Weekly Media Roundup: November 13, 2024

Flower City Arts Center Empowers Students to Share Stories Through Photography, Spectrum News 1 (New York)

Through photography, sculpture, and painting, the afterschool program at the Flower City Arts Center in Rochester, New York is empowering middle and high schoolers to express themselves through art. The program creates space for students to process difficult emotions and express their views on challenges their communities are facing. “For us, giving these children a voice through the arts is really important,” Markus Essien, the center’s photo program coordinator, told Spectrum News 1. “Teenagers are experimenting with life and trying to figure out who they are. So it’s crucial for them to understand their voice so that they can tell their own stories.”

Chicago Heights Library After-school Program Helps Feed Kids All Year, ABC 7 Chicago (Illinois)

At the Chicago Heights Public Library afterschool program, students enjoy salads, chicken wraps, fruit, vegetables and other nutritious meals and snacks before completing their homework and educational activities. “We just want everyone to be safe and eat. It’s important,” Carmen Moorer, the youth services manager at Chicago Heights Library, told ABC 7 Chicago. “Could be their only meal because they don’t have anything at home.” The Greater Chicago Food Depository provides free food to Chicago Heights Library and nearly 200 other local youth programs.

After-School Program Bridges Language Gaps for Refugee, Immigrant Students, WREG (Tennessee)

Recognizing many students who are learning English need additional support outside of school, Multinational Memphis’ afterschool program offers homework assistance to refugee and immigrant students. “Priority is homework. Let’s work on that. If they don’t have homework or they finish very quickly, they can then work through some reading and math curriculum that we have that helps them practice basic skills,” Devin Schniepp, the executive director of Multinational Memphis, told WREG. The program also provides enriching arts programs and other engaging activities, as well as transportation from local schools .

Before- and After-School Programs Nurture Mental and Physical Development, Route Bay City (Michigan)

At afterschool programs across Bay County, Michigan, students are growing their own vegetables, getting help with homework, playing sports, interviewing local elected officials for a student-produced podcast, and more. With support from the United Way of Bay County, many also offer free transportation and before-school programs to support working parents. “We are creating a safe, positive space for these kids to collaborate and compete and ultimately creating future engineers, architects, artists, CEOs,” Brandon Kathman, director of marketing & communications for the Boys & Girls Clubs Great Lakes Bay Region, told Route Bay City. “They have a space here. A space where we work to build their confidence and kindle their passion.”