United Way of Rhode Island (UWRI) is committed to changing lives and strengthening communities by encouraging lifetime learning. We’ve known for years now that children lose academic skills and knowledge over summer break. United Way’s Hasbro Summer Learning Initiative (HSLI) promotes best practices for summer learning and provides grants to out-of-school time programs across RI. NeighborWorks Blackstone River Valley’s College Ready Communities youth program at the C3 Center was the recipient of one of HSLI’s grants.
This year the College Ready Community (CRC) Program paired up with the UWRI and HSLI to allow 30 of our High School aged participants to intern with professional mentors to receive real world experience for their future careers. The initiative uses STEAM-based (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) internships which incorporate professional development, service learning and financial literacy. The summer internships included:
- Business Concepts with Matt Moylan, owner of Output Management Group and Ciro’s Tavern on Cherry
- Child Development with Tiffany Goulet, a Site Coordinator and Teacher at NWBRV
- Fashion Design with Tina Melo, founder of non-profit organization Melo Project Runway For Youth
- Social Media with Kabir Lambo, a college advisor and social media expert
- Lab Sciences at University of Rhode Island with RI Teacher of the Year, Shannon Donovan
- Nursing Basics with Clarisse Dexter, a Registered Nurse Practitioner
Students earned stipends for their internships while saving money for college in Navigant Credit Union SAFE accounts, a deposit-only savings account designed specifically for youth in NeighborWorks Blackstone River Valley’s College Ready Communities youth program.
The summer learning gains were quite impressive! The percentage change from pre- to post-test scores in literacy and mathematics for youth in the program was a 10.97% increase in literacy and 79.59% increase in mathematics! This was a great testament to the success of the program for our youth to continue their professional development and knowledge gains during the summer. We look forward to continuing this amazing work with UWRI and HSLI in the Summer of 2017!
