“AT THE CENTER OF EDUCATION”

G.R.A.C.E. Community Services hosts an after school program entitled, “After School is Key!”  “Key to what?,”  you may ask.   This comprehensive program is key to helping kids in the Acres Homes and surrounding communities to become overcomers.  The program encourages each child to develop their full potential and to know and understand that they have the ability within themselves to become and do anything that their hearts desire!

The After School is Key (A.S.I.K.) program is also unique in that it is managed and run by a group of dedicated young men, along with numerous volunteers who help to make the program a success.  The “Men of Education,” as they are known, have a special rapport with the kids who come into the program that reaches far beyond the week day activities.  The men are called “coaches” because they coach these kids with life skills that enhance not only their everyday living, but their future lives as well. 

In the everyday routine of A.S.I.K., the kids are exposed to various interactive activities which challenge them to think outside of the box and beyond the four corners of their community!  They have different themes each day which in corporate hands-on activities so that they can gain the total experience of the theme that they are discussing.  Some of the fun-filled themes and activities that were covered included:

• Insects – discussion of the different types of insects and their lifestyles; and the hands-on challenge to create your own insect using Play-doh (what interesting creatures they handcrafted.)

• Skeleton – discussion of all the major bones, their particular purpose, and different ways to keep your bones healthy. The kids had a blast as they put together a small replica of a skeleton.

• Space – discussion of  the different planets and their structures.  The kids were amazed at creating a small replica of the solar system.

• Ocean – discovering the different features of the ocean, such as underwater mountains, canyons, fish and many other organisms found on the ocean floor. The kids also went to the aquarium to gain an up close and personal view of some of the many creatures living in the ocean.

• Decision – heart to heart discussion of the importance of our everyday decisions. The kids were exposed to a Career Fair to open their minds to the possibilities of their futures.

 
The  A.S.I.K. program is constantly being developed and re-developed to meet the needs of our kids.  One of the jewels that have evolved from the A.S.I.K. program is the Men-2-Men Mentoring Program.  This mentoring program provides special moments for our young men to make new connections and see beyond their everyday lives.  The young men are encouraged to be the best they can be and are exposed to various events and activities that help them to visualize the world beyond their small disenfranchised neighborhoods.