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Support Great Kids Explorer Club Volusia County-Invest In Our Future
There’s good news for great kids and parents of great kids in Volusia County Florida!
Great Kids Explorer Club, a not-for-profit 501(C)(3) organization is partners with Volusia County schools, churches and civic organizations in order to provide no charge after school programs for elementary school youngsters who are considered at-risk and economically disadvantaged.
The Great Kids Explorer Club programs are designed to inspire children of elementary school age to improve their lives through building a better self image, improved behaviors, more productive attitudes toward learning, developing the ability to handle life’s challenges and strengthen their academic skills. Important qualities such as self-respect, respect of others, and a desire to do their best are instilled in these youngsters through interaction with teams of dedicated, passionate volunteers.
In the free program the youngsters learn skills useful for a lifetime. Among those skills the ability to deal positively and effectively with difficult issues they are confronted with now and those they will face in the future. The great kids who participate in the club have shown impressive improvement. They earn better grades, and they are more confident. These students are better equipped to make healthy decisions. We are hoping with this training they’ll be able to make better decisions that will determine their income and lifestyle as adults.
Through positive reinforcement and acknowledgment of good behavior, interesting group activities and tutoring at no charge, provided by a team of reliable volunteers from across Volusia County, these children receive the tools they need to be successful productive adult citizens.
We hear the Great Kids organization has given hundreds of low-income children tutoring in reading and math. These are essential skills many adults do not have. We think there ought to be a Great Grown-ups Literacy Club for adults who lack these basic abilities.
We’ve been told how the club’s volunteers teach life skills, and supply social skills training to these elementary school children. It’s all done at no cost to the schools or the families served.
Friends of the organization tell us that in 2008, in the “Bridges for Success” education project of the Great Kids organization, there were 187 children enrolled in tutoring and enrichment Great Kids programs across Volusia County, including programs in Ormond Beach and Port Orange.
We’ve heard that because funding is a problem there is no program for schools in Daytona Beach at this time. If you are a teacher, parent or otherwise interested adult who knows students in elementary school who may qualify to be in the Great Kids Explorer Club program and you can provide transportation for their participation contact the club.
Funding is always an issue for an all volunteer program. That is why this Sunday afternoon, May 3, 2009 at 1pm at the Pirate’s Island Miniature Golf Course, located 3420 S Atlantic Ave., Daytona Beach, Florida 32118; there will be a fund raising event for this organization which fulfills an important need. Tickets are $10 and include snacks and soft drinks. We think that’s a minuscule amount to pay for an investment in the children, our future.
For more details contact Great Kids Explorer Club Volusia County. Telephone 386.676.0276 and ask for Sandy Rakes, the Executive Director. She’ll give you information about this event and the Cinco de Mayo fundraiser on Tuesday, May 5, 2009.
By the way, we think all kids are great kids. They just need access to opportunity, guidance and a reliable, consistent support system to reach their full potential.
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