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CITY OF RAMSEY
<br />Description of Community Programs and Donations
<br />needs of others, a sense of personal responsibility to contribute to the larger society, and opportunities
<br />for volunteering, leadership and service.
<br />Academic Support (Promises 1, 2, 4)
<br />Youth First targets and provides support at after -school sights and in the schools to middle and high
<br />school students who are struggling academically. Part of the process is teaching them basic
<br />organizational skills and study habits which they often have not learned and has a direct link to their
<br />poor academic status. In coordination with their teachers, we provide concentrated attention and help
<br />with specific assignments and projects. We work in collaboration with parents, teachers
<br />and administrators to encourage each student's success by attending conferences with parents, working
<br />with teachers to better understand their academic difficulties, assisting with late/missing assignments,
<br />and advocating with administrators on behalf of students/families. Additionally, we work to ensure
<br />students attend school each day, on time and they have the proper materials, skills and support that has
<br />proven to increase academic success and graduation rates. Summer school students can also seek
<br />academic assistance at our summer program.
<br />Enrichment Programs (Promises 1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
<br />We provide free enriching and recreational activities for middle and high school students for 10 weeks in
<br />the summer. The focus of the program is to maintain healthy, safe relationships with students
<br />who participate in our school year program, as well as build relationships with new students beginning
<br />our program in the summer. Summer program is important because many of our participants do not
<br />have a safe and/or engaging place to spend time when not in school. On -site daily activities and
<br />programs include educational sessions on money management, nutrition, health and wellness, healthy
<br />relationships, art, movie night, and indoor and outdoor organized games and sports. To ensure
<br />programming meets the needs of all the participants, the activities are youth driven, supporting a
<br />variety of interests, abilities, and ages. Field trips are scheduled weekly as well, which are a balance of
<br />recreation and education and community service. The intent of the field trips are to expose the
<br />students to a wide variety of activities throughout the metro area that are either free or low cost to
<br />encourage future exploration. Many of our students have not had the opportunity to explore the
<br />greater area around us or try new things. Past excursions include canoeing down the Mississippi River,
<br />cave tours, museums, zoos, water parks and local beaches. Community services events include
<br />volunteering at local food shelves, Feed My Starving Children, as well as painting and yard work for
<br />seniors. Family Club is held for 4 — 6 weeks during the summer and provides participating families with
<br />an opportunity to share a community meal (provided by local faith communities and civic groups),
<br />participate in healthy family activities, and have access to select social service organizations that have
<br />been scheduled to attend. Topics range from personal finance, post -secondary exploration, legal
<br />assistance, home ownership, health and safety, and healthy parenting. This is a key way for our staff,
<br />partners and families to meet informally and build strong community connections.
<br />Social Services/Support (Promises 1, 2, 3)
<br />This area of service is the most direct and intense part of our program. Under this category we provide
<br />a safe place for struggling youth to come for help where they will be treated with dignity and respect as
<br />proper resources and services are identified. Often times this includes finding ways to meet their basic
<br />needs of food, medical care, clothing and shelter. We coordinate with medical, social service agencies
<br />and businesses to identify free/low-cost medical care including dental, vision, counseling and doctors.
<br />For youth without parents/guardians, we provide transportation and advocacy during emergencies as
<br />needed. Snacks and meals are provided during all program activities (year-round), as well as food for
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