour training session to enable them to lead students in games and activities that stress team building, cooperation, and
<br />responsibility. This past year has been remarkably successful in influencing attitudes and behaviors of students, in large part,
<br />due to the enthusiastic, creative, and professional staff. "Time for Kids" and "Sports Illustrated for Kids" is supplied by
<br />AOL/Time Warner for use with the "Time To Read" literacy improvement curriculum.
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<br />Service learning projects have included making tray favors for "Meals on Wheels", decorating two Christmas trees with
<br />handmade ornaments for the Eastern Cabarms Historical Museum, teacher and staff recognition favors, school bulletin
<br />boards, campus clean-up, canned food drive, "Treats for Troops", goodie bags for CVAN, and peer tutoring.
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<br />At the April 2003 Advisory Board meeting, plans for expanding and diversifying the board will be implemented. Individuals
<br />from the business community, the Health Department and the Department of Social Services will be recruited. With guidance
<br />fi'om the expanded board, one aim is to access a wider variety of funding sources to help ensure sustainability of the program.
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<br />Staff members are carefully screened with references to ability, experience and character. At present, the Board has worked
<br />as a successful guide because the predominant number are affiliated with the school system. Volunteers who serve as
<br />speakers, tutors, and activity leaders are recruited from governmental agencies, community businesses, high school service
<br />and academic clubs. All those selected are chosen with reference to the children, their group make-up, their needs and
<br />interests.
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