VERO BEACH — Children’s Home Society of Florida, Treasure Coast Division, recently announced that it is recruiting student applicants, donations, and guest speakers for the 2012 Summer Enrichment Program in Indian River County.
The six-week tutoring program focuses on building math and reading skills, while also building self-confidence for foster children who are behind in their grade level.
The program will be offered at Trinity Episcopal Church in Vero Beach from June 18 to July 25 for foster and at-risk children who are 11-17 years old.
In addition to math and reading skills, highly-qualified teaching specialists also teach children essential skills on how to approach critical thinking and achieve learning objectives, which can be applied to their comprehensive educational experience.
During the “Lunch and Learn’ segment of the program, volunteers representing various careers will speak about their professions to open the children’s eyes to future career opportunities that can be realized through education.
This program, which is provided free of charge, has enriched the lives of 108 children since it was launched in the summer of 2009.
Grants from Quail Valley Charities, Indian River Alumnae of Kappa Kappa Gamma, Sun Trust Bank, and individuals have been committed to support the program. However, additional sponsors are needed to fully fund the program.
The nonprofit organization is also seeking in-kind donations from area restaurants, delis, caterers, grocery markets, and volunteer speakers for 18 lunch periods.
“Our primary goal is to elevate the students’ math and reading skills and/or to prepare them for Pre-GED classes. By doing so, the students will be able to succeed at a competent level in school for the 2012 fall semester and beyond,” explained Marta Schneider, Chair, Children’s Home Society of Florida Indian River County Advisory Board.
“Unfortunately, many children who have been raised in foster care or a poverty stricken environment do not perform well in a normal high school environment. Research shows that these children are behind in grade level by four to six years. It is estimated that one-in-five adults on the Treasure Coast cannot read well enough to fill out a job application, read to their children, or read a newspaper,” Schneider added.
Children’s Home Society of Florida is the sixth largest of more than 1,200 private organizations currently accredited and/or in process of accreditation in North America (U.S. and Canada).
The Treasure Coast Division, which is one of 15 divisions in Florida, served 11,607 children and their families in fiscal year 2011 in Indian River, Martin, Okeechobee, and St. Lucie counties.
CHS programs are developed to break the cycle of child abuse and provide children and young adults with the opportunity to be safe, healthy, and prepared for life.
For more information about enrollment or to learn how you can help support the 2012 Summer Enrichment Program, contact Dee Shelton, Development Specialist, at (772) 778-6340 ext. 225 or Dee.Shelton@CHSFL.org.