Boys & Girls Club professionals get valuable afterschool training
By Meliqueica Meadows
Of the St. Louis American
Now that school is back in session, students are already coming home with homework assignments, and workers at Herbert Hoover Boys & Girls Club will be especially prepared to help them.
Earlier this month, professionals from Herbert Hoover Boys & Girls Club participated in the all-day Power Hour training in San Diego, CA sponsored by JC Penny Afterschool Fund.
The Power Hour training was created to help motivate Boys & Girls Club workers and improve their skills in helping students with their homework assignments. The interactive afterschool homework-assistance program is designed for children between the ages of six and eighteen to help them achieve their academic goals.
During the Power Hour homework assistance program, Boys & Girls Club professionals supervise students as they complete homework assignments, read, and work on educational enhancement exercies. The goal of the program is to enhance and improve academic achievement of students and prepare them for successful futures.
While participating in the program, students complete exercises to help them develop self-discipline, sound study skills and an overall appreciation of the learning process. Students also learn the importance of developing good study habits.
During the one-day Power Hour training, Club professionals were exposed to first-hand knowledge from experts in the field of educational strategies and techniques. They learned ways to inspire resistant students, work with teens and parents on homework needs and supporting schools successfully.
“We are grateful to the JC Penny Afterschool Fund for prviding us with such an incredible opportunity to be educated on a homework-assistance program like Power Hour,” said Indigo Sams, director of program services for the Herbert Hoover Boys & Girls club.
“This training will give us the skills and invaluable knowledge one needs to work effectively with our members. These kids need capable and competent adults afterschool to guide and help them initiate and successfully complete their homework.”
A recent study, Working for Children: Safe and Smart After-School Programs, conducted by the U.S. Justice and Education Departments, found that children left alone after school have a harder time completing their homework assignments than children who participate in afterschol programs.
The study also found that students involved in afterschool programs were more likely to succeed academically than those who were not and that they were also much more self-confident. Several studies have also found that students involved in afterschool programs have an increase in their interest for learning and improved behavior at school.
The Power Hour homework assistance program is funded by the JCPenny Afterschool Fund, which is committed to helping provide children with high-quality, affordable afterschool programs to help them reach their full potential. The fund helps provide safe, fun and educational afterschool programs and raise awareness of the need for more such programs across the country.
This year the JCPenny Afterschool Fund is contributing approximately $875,000 in Power Hour grants to 175 local Boys & Girls Clubs.
Herbert Hoover Boys & Girls Club offers students homework assistance and individual tutoring to students in addition to a host of additional services and activities. For more information about Herbert Hoover Boys & Girls Club, visit www.hhbgc.org.
