INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — The Sebastian Branch of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Indian River County has a lot to be excited about. As part of Quail Valley Charities $20,000 grant to the clubs, fifteen brand new laptop computers were purchased, along with a rolling, locking, storage cart to store them. The remaining funding will go directly to supporting the Project Learn program.
The Project Learn program is the cornerstone from which all Boys & Girls Clubs programs are built.
Research strongly suggests that positive learning opportunities during the non-school hours have a substantial effect on the learning pattern through a young person’s life. Project Learn was designed to engage young people in learning, encourage them to succeed in school, and help them become lifelong learners.
When children arrive at the clubs after school, they immediately move into a component of Project Learn. The program focuses on homework help and tutoring, participation in high-yield learning and leisure activities, increased parent/guardian participation in school work, direct collaboration with the schools, and enhanced techniques for goal setting and recognizing achievements.
Attendance at the Sebastian Club averages 150 children each day. Prior to the addition of the laptop computers, the children shared twenty-one desk top computers. There were long waiting lists for their use after school, and they were located in high traffic areas of the club.
The new laptop computers will allow more children to work simultaneously on school projects, homework, and academic enrichment activities. They will give the children the ability to find a quiet place to work with better focus, and will give club staff members additional opportunities for teaching.
The Boys & Gils Clubs of Indian River County is incredibly grateful for the ongoing support of Quail Valley Charities.
“For more than ten years, Quail Valley has supported the work of the clubs in our community with program grant donations totaling almost $200,000. We simply couldn’t do the vital work we do without the partnership of organizations such as Quail Valley Charities,” said Elizabeth Thomason, executive director.
