Submitted by Lissette Tougas, Settlement Youth Worker

Happy Spring, everyone! It has been a very successful, and very busy, few weeks for youth programs at ICA. In particular, we have some exciting news to share regarding changes to programs and new offerings.

Youth Community Project

We are happy to announce that our annual Youth Community Project launched on March 10, 2016. Our new Settlement Youth Worker, Lissette Tougas, cooked and prepared a traditional El Salvadorian meal for the new occasion and it was a huge success. Aside from the yummy food, Youth Community Project enables newcomer youth and volunteers to engage in their community. This unique project will continue for six weeks and is aimed at newcomer youth aged 15 to 25 years old.

This project is special in that it is almost entirely youth-led and this year was no different! The youth in attendance did a fantastic job of outlining their goal as a large group and various ideas on how to effectively implement them. Not only are they getting to know the social issues topical in their immediate geographical community of Victoria, but they are building strong citizenship skills and empathy. Lissette is looking forward to seeing the growth of both the participants and of the lives they will impact.

Homework Club-Changes to Format

We have responded to participant, family and volunteer feedback and are anticipating a growing need for academic support to end the school year. Therefore, we have decided to change hours and programming for Homework Club to every Wednesday starting March 30, 2016 bringing an end to the group alternating format. We are excited that more children and youth will be able to receive one-on-one help from our volunteer tutors! In addition, you can expect the following age group formats:

*Ages 8 to 11 years old:

Arrival
3:30pm-4:00pm (Free play and Snack Time)
4:00pm-5:00pm (Homework Focus Time)

Pick Up
5:00pm

Classroom: Child minding room; Please drop off your child directly to this room.

*Ages 12 to 18 years old:

Arrival
4:00pm-5:00pm (Homework Focus Time)
5:00pm-5:30pm (Optional Conversation Practice Time)

Classroom 3: Please come directly to this room.

We look forward to the next semester.