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Patriots' Gateway |
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This year marks the 7th year that Patriots’ Gateway Community Center has started doing its’ own programming. The invitation into the venture began in conjunction with a grant that we applied for and received from Illinois Teen Reach. This programming provides structured activities for at-risk youth between the ages of 6 and 17 during non-school hours. Core services provided include: improving academic performance, life skills education, parental involvement, recreation/sports and cultural/artistic activities, and positive adult mentors. In this program youth have an opportunity to learn dance, woodworking, music, choir, sewing and cooking. Youth receive snacks and a full meal each day, which is supported by the Rockford Orthopedics Association and the Northern Illinois Food Bank. Success in school and physically and medically fit children are the by-products of this after school program. Through prevention focused activities, Teen Reach seeks to expand the range of choices and opportunities that enable, empower and encourage youth to achieve positive growth and development, improve expectations and capacities for future success and avoid and /or reduce risk-taking behavior. This philosophy ties in with Patriots’ Mission Statement. Studies indicate that children who attend quality after-school programming have better peer relations, emotional adjustment, school grades and conduct than their peers who are unsupervised after school. |
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