Julie Thomsen, director of partner relations at United WaySummer vacation won't be an excuse to slack off from learning, if the United Way of Greater Chattanooga has anything to say about it.
The charitable organization's newest campaign aims to improve the quality of programs offered in the summer and after school -- or "out-of-school time," as such programs are called now by educators.
That way, disadvantaged kids won't fall behind, United Way officials say.
"Low-income students lose about two months of reading [ability over the summer]," said Julie Thomsen, the United Way's director of partner relations.
Low-income children have access to programs now, she said. It's just that the programs could use some assistance helping students learn. As proof of that, Thomsen cited a map that displays Chattanooga schools and sites that offer youth programs, many of which are near underperforming schools.
"It shows you how many youth programs are surrounding Howard High School and Brainerd High School -- yet academic performance continues to go down," she said.
So the United Way will help train youth program providers to promote learning to students who take part in out-of-school time programs. To that end, the United Way has spent about $50,000 to hire the David P. Weikart Center for Youth Program Quality, a nonprofit organization in Ypsilanti, Mich.
Stephanie Love, a field consultant for the Weikart Center who lives in Duluth, Minn., made a remote presentation on Tuesday to a dozen employees of Chattanooga youth programs gathered in a meeting room of the United Way's offices at Market and Seventh streets in downtown Chattanooga. Another dozen local youth program people listened in online.
Establishing physical and emotional safety and creating a sense of belonging were some of the points that Love emphasized during her talk, as her voice came over speakers in the ceiling and a PowerPoint-style presentation was projected on a screen at the front of the room.
Out-of-school providers can teach more than that, though, Love said afterward.
"Can kids get along in small groups? Can they get along together? Can they learn how to make plans about things? Love asked. "The whole idea ... is really about helping kids develop social schools and emotional skills. After-school programs are really a fantastic place for that."
Live training is scheduled to follow Tuesday's kick-off event, Thomsen said. The United Way also will train its employees to be coaches who visit area out-of-school programs, she said.
Contact staff writer Tim Omarzu at tomarzu@timesfreepress.com or www.facebook.com/tim.omarzu or twitter.com/TimOmarzu or 423-757-6651.