“Hi my name is Daveyon. I like going to Project MARCH to be with my friends afterschool. I get help with my homework. I like math and spelling.”
Daveyon is just 1 of 60 students that attend our Project MARCH Learning Centers and 1 of approximately 2,000 children and families that we work with each year. Last year, he had the opportunity to get daily help with his homework, eat a healthy snack, attend two plays at Asheville Community Theater, participate in the LEAF In Schools & Streets program and attend many fun field trips such as The Health Adventure and The Arboretum. Daveyon also saw his mother involved in his activities as she volunteered at his Learning Center. Daveyon attended our Summer Camp and went whitewater rafting, hiking, tubing, swimming and experienced nature and activities outside of his community. Daveyon is beating the odds. Because of Project MARCH he has supervision after school, he doesn’t get into trouble and he is making good grades.
The Project MARCH Learning Center is a safe haven afterschool program that provides academic assistance, healthy snacks and enrichment activities for up to 60 at-risk children.
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The Project MARCH staff includes Project POWER/AmeriCorps members. In the mornings the Project POWER/Americorps members work in the elementary schools where the children attend, then the afternoons are spent at Project MARCH learning centers. There are also two Parent Coordinators who work with the families in the mornings and at the Project MARCH Learning Centers in the afternoons.
- It is located within the community to alleviate transportation barrier
- The program is free
- The program incorporates a Summer Camp program
- The program provides holistic help to families through parent involvement and emergency assistance.
Project MARCH strengthens the connection between student, school, teacher, parent and community which is a key element in helping an at-risk child succeed in school and prepare for life. By providing a structured after school program, it also benefits residents of the three apartment complexes by decreasing gang relations, violence, vandalism and drug use within that community.
We track our outcomes on a monthly basis to measure successes or to reevaluate the methods being implemented to ensure successful results for our clients. Success for these programs also includes the programs being fully funded to secure the proper staff and resources needed to implement the program.
Outcomes for 2010-2011:
- 76 students attended Project MARCH Learning Center. Of those 76 students, 59 were continuously enrolled in Project MARCH after school learning centers.
- 98.3% students were promoted to the next grade level
- 100% students learned about character traits such as honesty, respect, integrity, and also learned about the negative effects of bullying, problem solving and responsibility. A reward system for positive reinforcement was implemented at all three learning centers which helped minimize negative behavior issues.
- 86% parents participated in the required attendance of 2 workshops and 79% parents attended 3 or more during the year.
Children First/Communities In Schools Buncombe County
Project MARCH
50 S. French Broad Ave. Ste. #246
Asheville, NC 28801
(828) 259-9717
fax: (828) 281-3308
Barbara Norton–Project MARCH Coordinator
barbaran@childrenfirstbc.org
Interested in volunteering with Project MARCH? Contact
volunteerc@childrenfirstbc.org