Thank You Education Support Professionals - You All Rock!

Courtesy of Girls of Worth Literacy Club, William Paca ES, and Youth Ambassadors, Parkdale High School

We wish education support professionals everywhere a wonderful, wonderful week and THANK YOU for all that you do every single day to take care of our most valuable assets, our children. We especially thank support staff at our partner schools in Prince George's County, Maryland - Parkdale High School, Charles Carroll Middle School, Walker Mill Middle School, Kenmoor Middle School, William Paca Elementary School, and Carrollton Elementary School. 

Save the Date: Tuesday, November 4, 2014!

If you can't join us on Tuesday, consider supporting In Reach in one of the following ways:

• If you are an amazing parent or know someone who is, purchase In Reach’s “I Am An Amazing Parent” t-shirt in gray, red, or pink (Ladies T) and gray or sapphire (Unisex). The purchase of one t-shirt will provide a student with $25 worth of books while participating in our new Power of Literacy Program in partnership with Scholastic’s Family and Community Engagement (FACE™) Initiative to help students build literacy skills. 

• Making a workplace contribution via the Maryland Charity Campaign, designation code #6720. 

• Mark your calendar for Tuesday, December 2, 2014, the big day, #GivingTuesday, a global day dedicated to giving back. We would appreciate your support in raising funds to support the development and implementation of our High School Internship Training Program, a much needed resource to help prepare rising juniors to interact and conduct themselves in professional settings.

We appreciate your support! Please share.

Lights On #Afterschool!

Prince George's County Council Member Ingrid M. Turner, Esq. (D-4) and Kentland Community Center afterschool students

Contact: Samantha Trotter

240.334.6167

What Does a Nonprofit Organization and Community Center Have in Common?

Collaboration is Key in Afterschool

Landover, MD | On Thursday, October 23, 2014, In Reach, Inc. in collaboration with the Kentland Community Center celebrated Lights On Afterschool, the only nationwide event celebrating afterschool programs and their important role in the lives of children, families and communities. 

Forty students ranging in kindergarten to eighth grade from surrounding schools enjoyed an afternoon full of activities including decorating paper light bulbs, Lights On’s symbol, competing in a relay race, and sharing reasons why they love their afterschool program.  While some students took home winning prizes, everyone took home a book bag filled with goodies. “Our Lights On Afterschool celebration was a huge success thanks to In Reach. The kids were still talking about all of the fun they had days later,” commented Tarik Brown, Director of the Kentland Community Center.

All over the country public officials recognized the special day. Maryland’s Governor Martin O’Malley signed a proclamation claiming October 23^rd the official Lights On Afterschool Day in the State as well did the Prince George’s County Council in a proclamation presented by Council Member Ingrid M. Turner, Esq. (District 4) to In Reach and the Kentland Community Center for their hard work and dedication to providing children with afterschool programming in Prince George’s County.

  

In Reach and the Kentland Community Center are both members of the Kentland-Palmer Park Transforming Neighborhood Initiative (TNi), one of six neighborhoods in the County that face significant economic, health, public safety and educational challenges. Several TNi members attended and supported the event. Corey Smedley, Team Leader, Kentland-Palmer Park TNi shared, “Education is the key to success and our County Executive, Rushern L. Baker, III, has set the vision for the County. Whether it is integrated school governance or Transforming Neighborhood Initiatives, education is the foundation, and improvements will take a collaborative effort.” 

This collaborative event was just one of many that took place in the county, and all over the state, committing to increase awareness about the value of afterschool programs and their necessity. It is just one way In Reach and the Kentland Community Center work to continuously expand its afterschool opportunities in Prince George’s County. Afterschool programs play a pivotal role in keeping kids safe and healthy, inspiring them to learn, and relieving working parents of worries about their children’s activities during the afternoon hours.

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In Reach, Inc., a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization, mission is to prepare students for college, work and life.

Kentland Community Center is a facility of the Prince George’s County Department of Parks and Recreation.

The Afterschool Alliance is a nonprofit public awareness and advocacy organization working to ensure that all children have access to quality afterschool programs, organizes Lights On Afterschool. Read more about the importance and value of afterschool programs at www.afterschoolalliance.org. 

Turning Dreams into Reality at Largo-Kettering Public Library - Celebrating #TeenReadWeek

Every year the Young Adult Library Services Association celebrates Teen Read Week, its purpose is to encourage teens to be regular readers and library users. In Reach’s own Girls of Worth Afterschool Literacy Club visited the Largo-Kettering Public Library, one of their neighborhood libraries, in celebration of Teen Read Week. The group included 19 sixth grade girls, In Reach Executive Director, Toni A. Smith, Manger, College Access Programs, Katrina Robinson, and Partner Engagement Specialist and trip organizer, Samantha Trotter.

Largo-Kettering branch director, Devon Holland, opened her doors to the Girls of Worth. She gave an impromptu tour and provided the opportunity for each young lady to sign up for the new Student Library Card. This new card allows students to check out a limited number of items without a financial burden. The girls were intrigued to learn of some of the overlooked resources Prince George’s County Metropolitan Library Services offer. Some of which include online homework help, test prep sessions and access to online movie and music streaming all with their library card.

After the tour and discussion the girls had a chance to familiarize themselves with the branch. This time was filled with chatter between the young ladies about their favorite genres of literature as well as which books they would begin next. The bus ride home was filled with excitement. The girls discussed how they would be visiting the branch and checking out books, music and movies as soon as they received their new card. This Teen Read Week event met its goal of encouraging teens, in this case preteens, to be more frequent readers and library visitors! 

The Girls of Worth Afterschool Literacy Club is back!

First Team Win of the Year - Crossing the River Activity

Our Girls of Worth Afterschool Literacy Club is back in session for the 2014-2015 academic year with 19 sixth grade girls! Now entering its second year at William Paca ES in Landover, MD, another amazing program year is underway.

The purpose of Girls of Worth is to prepare girls for middle school by engaging them in fun, hands-on and confidence building activities that will strengthen them academically and further develop their 4C's - communication, collaboration, critical thinking, and creativity - 21st century "super" skills.  

This year, in addition to using the Kindle Fire, we have added Practutor, an online tutoring program that customizes learning for each student based on individual skills and empowers them to master every concept of the Common Core Standards, to help strengthen the girls reading and math skills. Club members will also become pen pals and organize and implement a community service project.

Stay tuned for much more from these awesome girls!

Amazing #AmeriCorps

Samantha Trotter, Partner Engagement Specialist and AmeriCorps VISTA member

In Reach celebrated 20 Years of AmeriCorps Service with AmeriCorps Maryland on September 12, 2014. We were pleased to watch as our AmeriCorps VISTA, Samantha Trotter, was sworn-in in Annapolis, Maryland.

In collaboration with the Maryland Out of School Time Network (MOST), on September 2, 2014, Samantha officially joined In Reach as our Partner Engagement Specialist. She will be assisting In Reach with building its capacity to reduce challenges of poverty as they directly relate to K-12 education, bridging the gap in services in the Kentland/Palmer Park neighborhoods, one of six Transforming Neighborhood Initiatives in Prince George's County, Maryland, and raising awareness about issues that currently challenge In Reach's mission of preparing students for college work and life.

Samantha is a native of Columbus, Ohio and a recent alumna of Central State University. She graduated with honors earning her Bachelors of Arts in Mass Communication. Ms. Trotter has excelled throughout college in many ways including serving a three year consecutive class president and an active member of Student Government Association. Additionally, she has been a member of the United States Army Reserves since 2009. Samantha is honored and humbled to be able to share her assets, learn and grow in this new, rewarding environment.

And we are honored and humbled to have her!

10 Things Every Young Man Should Know

10 Things Every Young Man Should Know

Do you know a young man who could benefit from learning beneficial skills to make him a more well-rounded individual?

If so, “10 Things Every Young Man Should Know” is the perfect program. This 12-week program for young men ages 14-18 is strategically designed teach them basic life skills as they transition from adolescence into adulthood.

The program will be held on consecutive Tuesdays from September 2, 2014 - November 18, 2014 at Oakcrest Community Center, from 6:30 pm-9 pm.

The cost is $50 for Residents and $60 for Non-Residents.

Topics in the 12-Week Session

9/2	Introductory Session
9/9	How To Maintain A Car
9/16	How To Prepare For The Workforce
9/23	How To Stay Healthy
9/30	How To Make A Difference
10/7	How To Maintain A Positive Identity
10/14	How To Have Healthy Relationships
10/21	How To Interact With Law Enforcement
10/28	How To Handle Finances
11/4	How To Cook A Meal
11/11	How To Be A Leader
11/18	Closing Session

*Attending all 12 sessions is not mandatory, but is strongly encouraged. Don't miss out on these educational and empowering sessions.

Participation Criteria

All participants must have a M-NCPPC Youth ID. Create your FREE Youth ID at any local M-NCPPC Community Center or online at the PG Parks site.

Register for this program with SMARTlink#: 1555217.
Registration begins Aug 11, 2014.

Read the attached commitment letter, then print it out, once you've successfully registered for the program.

Additional Information

Need more information or seeking financial assistance?

Please contact Natalie Smart at 301-446-3400, or Natalie.Smart@pgparks.com.