75B - PH - CDBG PROGRAM 13-14 - Laserfiche WebLink

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III. PROGRAM/PROJECT DESCRIPTION-DETAIL In the space below, describe the program/project, Include information as to how the program/project will benefit low-income peoplelhouseholds. (max. char. 2000) The After-School Homework Help and Tutoring program provides free bilingual tutoring services in all school subjects to all Santa Ana students in grades K-12. Tutors work with students to help them understand and complete homework assignments. In addition, the program offers special courses in the areas of reading, math, science, art, technology, and health, to strengthen and develop the academic, social, behavioral, communication, life and career skills of children, adolescents and young adults, The bitoring of adolescents and many programs for children take place in and are managed by TeenSpace tutors. TeenSpaces also bring to the program an average of 45 specialized programs on a weekly basis during the school-year and an average of 100 programs during the summer months aimed at the overall development of Middle School, High School, and Transition Age/ College students. The Learning Center and TeenSpace tutoring programs combine to provide: • Qualified bilingual tutors • Access to computers and Internet • Interactive academic enhancement through educational software • Introductory and advanced computer workshops • Research assistance • College Preparation • Career Guidance and Career Skills Development Programs • Life Skills Development for Transitioning to Adulthood Programs • Leadership Skills Training • Civic Engagement training and mentorship • Specialized intervention programs for probation youth and high-school dropouts Through the Library's free tutoring program, low income families have the opportunity to provide their children with the same quality tutoring that students who can afford to pay $60 per hour receive. The program provides low-income students with a low student to tutor ratio giving each student the sustained attention required to master challenging material. Through our program, low-income students can always count on access to a place that will offer them educational activities after school to keep them safe and productive. IV. STATEMENT OF NEED In the space below, describe why this program/project is needed. Include information as to any effects if CDBG funds are not awarded and whether similar programs/projects are available in the community. (max. char. NUU) According to Santa Ana Unified School District, 36 of its elementary schools have been identified for program improvement for not making Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) and 20 of those have qualified for Supplemental Educational Services (SES). For fiscal year 2010-2011, SAUSD had 2,662 eligible students on a waiting list to receive those services. Each year the number on the waiting list increases. After-School Homework Help and Tutoring is the approach many teachers and parents are taking when they see a child struggling with academic subjects. Although there are other programs within the city that provide tutoring services, such as SAUISD, THINK TOGETHER, and Kidworks, our program has proved popularwith the community. Parents praise our style of tutoring and special courses. In addition, our program offers the community consistent hours, help in all subject areas, and serves students K-12, in contrast to other programs that focuson one subject or provide service to a specific age group. In addition, our Teen programs offer unique service to our youth in that 90% of tutors grew up in the city and are in var?ous levels of their undergraduate and graduate education. Seventy percent are graduates of the TeenSpace program, and have a vested an Intense personal interest in giving back to their community by mentoring the next generation. It is a measure of the program's success that a large number of youths who participate in the TeenSpace program have become the active youth leadership core of various youth serving organizations throughout the city. Today's low-income youth face many challenges. These are compounded by the scarcity of resources to help them face those challenges. Together, the Learning Centers and TeenSpace programs offer nearly 4,000 young people the opportunity to develop fully, academically and socially. Without CDBG funds, these young people will not have that opportunity, 75B-46