CITIZENS ABOUT PROGRESS
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Mission Statement
Citizens About Progress exists to develop and implement projects and outreach programs targeted towards youth and their families to meet various needs physical, mental, academic and economic. Helping youth become productive and progressive citizens, "develop lifelong learners and responsible citizens for a global society."
About This Cause
Citizen About Progress (CAP) was incorporated on January 5, 2020 and received IRS tax-exemption in March 2020. It is the only community-based afterschool program in Springhill, LA. The idea was planted after the president consistently saw youth in schools and colleges struggling with debt that would eventually hinder them from progressing in life. Evidences of college debt, bad credit from bad spending and bad money management habits, poor work habits leading to constant employment terminations were all too often characteristic in his clients. So, he decided to do something about it. Terrell Mendenhall, B.S., A.A., is a Campus Recruiter for Our Money Matters, a project targeting students at Historically Black Colleges and Universities in Louisiana with money management education to mitigate the problems listed above. Mr. Mendenhall decided to take the project objectives and teach younger youth as an intervention and prevention strategy. He and a few other young adults taught and mentored 35 youth, 20 unduplicated and 15 new in 2023-2024 school year, since incorporating and decided to apply for funding to continue and expand the services to community youth in the low-income communities in Springhill, LA. The main goals and objectives are focused on preparing target youth and their families with the necessary supports or wrap-around services needed to make responsible and progressive financial choices about their futures. Included in the objectives is teaching youth to give back as contributing citizens leading their community to good works to improve the quality of life for all. Current programs include homework assistance and tutoring, financial literacy to include budget management, proficiently accessing banking services, use of money, managing debt and benefits of good credit scores. Field trips are incentives to expose and expand youth awareness of opportunities in their future. Funding will allow the organization and its current staff of 3 part-time and 2 trained and compassionate volunteers to expand offerings to include more days and up to 35 youth participants ages 5-12 years of age. To date the accomplishments include 50 youth that have been exposed to money-management education, students who have passed their literacy and numeracy exams and heightened satisfaction with the services provided. The students also shared an interest in attending colleges and/or trade schools and know what needs to be done to get there. Grant funding of $50,000 for Citizens About Progress will cover expenses for a 12-month period to include office supplies and equipment, tutoring materials, stipends for vendor services, staff compensation, rent, utilities, water, phone and internet. Youth About Progress is an ongoing program. Target Population: The racial composition in Springhill (Webster Parish) is Whites-62.25%, Blacks 36.54% and Native Americans, 0.73 percent. There are approximately 1207 children under the age of 18 years of age. The program will serve 25 youth in middle school to high school grades. Issues: Webster Parish School Board's (WPSB) mission is to "develop lifelong learners and responsible citizens for a global society." The vision is to nurture creativity, collaboration ...problem solving and critical thinking in all students to help them become college and career ready. This is also the desire of Citizen About Progress and drives the activities of the programs and services. Springhill's total minority enrollment is 42% and 40% of students are economically disadvantaged. Unemployment rate is 6%, the same as the national average. There are three public schools and no private schools. SpringhiIl schools spend $10,181 per students to the US average of $12,383. Educational attainment and graduating students on time continues to be a challenge nationwide. Brown Elementary school report card is "D". The North Webster High School reports a "C+" with 62% passing in reading and math with a graduation rate of 87%. Research states that the 21st Century workforce needs employees properly educated and prepared for global exposure prior to entering the workforce. Youth in rural communities lack sufficient supports that can help them succeed in every walk of life. The program runs Tuesday and Wednesday from 3:30pm-5:30 pm during school semesters and summers from 10am - 2 p.m. Tuesday - Thursday for four weeks in June. 1. 25 or 100% of project youth will enroll in the program within 30 days of opening. 2. 20 or 80% will increase literacy and numeracy comprehension by one grade point by end of project period. a. Provide afterschool literacy and core subjects tutoring, homework assistance, group projects, socio-recreational projects. 3. Five (5) programs and events of value and purpose to build strong citizenship characters are implemented by the end of project period. a. Programs focus on life skills, social needs that promote internal assets through personal guidance and specialized programs in etiquette, financial literacy, character education, career exploration 4. Five (5) activities are developed for lasting personal and professional relationships and opportunities for local collaborations by end of project period. a. Provide support groups, social-recreational activities (sports), exposing youth to environments outside their normal neighborhoods through field trips, college tours, community events that support culturally relevant activities 5. Develop 28 or 80% of participants into servant-leaders to impact the growth and development of local economies in North Louisiana and the state. a. Two opportunities for active engagement in local community life provides an important context for growth and reducing marginalizing of youth's capacities, development of values and identity and develop positive relationships between youth and adults. Programs and services will benefit the region by helping the schools meet their missions and provide youth with relevant skills to become productive, employable citizens impacting their community in positive ways. Define and Measure: 1. 3Students will be enrolled in the program by the end of the funding period. - Enrollment forms, daily sign-in sheets, 2. 35 Students will receive full menu of services each day of attendance - sign in forms for each activity, photos, 3. 28 or 80% of 35 students will increase in literacy and numeracy one grade point by end of funding period - pre-post tests, school grade reports, sign-in sheets 4. Participants will receive 5 events of value and purpose for character building, sign in sheets, photos 5. 5 professional and relationship activities - sign-in sheets, photos 6. 80% of participants developed into servant leaders - curriculum, activities sign in sheets, photos, community activities Community Impact: Citizens About Progress' desires to improve the quality of life through financial management and ability to purchase homes. start businesses and complete college education. The project will help schools meet their missions of preparing youth for their futures with relevant skills for productive citizenship. The board is actively engaged in community activities and modeling for residents to importance of activism to address community needs. Children are being engaged in community activities so they learn to give back to a community that supports them. Nelson Mandela, quoted as saying, "Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world", speaks to the value of a good education and how it can lessen the challenges one will face in life. It helps people become better citizens, get a better-paid job, helps in individual growth and development. Therefore, properly educated youth can shape a better society to live in by knowing and respecting rights, laws, and regulations. After school programs can support social, emotional, cognitive and academic development, reduce risky behaviors, promote physical health and provide a safe and supportive environment for children and youth. The Justice Policy Institute found that the most expensive confinement institution for a young person in 48 states was $588 per day and $214,620 per year. In Louisiana in the 2018-2019 school year, the average per pupil expenditure was $12,359. So the economic impact of the savings of tax dollars spent on adjudicating and confining youth is far more than the cost of educating them. CAPS will do all to ensure that its youth will have the necessary training and exposure for them to make good choices about their lifestyles to become productive citizens. Sustainability: Citizens About Progress is committed to seeing this project become a long-term project for the Springhill community. To do this, the board has planned fundraisers, business solicitations, board contributions, additional grant writing, sponsorships to meet the financial requirements of its tax exemption and sustainability of the project on an annual basis. Nondiscrimination Policy: 1. CAP's enrollment forms, employment application and volunteer form has a non-discrimination statement at the bottom to ensure that staff, volunteers, parents/guardians are aware and can hold the organization accountable. 2. During orientation and board trainings, the policy is reviewed and each board member has signed the policy attesting to the fact that they have read, understand and will uphold the policy in all its activities. CAP will also put the Policy/statement on the website. Collaborators: A major goal of CAP is to enlist at least three collaborating organization by the end of the calendar year. CAP currently has individuals that volunteer from other organizations but does not have organizations that currently participate in the program activities.