2012 program summaryOverview
For the fourth year in a row Oregon Campus Compact, All Hands Raised, and the Corporation for National and Community Service joined together to address the low high school completion rate in the Portland metro area. Currently, only two-thirds of high school students graduate on time.[1] Furthermore, research led by Connected by 25 has shown that the summer between eighth and ninth grade is a critical time for students who are at risk of disconnecting from school. To keep students engaged during the summer months AmeriCorps VISTA Members serve for nine weeks with programs across Multnomah County that focus on preparing rising ninth graders for high school. Through academic classes, enrichment activities, and culturally specific programming these summer experiences help academic priority students to enter high school on the right track. [1] For more information please see: http://www.connectedby25.org/ninth-grade-counts/ Service Sites (16) Centennial High School David Douglas High School Catholic Charities: El Programa Hispano Elevate Oregon Gresham High School Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization (IRCO) Lunatic Fringe Native American Youth and Family Center (NAYA) Neighborhood House Open Meadow: Step Up Police Activities League (PAL) Portland Parks and Recreation Portland Public Schools Self Enhancement Inc. (SEI) Reynolds High School Worksystems Inc. Impact 38 AmeriCorps VISTA Members gave over 13,500 hours of service during the summer of 2012 with an estimated economic value of over $240,000.[1] Throughout the summer, VISTA Members built the capacity of the organizations that they served by: 1) Mentoring and teaching over 1,650 rising ninth graders. 2) Providing support and assistance to 860 parents and caregivers. 3) Developing a wide variety of curriculum including an anti-bullying workshop and a hip-hop class. 4) Securing over $7,200 in grants, cash donations, and in-kind donations. [1] Economic value is calculated by multiplying the number of volunteer hours x $18.85, the estimated dollar value of volunteer time in Oregon per the Independent Sector for 2010. The 2012 VISTA Team: · The team included many current college students as well as recent high school graduates and working adults. There was also a wide variation in racial, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds. The diverse makeup of the VISTA Members allowed them to better connect with students at their sites. · 20% of VISTA Members were alumni of the programs they served with this summer. · 18% of VISTAs had previously served as a Summer VISTA Member with Oregon Campus Compact. Of VISTAs responding to an end of summer survey, over two thirds commented that they would like to serve as a Summer VISTA Member again. · VISTAs on the 2012 Member team represented ten Oregon post-secondary schools including: o Concordia University o Linfield College o Mt. Hood Community College o Oregon State University o Portland Community College o Portland State University o Reed College o University of Oregon o University of Portland o Warner Pacific College Assessment and Evaluation: Sites: Analysis of the partner program survey indicates that site supervisors at each organization had a very positive experience with their VISTAs. They also commented that the rising ninth graders felt supported and encouraged by the VISTA Members. Additionally, supervisors agreed that the VISTAs greatly increased their organization’s capacity to address the needs of low-income families and students. “[Our VISTA] was amazing. She developed compelling and interactive lessons, provided positive mentorship to the youth, and was a great team player always willing to jump in and take on new responsibilities” – 2012 site supervisor “[Our VISTA] did an excellent job connecting with students. The students cited him as the adult with whom they developed the most positive relationship this summer” – 2012 site supervisor AmeriCorps VISTA Members: VISTAs also reported positive experiences with the program. In a survey conducted following the completion of their service they cited feeling more engaged with their community, having increased communication, organization, and team building skills, and understanding more fully how to work successfully in a school district or nonprofit. Additionally, VISTAs reported that they: · Were more aware of challenges in Portland’s educational system, such as large class sizes and economic disparities, and wanted to create sustainable solutions to these challenges. · Planned to pursue careers in education and social work based on their summer experiences. "I can't think of any way I would rather have spent my summer. I loved contributing to an effective program to help students in my community enter high school with greater confidence and likelihood to succeed." – 2012 VISTA Member "My service this summer has further shown me that working with youth is what I was meant for. I am now leaning towards working with high school students, and I am considering more pathways in working with children aside from being a teacher." – 2012 VISTA Member The 2012 VISTA Team: · The team included many current college students as well as recent high school graduates and working adults. There was also a wide variation in racial, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds. The diverse makeup of the VISTA Members allowed them to better connect with students at their sites. · 20% of VISTA Members were alumni of the programs they served with this summer. · 18% of VISTAs had previously served as a Summer VISTA Member with Oregon Campus Compact. Of VISTAs responding to an end of summer survey, over two thirds commented that they would like to serve as a Summer VISTA Member again. · VISTAs on the 2012 Member team represented ten Oregon post-secondary schools including: o Concordia University o Linfield College o Mt. Hood Community College o Oregon State University o Portland Community College o Portland State University o Reed College o University of Oregon o University of Portland o Warner Pacific College Assessment and Evaluation: Sites: Analysis of the partner program survey indicates that site supervisors at each organization had a very positive experience with their VISTAs. They also commented that the rising ninth graders felt supported and encouraged by the VISTA Members. Additionally, supervisors agreed that the VISTAs greatly increased their organization’s capacity to address the needs of low-income families and students. “[Our VISTA] was amazing. She developed compelling and interactive lessons, provided positive mentorship to the youth, and was a great team player always willing to jump in and take on new responsibilities” – 2012 site supervisor “[Our VISTA] did an excellent job connecting with students. The students cited him as the adult with whom they developed the most positive relationship this summer” – 2012 site supervisor AmeriCorps VISTA Members: VISTAs also reported positive experiences with the program. In a survey conducted following the completion of their service they cited feeling more engaged with their community, having increased communication, organization, and team building skills, and understanding more fully how to work successfully in a school district or nonprofit. Additionally, VISTAs reported that they: · Were more aware of challenges in Portland’s educational system, such as large class sizes and economic disparities, and wanted to create sustainable solutions to these challenges. · Planned to pursue careers in education and social work based on their summer experiences. "I can't think of any way I would rather have spent my summer. I loved contributing to an effective program to help students in my community enter high school with greater confidence and likelihood to succeed." – 2012 VISTA Member "My service this summer has further shown me that working with youth is what I was meant for. I am now leaning towards working with high school students, and I am considering more pathways in working with children aside from being a teacher." – 2012 VISTA Member |
I can't think of any way I would rather have spent my summer. I loved contributing to an effective program to help students in my community enter high school with greater confidence and likelihood to succeed." |
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