Weekly Media Roundup: May 10, 2023

D.O.V.E.S Afterschool Program Builds Self-Esteem, Confidence in Local Elementary Students, WMDT (Maryland)

At the D.O.V.E.S. (Daughters of Value, Excellence and Success) afterschool program in Salisbury, Maryland, young girls are empowered to be themselves and support one another and others in their community. The program was established five years ago and thanks to funding from The Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore, it has expanded to include more students. “It makes me feel like I can do anything I want to do without anybody telling me I can’t. It makes me feel really, really happy on the inside,” Kyra Atta-Obeng, a student, told WMDT.

Community Members, Lawmakers Rally for Permanent Childcare Funding, WMTV (Wisconsin)

In recognition of the National ‘Day Without Child Care,’ parents joined program providers and lawmakers at the Goodman Community Center in Madison, Wisconsin to highlight the importance of early childhood care and afterschool programs. Advocates spoke about the need for funding as well as increased wages for providers. Bree Bruington, who is widowed and has a child in elementary school, spoke to WMTV about how she relies on and appreciates the Wisconsin Youth Company afterschool program. “When we were home [during the pandemic] I was able to take the money I wasn’t spending on that after school program and re-donate it [back] because that’s how much I knew I needed that program to come back,” Bruington said.

Éleos After-School Program Expanding to Double the Number of Kids Served in Nicholtown, Fox Carolina (South Carolina)

The Éleos Ministry afterschool program in Greenville, South Carolina raised $200,000 in only three weeks to cover renovation costs for a new space that is four times larger than its current one. The new space will enable Éleos to double the number of students in the program and add more physical activities such as dance classes. “The waitlist has been growing and growing,” co-founder Cameron Hill told Fox Carolina. “We’re looking to expand our program to create that space for all those students who are interested in joining.” The afterschool program provides tutoring, mentorship, and fun activities such as basketball for middle and high school students.

Be Remarkable: Founder of Local Non-Profit Academy Honored for Keeping Learning and Fun Going for Students, KBTX-TV (Texas)

At the Byrd Academy, a free afterschool and summer program in Bryan, Texas, students explore a wide variety of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) topics including software, design, manufacturing, 3D printing, electronics and more through hands-on activities. The program was created by Mickie Byrd, a software engineer who both funds the program and serves as an on-site instructor. KBTX-TV recently recognized Byrd with the Be Remarkable Award for his work to increase educational equity in his community. “A lot of students don’t have access to STEM. They see it in their school, and a lot of them feel like STEM is not for me, but STEM is for everybody,” Byrd told KBTX-TV