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An
Empowering “Thank You!” to the Community
GREENVILLE – Although the school year is not quite half over, the end
of the calendar year completes the third year of operation for
Empowering Darke County Youth (EDCY). The Empowering Board, its
volunteers, its tutors – and especially its kids – would like to thank
everyone that has stepped forward and helped EDCY help children succeed.
Edison State Community College, Darke County Campus, opened its doors
to Empowering students for the first After School Program (ASP) in the
fall of 2016. The college still hosts, along with Greenville Public
Library, the Empowering Summer Tutoring Programs. Edison State provides
administrative support, and its students are the primary source of
volunteers for Empowering programs.
The Greenville City School District saw value in Empowering efforts to
help its students. The ASP moved to the new Elementary & Middle
School Building in the fall of 2017. The move closed a communication
gap between Greenville staff and program tutors. It also opened the
program up to Middle School students.
“Greenville teachers and staff are talented and dedicated,” said Bob
Robinson, Empowering Program Coordinator. “As a substitute teacher,
I’ve seen the efforts they go into to address the different needs of a
wide variety of student learning levels. They have specialists to
support special needs. And they have welcomed and supported Empowering
as an additional educational opportunity for those who need it. It is
truly a team effort and they have made us feel like part of the team. I
can’t thank our teachers and staff enough for what they do… day in and
day out.”
“Greenville City Schools is extremely appreciative of working with the
Empowering Darke County Youth Intervention Program,” said Greenville
Superintendent Doug Fries. “We would like to thank all the parents,
community members, and Edison State students for their willingness to
tutor many of our students in grades K-8 after school at our new
facility.”
Chad Beanblossom, Edison State Vice President Regional Campuses, noted
that the Empowering After School Program provides Edison State students
with valuable volunteer experience. “This partnership is a win-win for
the college and the community in general,” he added.
The Empowering programs could not happen without the financial support
of so many. Empowering has been a United Way Partner since December
2016. Major contributors since 2016 have included Greenville Eagles
2177, Bistro Off Broadway, Lydia Schaurer Memorial Fund, Ketrow
Foundation, Wayne HealthCare Foundation, Harry D. Stephens Memorial,
Darke County Foundation, Tribute Funeral Homes, Dave Knapp Ford
Lincoln, Zechar Bailey Funeral Home, Greenville National Bank, Second
National Bank, Ramco Electric Motors, Rapid Printing, our friends in
the media, Greenville Rotary, Kiwanis of Greenville, Ed Ault CPA,
Lambda Chi Omega Society, First Presbyterian Church, MJS Plastics, Mark
& Cindy Libert, Rolling 50s Car Club, Scott Zumbrink, Al & Lyn
Bliss and more. For a complete list of sponsors and donors, please go
to http://www.countynewsonline.org/empowering2.html.
Fries concurred, noting that the District is equally thankful for the
community businesses and individuals that have provided financial
support to allow the program to exist. “We are happy to partner
with Edison State and the Greenville Public Library to provide
facilities for this intervention,” he added. “A special thank you also
to Mr. Robinson for his coordination and passion for the after school
Empowering Darke County Youth Program.”
Empowering recently wrapped up its fall semester with its Third Annual
Christmas Party for students and caregivers. After 57 days of tutoring,
the program has worked with 129 students, kindergarten through eighth
grade, for nearly 2,500 contact hours. According to parents who have
provided feedback, 90 percent of ASP students have shown improvement
and have a better attitude toward their education. Parents have
reported six students made Merit Roll and three made Honor Roll. Many
for the first time.
Since its inception in March 2016, Empowering has worked 10,143 contact
hours with 458 students from four school districts.
The Empowering Board of Directors, tutors and volunteers – and
Empowering kids and their caregivers – say thank you to all of you for
your support, and wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
The Empowering Mission: Empowering Darke County Youth provides After
School and Summer Tutoring programs to assist students in the areas of
language arts and math with the goal of Strong Students for a Strong
Community.
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