Community is a term that can be used to describe both broad and specific groups of people around the world. Community is derived from the Latin word communitas, which can be translated as partnership, kinship, or participation. We are influenced by and part of many different types of community and community based organizations in our day to day lives. So many in fact, that we may not even recognize them. Here are some examples:
- Geographic communities
- Communities of culture
- Community organizations
- Faith based communities
- Clubs & associations
- Internet communities
According to the National League of Cities, here are five characteristics that make a city family friendly.......
1) Quality school programs
- Sports--football, soccer, track
- Performing Arts--band, drama
- Creative Arts--painting, crafts
- Access to parks
- Beaches
- Green space within the city
- Law enforcement
- Neighborhood watch
- Local laws
- Lion’s club
- Community Gardens
- City or suburbs
- Rural or gated community
All of the aforementioned characteristics and examples listed above are definitive hallmarks of strong communities. And in essence, they demonstrate the great value we naturally place on being part of a vibrant community. And if you will, take notice of the broad range of services and safe infrastructures we strive towards in the above list. From that alone we can realize that the success of each of these items has a great deal to do with the participation of many members of society and their interest in these matters.
And the same is true concerning the socialization of children!
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Community has many functions when it comes to interaction with children. For example, one purpose of community groups is to introduce children to new roles. Roles as diverse as being a caretaker/volunteer at a nursing home to being a team leader in a group such as the Scouts. Another way community is strongly involved in the socialization process is as a result of children's greatest method of learning, which is modeling. Based on our interactions among one another and those directed towards children, behaviors that may stick with an individual for the rest of their lives are formed. What is important, is that both of these situations lend the opportunity for children to try out new roles and allow them to broaden their range of experience.
It is also important to remember the specific support systems that contribute to the overall health of a community and child. After parents, people in a neighborhood, both adults AND children have the second greatest ability to influence a child’s behavior. While these roles can be interchangeable, most often adults play the part of role model, while peers provide “acceptable” models for behavior and interaction.
There are two types of support systems, that are ideally at a child's disposal. The first being informal, which includes family, friends, and neighbors. During this time, play is open and free. It involves a great deal of imitation, modeling, and practicing basic skills. The second type of support system is formal and occurs in a structured setting, utilizing the involvement of a teacher of some sort. Community clubs, as will be discussed over the next few sections, are a perfect example of positive formal support.
One club, which I think is an asset to the community, is the 4-H club. Started in 1912, this organization is a youth empowering program with one of the most positive and meaningful pledges I have read. It goes as follows:
I pledge my head to clearer thinking,
my heart to greater loyalty,
my hands to larger service
and my health to better living,
for my club, my community, my country, and my world.
my heart to greater loyalty,
my hands to larger service
and my health to better living,
for my club, my community, my country, and my world.
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For more than 100 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of America has been changing and saving young lives, providing hope and opportunity for kids who need them most. Today, some 4,300 Clubs serve some 4.8 million young people through Club membership and community outreach. The Boys and Girls Club of America have developed Project Learn: The Educational Enhancement Program (EEP), a program designed with five major components: homework help and tutoring, high yielding learning and leisure activities, parent involvement, collaboration with schools, and incentives. In addition the club programs and services promote and enhance the development of boys and girls by instilling a sense of competence, usefulness, belonging and influence. In addition, The Boys and Girls Club are a safe place to learn and grow- all while having fun. They believe that in every community, boys and girls are left to find their own recreation and companionship in the streets. An increasing number of children are at home with no adult supervision. Young people need to know that someone cares about them.
CalSERVERS
Wright Charter School partners with CalSERVES to provide support programs to qualified students that extend from early in the morning until late in the afternoon. These programs employ college student AmeriCorps members, who make a year-long commitment to provide support to our students.
The program includes:
- CalSERVES after School: The CalSERVES after school program provides youth a safe and productive place to be from the end of the school day until 6 PM Monday-Friday. This program features reading instruction, homework support, math and science programs, Character in education, nutrition/ physical education, service learning, and a variety of engaging enrichment activities.
- CalSERVES Literacy Tutoring: The literacy tutoring program provides one-on-one reading tutoring 4 days per week to support struggling readers. This program supports students’ with individualized instruction and intensive support to promote skill development and a love of reading. (www.calserves.org)
The YMCA
Today, the Y engages more than 10,000 neighborhoods across the U.S. As the nation’s leading nonprofit committed to helping people and communities to learn, grow and thrive, our contributions are both far-reaching and intimate—from influencing our nation’s culture during times of profound social change to the individual support we provide an adult learning to read. By nurturing the potential of every child and teen, improving the nation’s health and well-being, and supporting and serving our neighbors, the Y ensures that everyone has the opportunity to become healthier, more confident, connected and secure. http://www.ymca.net ________________________________________________________
These programs have had a tremendous transformation, due to the always changing family dynamics. The YMCA now engages in more than 10,000 neighborhoods across the U.S. As the nation’s leading nonprofit committed to helping people and communities to learn, grow and thrive. Their contributions are both far-reaching and intimate—from influencing our nation’s culture during times of profound social change to the individual support we provide an adult learning to read. As well as supporting positive goals, afterschool programs can also lessen risky behaviors, such as drug, alcohol, and tobacco use, by providing young people with positive and healthy alternatives. The afterschool hours are the time that students are most likely to experiment with drugs, alcohol, and tobacco and engage in other unsafe or dangerous behaviors. When these kids have a place to go that is staffed by caring adults, they are much less likely to engage in this kind of unhealthy behavior. The middle school years are a time when kids are particularly vulnerable to peer pressure. By simply giving these kids an alternative, afterschool programs can help steer them in healthier directions. The AmeriCorps/ CalSERVERS project was designed to address the significant challenges faced by California communities due to the recent economic downturn. Through their program, teams of AmeriCorps members will be placed in communities to develop volunteer programs, harnessing the desire to serve to directly impact communities in need. Specifically, these non-profits will focus on providing services to children and their families. CalSERVERS program begun in July 1, 2009. Their 70 full time AmeriCorps members are generating 3,500 volunteers which are building an infrastructure resulting in servicing an additional 7,000 clients.
Importance of Community and its effects on children
Afterschool programs may keep young people from committing crimes and from juvenile delinquency, and may prevent them from being the victim of violent crime. According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the hours immediately after school dismissal are when young people are the most likely to commit or be victimized by serious criminal acts. [FBI, National Incident-Based Reporting System] In fact, the juvenile crime rate triples between 3:00 and 6:00 pm. After school programs can offer a safe and enjoyable place for young people who might otherwise find themselves in dangerous and unsupervised situations. After school programs strengthen schools, families, and communities. According to the Coalition for Community Schools, when communities come together to address the need for afterschool programs, new family-school-community partnerships can form, benefiting all involved. Research has shown that the when families become more involved with schools, the students in those schools do better. The creation of afterschool programs has spurred such changes in communities across the country.
In addition, communities that use a community-based, collaborative approach to improving afterschool programs developed their own local leadership and the infrastructure needed to sustain these programs. Once members of a community see that they have the ability to work together to make positive changes, they can apply this skill to other pressing community concerns. A community where various members support and care for each other is a healthier community for everyone. Afterschool programs can help create true "community schools" that serve the entire community, not just school kids. Once communities come together to address the need for afterschool programs for children and youth, they are more likely and able to address the needs of other members of the community as well. Instead of just serving children and youth, schools can become a center for adult services as well, providing an array of services in response to community needs. For example, a school might host an adult sports league, offer E.S.L classes, or provide classes in parenting. On the other hand, while working as a Para-educator I see the direct benefits this program offers to the students at Wright Charter School. I see the direct results of having a safe place where they children can have fun, while getting assistance with their homework. And while many students are been assisted with their school projects and homework, the benefit of having a young role model to look out, it is in my opinion the best example they can receive; while achieving success in school.
