New Castle County, DE
New Castle County Chapter promoted literacy and mental health on Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Day of Service. We continued to focus on kids in foster care by supporting the foundation, Kind to Kids. Our Highsteppers through Newcomers discovered they had, “The Power to Make a Difference”. The Kind to Kids Foundation supports over 700 children in Delaware’s foster care system. Our Champions, Explorers and Newcomers sorted 522 books by grade level and assembled mini-bags of art supplies for them. Parents and children also heard from a mental health professional on the therapeutic benefits of art expression to children who experience trauma and displaced from their homes. Our youngest age groups, Highsteppers and Producers, decorated over 27 Jared Boxes to be given to the pediatric wing of Christiana Care Wilmington Hospital. The “busy boxes” full of games, literacy activities, flash cards will help children awaiting medical services.
Newton, MA
A ribbon cutting ceremony was held to unveil the new Pediatric Literacy Corner at the Dimock Community Health Center in Roxbury, MA. The Newton Chapter worked with Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, New England Blacks in Philanthropy, and the Mayor’s Office of Resilience and Racial Equity. The aim of the Literacy Corner is to close the educational disparity gap by promoting an informal space to learn and improve children’s literacy. The literacy corner features culturally appropriate books that encourage a life-long love of reading. The space includes kid friendly furniture and artwork, and provides a safe, relaxing environment where the health of the child is linked to the importance of early literacy and language. In partnership with Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, Newton Chapter members will replenish books for many years to come so that children who visit the pediatrics department will take their favorite book home with them.
North Jersey, NJ
High school students from North Jersey and the City of Orange participated in a program called Words Of Wisdom (WoW). Students received words of wisdom to consider as they prepare for life events such as being responsible drivers, college, how to interact with a police office and social media challenges. During this full day event the teens participated in a moot trial that focused on a teen charged with resisting arrest, simple assault and disorderly conduct. Next, the teens observed a court proceeding whereby the local officials Honorable Mayor Warren and Mr. Montilus, Esq. were the prosecuting and defense attorney and the Honorable Hasan was the presiding judge. After the trial, the students were able to understand the legislative process and their rights. The program concluded with tour of the police department and Police Director Todd Warren talked about the consequences of making decisions and the impact of their choices. 78