Gardere Initiative

Meals served (days of all holiday programs) We provide a substantial snack during the afterschool and holiday programs. Breakfast and lunch are provided during the 8-week summer program. We also provide meals at all of our annual events. (Served 18,220 Meals) Average Daily Attendance in Afterschool and Summer Programs (68 children 13 Parents) Resource Referrals: Throughout year, estimate: Immigrants moving into the community use our services to navigate the court, social service, school systems and others as needed. Year-round jobs and stipends

Within the past year we developed partnerships with ___ organizations, extending the opportunity for ______ - Youth are exposed to college experience while experiencing the gift of mentorship with law enforcement professionals. "Service Hours (connecting youth to caring adults). Students are LSU and Southern University as well as community adults interact with our middle and high school students during the 9-month afterschool program and 8-week summer program. 540 hours/week"

Helping families get kids into schools: Language is a barrier in our community. With the capability of our Spanish-speaking staff, we assist newly arrived families to enroll their children in the EBRPSS. Our staff, Martha Espinoza was recently certified via EBRPSS to be a registered translator. We provide a 9-month afterschool program, 8-weeks summer program and activities for major holidays when children are out of school. Within the past year we developed partnerships with ___ organizations, extending the opportunity for ______ - Youth are exposed to college experience while experiencing the gift of mentorship with law enforcement professionals. Helping Adults with Financial Literacy . Funding from the Wilson Foundation helps us to provide financial literacy and support for emergencials to Asset Limited, Income-Constrained, Employed families to gain stable incomes.

Transportation - * Annual Community Meeting at Aposento Alto with representation from EBR Sheriff's Office, District Attorney's Office, Crime Stoppers, EBR School District. On the other hand, play, creative and physical activities stimulate brain connections and, hence, academic performance. We cannot measure these effects, but we know that providing safe and healthy experiences for children reduces the negative impact of living in a densely populated environment such as the Gardere community. Our middle and high school youths worked during our 8-week summer program and retaining their engagement assures continued leadership development and a commitment to community involvement. Also, the work teaches basic work skills that include punctuality, teamwork, respect for supervision, responsibility among others. Transportation is a major barrier for our youth to gain work experience other than the opportunities.