About a dozen groups that provide afterschool programs for Cape Girardeau youths are pooling information to coordinate their services.
Tom Davisson, executive director of the Community Caring Council, brought together school, private and church organizations because he wanted to see what activities were available for school-aged children who might otherwise be left home alone.
By sharing information, the groups also can determine if service gaps exist, he said.
"We felt if people knew of other programs and could meet face to face, there might be some opportunities for joint programs or joint funding," Davisson said. "It seemed like a good opportunity to get all of these folks together to see common denominators we had, and also to see what kids are being missed."
Afterschool programs are sponsored nearly every day of the week, normally from about 3 p.m. until early evening, when parents generally get home from work.
The timing of the programs is important. Missouri juvenile justice officials said that the period from mid-afternoon to early evening is when many youths are left unsupervised and are more likely to be delinquent.
Most often, the crimes are against property, although the number of juvenile offenses involving crimes against people are on the rise.
"School-aged children need to be supervised, they need a safe place to be," said Jo Boyer, who provides technical assistance to afterschool programs in the region through a grant operated by Southeast Missouri State University.
"This gives them an alternative to staying at home and doing nothing or going out and getting into trouble."
Boyer said the most successful programs don't try to duplicate school-day regimens. Instead, they develop activities that provide recreational, academic and social activities in a setting that makes youths feel comfortable.
"They can be successful just by doing some of those things that enhances what they've learned in school and making sure it's developmentally relevant," she said. "It should not be a duplication, because even if they are having trouble in math, doing the same thing they've done all day probably is not going to help them."
A program smorgasbord
Davisson said many people are unaware of the variety of afterschool programs offered in the city.
Many of the private and school-related programs focus at least in part on tutorial services and rely heavily on adult volunteers to supervise activities.
Some programs sponsored by Caring Communities include transportation for students, which organizers said can be a critical component to a program's success.
Caring Communities is an interagency organization that works within the school setting to provide social workers, counseling and other services families may need to help student achievement;
The group sponsors recreational and social programs at Blanchard, Clippard, Franklin and Jefferson elementary schools, Louis J. Schultz and Central Junior High.
"Transportation is always a big issue, but people are getting to programs for what they need, as far as we can tell," said Davisson. "What we don't know is who we're missing because they can't get to or from a program."
Sharland Reed, executive director of the Family Resource Center, said problems with transportation are part of the reason the city needs many different programming outlets for youths.
Reed said she started afterschool programming soon after opening her doors at 1000 S. Sprigg last year "because the kids started showing up every day."
As many as 30 children come to the center daily to use computers, play and work on social skills, or just eat and snack and have a cool drink of water, she said.
The Civic Center Boys and Girls Club has provided recreational and social activities for youths since 1959. The center received a charter from the national Boys and Girls Clubs of America organization in December and has been restructuring its activities to follow national models.
The center provides extended programming hours and multiple activities so youths can choose when they participate.
Harry Schuler, chief professional officer of the center, said one focus of the national organization is to provide youths a safe place to call their own.
"We've seen proven research that Boys and Girls Clubs' programming makes a difference for youth," he said. "It's very important that they feel ownership in the building, the activities -- even the rules that govern their behavior while they're here."
Sharing money and space
Many of the local afterschool programs operate using state and federal grant funding. Davisson said cutbacks in grant opportunities are on the horizon, and it's important that consortium members pool their resources and collaborate when possible.
In addition, more collaboration could mean better use of volunteers and improved delivery of services to larger numbers of youth, he said.
"What we need to do is look at providing similar programs in more spaces," Davisson said. "I think there will be a wonderful outcome if we can share our resources and make our programs more effective."
THINGS TO DO AFTER SCHOOL
The following organizations offer afterschool programming for Cape Girardeau youth. All of the organizations work with children of varying abilities and welcome assistance from volunteers. Several child care agencies also provide afterschool care for school-aged children.
Big Brothers Big Sisters
Ellen Talley, 339-0184
Mentoring organization for youth. Currently working at Blanchard and Jefferson schools, still in planning stages. Will offer structured activities and tutoring for youth ages 6-17.
Caring Communities
Chrissy Warren, 651-3747
Sites at Blanchard, Clippard, Franklin, Jefferson, Schultz and Central Junior High. Several programs, such as Boys Club, Girls Club, co-sponsor of the Blanchard Jump Rope Team, Families and Schools Together (FAST), tutoring programs and other activities which differ at each site.
Civic Center Boys and Girls Club, 232 Broadway
Harry Schuler, 335-7141
Offers a variety of activities for different age groups. Several clubs focusing on prevention issues and community service needs and programs. Daily tutorial service provided with volunteers from Southeast Missouri State University College of Education. Library branch supplied by Cape Public Library is open daily. Reading and tutoring programs are mandatory to maintain eligibility on athletic teams.
Family Resource Center, 1000 S. Sprigg
Sharland Reed, 334-8170
Provides supervised space where youth can have regular access to computers and other activities. Trying to organize a basketball team to interest older teens.
Girl Scouts, 1432 Kurre Lane
Karen Redfern, 334-7741
Providing afterschool programs at four elementary schools and Schultz school. Variety of programs including literacy, education, conflict resolution, family relationships, career exploration. Grades K-7. First and third Tuesday, 2:40-3:40 p.m.
House of Hope, 1000 Ranney
Blake Tiemann, 335-4858
New program at old May Greene School in conjunction with Assembly of God Church and Teen Challenge. Activities include sports, computer access, tutoring for grades 3-12. Registration and parental consent are required. Available 2:45-5 p.m. Tuesdays.
Missouri Mentoring Partnership, 760 S. Kingshighway
Marge Sullivan, 334-0990, ext. 24
Primarily focuses on work-related activities for high school students. Provide assistance in finding jobs and employment support services.
Salvation Army, 701 Good Hope
Major Bob Gauthier, 335-7000
Developing an afterschool, grant-funded program in conjunction with the Civic Center Boys and Girls Club and the Family Resource Center.
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