 New grant expected to academically improve tribal youth
 (January 2011) The Youth Services Department of the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina obtained the 2010 OJP (Office of Justice Programs) Grant in late December to incorporate Project Learn within the Tribal Boys and Girls Clubs.
The $75,000 grant will be divided between the Lumbee Boys & Girls Clubs and will address academic achievement among tribal youth. Twenty-five children from the tribal clubs have been selected to participate in the program. “As a former educator, I know firsthand how success in school builds not only confidence but opportunities for greater success in life,” commented Tribal Chairman Purnell Swett. According to Boys and Girls Club of America, over a three-year period, Project Learn has showed significant grade improvements and an increase in attendance rates for program participants.
“We want them to develop a life-long love for learning,” commented Lumbee Boys and Girls Club Manager Verdia Deese. Tribal staff has been hired for the project and will interact with the teachers and parents on the progress of the youth in regard to attendance, grades, homework, tutoring and behavior. Each child will spend an hour each day on the Project Learn curriculum. As a part of interactive learning, board games such as Monopoly and Scrabble will be included to increase critical thinking skills.
According to the Boys and Girls Club of America, Project Learn reinforces and enhances the skills and knowledge young people learn at school during the hours they spend at the Club. “We want to be an extension of what they are doing at school,” said Deese. This comprehensive strategy is based on Dr. Reginald Clark’s research showing that students do much better academically when they spend their non-school hours engaged in fun, educational activities.
For more information about the Lumbee Boys & Girls Clubs please contact, Verdia Deese at 910-522-2218. |
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