The “Giver” Program is Staying After School
Charity for Change has reached an exciting milestone in the plan for expansion of its “Giver” Program. After six years as a 30-week classroom-based initiative, the program is now being offered in afterschool programs.
Mike Davis Elementary School in January was the first site to offer the “Giver” Program to the 125 students in its afterschool activities. The program is being administered by After School Programs, Inc. (ASP), which operates accredited afterschool programs at more than 75 sites in Collier, Broward, Miami-Dade and Orange counties. Charity for Change is in discussion with ASP to add the “Giver” Program at more sites through the spring and for the 2014-15 school year.
“We are excited to have new opportunities to reach more students with our character education program,” says President and CEO Karen Conley. “As we connect with more and more people working in schools and afterschool environments, they see the value in our turnkey curriculum that meets current math standards as well as requirements of 21st Century Community Learning Centers grants.”
Conley and Director of Development Suzanne Todd attended the Florida Afterschool Conference and the Florida School Counselor Association conference last fall to tell educators about the “Giver” Program. The curriculum supports student achievement, character development and community engagement as students develop empathy for others and learn about the importance of charities and volunteerism.
Components of the “Giver” Program include an interactive website, grade-level math questions that align with current state standards, The “Giver” Program is ‘Staying After School’ puzzles, puppet shows, certificates, lesson plans, contests, incentive prizes, animated and live mascots, awards assemblies, and classroom visits and thank you letters from the charities.
At State Rep. Kathleen Passidomo’s invitation, they also spent two days in Tallahassee with her, discussing the “Giver” Program with members of the Florida House of Representatives Education Committee and Education Appropriations Subcommittee, Florida Department of Education, 21st Century Community Learning Centers, Florida Afterschool Network, and Foundation for Florida’s Future.
“We are honored by the support of our donors, our partnership with the Collier school district, and the encouragement of leaders such as Rep. Passidomo,” says Conley. “We have all worked together to develop and fine-tune the “Giver” Program so that it is ready to be a valuable tool in educational systems anywhere. We look forward to the day we reach every K-5 student in Collier County.”
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