ORGANIZATION AND HISTORY
In January 2014 in Fayetteville, NC the Youth EMPACT Program was established with the purpose of providing a safe haven where youth can participate in a comprehensive program consisting of leadership training and academic tutoring that promotes the physical, educational and life skills necessary to prepare and empower them for leadership in their communities and success in their personal lives.
Although Fayetteville, North Carolina is a great town, the youth in Fayetteville, North Carolina, and the surrounding areas daily contend with many of the same problems faced by similar mostly urban, minority neighborhoods. We heard too much about crime, truancy, substance abuse, obesity, teen pregnancy, and academic failure. But all that is changing, and through the Youth EMPACT program, the EMPACT One Foundation is playing a big part in the transformation.
Now, instead of seeing throngs of kids hanging out with nothing to do but engage in illicit activity, you might see kids participating in entrepreneurial activities, building a business plan, participating in arts and activities that encourage and empower. All this AFTER they have finished their homework with the help of tutors and mentors. Sound unlikely?
Until March 2016, the scene described above would not have been imaginable in many areas of Fayetteville, North Carolina. The Youth EMPACT program provides both after-school, saturday only, and full-time summer programs, which provide homework assistance and mentorship that promotes life skills and character development through the military style programs and activities.
COMMUNITY NEED
There is a tremendous need, especially for high-risk youth in low-income neighborhoods, for programs that provide activities and support for children during the after school hours and throughout the summer. In 1998, the Children’s Defense Fund reported that violent crime by young people ages 10-17 peaks between 3 and 7 PM; children and teens in poor neighborhoods are struggling for direction and positive opportunities are needed to keep them safe and on-track; a great majority of all American fourth graders cannot read or do math at grade level, including more than five of six black children. In addition, a study published in Pediatrics magazine found that eighth graders who were left alone after school reported greater use of cigarettes, marijuana, and alcohol than those in adult-supervised settings.
Research indicates that supervised after-school and summer programs not only keep children safe and out of trouble, they also significantly improve their academic achievement.
THE SOLUTION
Our inner-cities are experiencing significant spikes in incidences of crime, truancy, teen pregnancy, obesity, and drug use, suffers from a lack of constructive activities for youth. As a visionary, CGen John L. Antoine Miner, Sr., who is a Retired U.S. Army Veteran and a Wounded Warrior saw the potential benefits of a quality after-school and summer program. To provide a safe haven for the inner-city youth.
As a result, the Youth EMPACT program was established. Since its inception, the Youth EMPACT program has gained a positive reputation for providing constructive activities that contribute to reducing crime and illicit activity, increasing academic performance, and providing life skills to ensure success in school, in the community and in life.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
Teaching high-risk, inner-city youth the skills to become successful in life is at the core of the Youth EMPACT program. The four major components of the program are:
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Homework assistance through tutoring, mentoring and use of computer labs
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Nutrition education to promote healthy lifestyles and combat obesity
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Life skills which are integrated throughout all phases of the program
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Military style instruction where participants engage in fun physical fitness, enjoy the camaraderie of soldiering in a team military style format with friends and peers, and learn to become responsible adolescents and adults
The after school program - serves up to 150 children in each of the fall and spring sessions. It includes homework assistance five hours/week and military style instruction, health and life skills education twenty-three hours/week.
The summer program - serves up to 250 children and includes academic tutoring 15 hours/week and military style instruction, health and life skills education 33 hours/week.
Participants receive military style instruction and practice skills in a unit format. sportsmanship, positive attitudes, community leadership, self-esteem, taking responsibility for choices, and management of emotions. These life skills are integrated throughout the military style program, and instructors routinely demonstrate how they apply to situations in all aspects of life.
Nutrition and healthy lifestyles are stressed both in the classroom setting and in the field training environment. Healthy snacks are provided.
The EMPACT One Foundation is fortunate to have a corps of volunteers many of whom have served in the Armed Forces and as educators, who are dedicated to assisting the participants of the Youth EMPACT program and are available to work with the children on improving their academic skills. Students from several area colleges and universities have taken an active role in the homework area, working individually with the participants using current homework assignments. In the computer lab they help the participants improve their keyboarding skills and show them how to use the computer for research. They read aloud with the participants and give quizzes on tapes and videos to improve comprehension. When the college students are not on hand to assist, parishioners from several local Churches assume the role of tutors. Incentives are awarded to the participants based on attendance, knowledge of military operations, good behavior and general attitude.
POPULATION SERVED (2016 demographics)
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Youth 5 - 17 years old;
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67% come from single parent families and/or live with a grandparent or other caregiver.
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Virtually all participants qualify for the government free lunch program, and are considered low-income.
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42% female, 58% male;
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67% African American, 23% Caucasian.
PARTNERS
EMPACT One Foundation strongly believes that the formula for providing effective, cost-efficient and high-quality programs includes collaboration with many community organizations.
EMPACT One Foundation partners with the following groups:
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GAP Boys – identifies children for the programs
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Cumberland County Public Library – provides a computer lab for homework assistance
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Interdenominational Church parishioners - serve as volunteer tutors and mentors
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Local college and university students – serve as volunteer tutors and mentors
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Cumberland/Fayetteville Parks & Recreation – provides usage of facilities
OUTCOMES AND EVALUATION
At least 89% of participants will complete the program as measured by attendance records.
At least 98% of participants will demonstrate academic improvement as measured by quarterly report cards, teacher progress reports, and tutor feedback.
At least 75% of participants’ families will increase the number of hours spent in reading activities with their children as measured by pre and post screenings and Bonus Bucks program tracking form.
SUSTAINABILITY OF PROJECT
To serve eligible youth, virtually all of whom are unable to pay for services, EMPACT One Foundation has developed a fundraising plan which includes initiating an annual fund drive targeted to individuals; an annual banquet/auction; funding requests to area civic clubs and organizations; and corporate and foundation grants.
PUBLICITY
EMPACT One Foundation will be pleased to acknowledge your contribution with appropriate signage at the facility. In addition, we would make mention of your gift in our quarterly newsletter and submit news releases to local newspapers.