Creating Healthy Youth through Postive Altertatives
Piqon Poetry Festival
Since 1989 CCI has co-hosted the annual poetry festival for youth in grades 4-12.
This half-day celebration of poets and poetry allows each of the students, parents, and teachers to work with two different poets, and culminates in a student reading and booklet from the festival. Many organizations and volunteers help with this event the Northern Nevada Writing Project, the Sierra Nevada Chapter of the International Reading Center, and the Nevada Humanities Committee. Over 2,000 students and teachers throughout the state have participated in the festival since the late Bill Abrams and Shaun Griffin founded it.
For more information on the poetry festival, e-mail Shaun at...
Shaun@communitychestnevada.net
Storey County Youth Programs
CCI offers before-and after-school, and summer, programs for K-12 youth in partnership with the Storey County Schools. The before- and after-school programs typically include breakfast snacks, reading or study time, social skills activities, outdoor play and recreation, and field trips or theme-based activities to enrich the lives of the 150-plus youth who participate annually. There are programs at the two elementary schools in Storey County, and a teen center for middle and high school youth is offered in partnership with a business on Virginia City's main street.
All of the K-6 youth programs have a drug, alcohol, and tobacco-free emphasis, which is a natural outgrowth of our organizational intent: to build healthy communities.
During 2000, families were asked to rate our services along 15 program climate and developmentally appropriate program criteria. 100% of parents responded positively to all 15 criteria!
I was very impressed with the teaching aspects of the Community Chest program. My daughter learned a great deal about a myriad of subjects, like health and nutrition, throughout the school year. Honestly, Ive never seen such an innovative and inexpensive (after-school) program that is so positive for children and teens, and gives them constructive and educational activities to participate in during the summer months and the school year (which my children participated in).
In our 2000 summer program (as we have every year) we carried on our strong tradition of humanities-based programming, featuring a musical production under the guidance of Amy Malekos, a former AmeriCorps member. This summer, an artist and musician will again coordinate programs for the youth.
Two years ago we introduced a new model for our middle and high school students. The Off-the-Hill clinics feature experts and local volunteers who offer outdoor adventures, arts, and cultural experiences to the youth. These have included golf, kayaking, water-skiing, theatre, drumming, Latino language, food, and dance. Over 30 youth participate in the summer clinics and typically report having many satisfying learning experiences and challenges.
In a recent profile of Lyon and Storey County Middle School youth that participated in our out-of-school programs, 63% believe they can graduate from a four-year university or complete graduate training, and 83% believed their friends modeled responsible behavior.
For more information on our youth programs, e-mail Paula at...
Paula@communitychestnevada.net
Classroom on WheelsParent as Teacher
We operate two Classrooms on Wheels in Lyon and Storey Counties. These busses stop at eight sites throughout the counties. The early childhood education team provides parent training, literacy and skills building for pre-K youth, and much-needed social interaction for isolated families.
During the 2000-01 year, the COW Bus served six communities in Storey and Lyon Counties: Mark Twain, Silver Springs, Dayton, Lockwood, the Virginia City Highlands, and Virginia City. This outreach program prepares pre-K students to become school ready. In 2001, over 75% of the families served by the COW Bus indicated they had gained confidence in their parenting skills and were more able to access resources in their community, including those not related to young children, as a result of their participation. The bus offers programs to approximately 300 children and families (in 2002). An AmeriCorps member volunteered 450 hours on the bus last year.
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In 2001 parents said the following about the COW Bus program:
The COW Bus is a wonderful social experience for my child.
Since participating in the COW Bus my two boys have improved with communication as well as retaining information.
It (the Cow Bus) provides independence from Mommy and encourages him to
follow directions and be comfortable with another authority figure.