WHAT WE DO ...
Feed the Hungry
Care for the Sick
Nurture Children
Support Families
Strengthen Neighborhoods
941 Princeton Street
Akron, Ohio 44311
330.434.0110
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Children
Our presence in the inner-city dictates that our programs place special emphasis on helping to
decrease crime in the area, protecting the children who are most vulnerable. Much of this work
is accomplished in cooperation with the public safety forces, local schools, neighborhood
groups and in conjunction with other existing programs.
The OPEN M Education Department continues with Early Intervention activities; these
programs provide extended learning, social, recreational and personal life skills development
for students during non-school hours. This program is not a continuation of the school day; it
is an opportunity for enrichment through the experiences of learning. It incorporates a strong
partnership of school, family and community members that collaborate and contribute to the
growth of students as they mature into caring, competent and responsible adults. The
opportunities are developed through the Reading Club, an extension of Akron Public Schools
100 Book Challenge. The tutoring and homework assistance program provides useful tools
that enhance study skills for reading, writing, word recognition and opportunity for improving
socialization. Students in grads 1 - 8 enjoy learning in a safe and clean affirming environment.
Currently (2008) we have 16 students that will attend 32 sessions of tutoring for 9 months for a
total of 288 hours.
HOMEWORK CLINIC / TUTORING PROGRAM
After-School Homework Clinic and the Tutoring Program allows youth to take part in
innovative, pro-social activities during non-school hours Monday through Thursday from
2:30 pm t0 4:30 pm. With the assistance of volunteers from area high schools and the Club Z
(certified tutors provided by "No Child Left Behind" program) these students are given the
opportunity to improve reading, math and general problem-solving skills — and gain exposure
to positive role models as well.
DIAMOND LADIES CLUB
This is a pre-teen club for females ages 12 - 15. This program focuses on abstinence, improving
socialization skills, career preparation workshops, tools to enhance educational study skills,
dealing with peers and peer pressures, problem solving and more. We explore making healthy
choices, choosing positive role models and building our self esteem. The ladies are exposed to
topics of educational goals, parenting (through the Flour Baby project), photography, making
positive choices, friendship, cooking, sewing, managing money, grief/loss & attachment, and
parent/child relationships. Through involving parents, positive role models, guest speakers,
community project field trips, and the committed talents of both men and women these
Diamond Ladies are given the opportunity shine into successful adults.
MALE MENTORING / SPORTS / RECREATION
Our objective is to give the neighborhood youth an alternative to violence, drugs and alcohol
due to a lack of access to needed recreational resources and inadequate activities for youth.
We provide them with an instructional program alternative in the after-school hours. In
addition to being a benefit to parents who are working during the after-school hours, the
program give the youths positive role models and a higher value of social interaction with one
another and with adults. This program is held Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:30 pm until
5:30 pm for ages 8 through 12.
LEARNING FOR THE FUN OF IT
This pre-summer program is held Monday through Friday from 11:30 am to 2:30 pm for three
weeks in the month of June. This programs allows children ranging from grades 1 through 8
the opportunity to retain and build upon their skills they learned during the school year to
continue to grow and become an asset in their community.
SUMMER CAMP
For six weeks each year, we provide a comprehensive recreation program for over one
hundred inner-city children. Staffed by teen-aged and adult volunteers, the children are given
breakfast, lunch and snacks while following an active schedule of field trips, sports, crafts,
games, music and meeting new friends.
Persons are invited to "Adopt-A-Kid for Camp". With a modest donation, caring people can
sponsor a child for the summer camp. The children send pictures and regular notes to their
sponsors as a way to share their experience and to say 'thank you'. Parents and sponsors gather
on the last day to hear the children tell their stories and to celebrate the time away from the
street.
- Monday, July 7th through Friday, August 15th 9:00 am to 3:00 pm
("Before Care" - 8:00 am to 9:00 am AND "After Care" - 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm)
- Registration deadline is: TO BE ANNOUNCED
- Some activities in 2007 included: roller skating; movie days and field trips to
Cuyahoga Valley National Parks, Akron Metro Parks, The Nature Realm, and
Geauga Lake & Wildwater Kingdom.
For additional information or to volunteer, please contact:
OPEN M
Opportunity Parish
Ecumenical Neighborhood
Ministry
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A Beacon of
Hope
in the Heart
of the
City
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