|
|
 |
|
Edison
student Jim Kildow works with three students on
their reading skills. As the spring semester
wraps up, less homework
allows for more time on the basics.
|
|
Edison students note
value of Empowering After School Program
“Empowering Darke County Youth is an incredibly valuable program that
is bettering this county one child at a time,” said Edison spring
communications student Allie Davidson. Davidson, who worked nearly 50
hours in the program, is one of 23 Edison State Darke County spring
students who volunteered in Empowering Darke County Youth’s After
School Program.
Edison State students, Darke County Campus, have continued their
service to the community through volunteer efforts with Empowering’s
academic support program. Working with students from kindergarten
through sixth grade, many of whom are struggling academically, has been
an eye-opening experience for the majority of them. They learned that
while they were there to help with academics, there was sometimes more
to it than that…
Clint Morgan said on his first day volunteering he was scared out of
his mind. “I had no idea what to do,” he said, but knew within 10
minutes he was doing the right thing. “Sitting down and talking to
these kids was amazing … some pulled on my heart on the first day.” He
helped them get their “stuff” done, then joined in their play. “They
just wanted attention,” Morgan added.
Faith Wilker volunteered in the fall, again in the spring, noting she
has grown considerably from the experience. “The After School Program
has led me to become an individual and has helped me learn more about
myself,” she added.
Hannah Meyers worked 48 hours in the program this spring, noting her
work helped her to realize how important it was to be involved in the
community. “Empowering gives these kids a chance to reach their full
potential,” she said. “It is a very valuable program to the students,
and to the community.”
Like Wilker and Meyers, Jim Kildow and Cydney Adams have worked with
the children from the beginning of the program in September. Kildow has
accumulated 195 hours; Adams 161.
“The program to me feels absolutely critical,” Kildow said last fall.
“I know we have made a difference in the lives of these kids… I’ve
always wanted to make a difference in the world,” he added. “Finally, I
am.”
During the fall semester, 44 Edison students spent 1,000 hours working
with students from the Empowering After School Program. During the
spring, 23 Edison students worked 649 hours with the children. This
summer, it is anticipated that, once again, Edison students will be
helping out with Empowering’s new Summer Reading Program.
“I am extremely proud of the Edison State students who have volunteered
their time to work with these kids,” Edison Darke County Dean Chad
Beanblossom said. “The amount of service learning hours accumulated by
our students is outstanding, and I look forward to the continued growth
in service to our community.”
The Edison student population is invaluable to the program, but so is
the community’s adult population. Empowering Darke County Youth is in
need of adult volunteers who can give one or two hours a week to the
children who are the future of the community. Interested adults should
contact Edison State, Darke County Campus, at 937-548-5546. Discover
what 67 Edison students have discovered… it’s a good feeling; good for
the child, good for the community, and according to one student, good
for the soul.
The 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.”
|
|
|
|
