Submitted by TOGETHER!
Three North Thurston elementary schools will see a continuation and expansion of their after-school program offerings for the next 5 years, but in different hands. Local nonprofit youth development agency TOGETHER! has been awarded a 21st Century Community Learning Center grant to run before-school, after-school and summer Community ClubHouse programs at Lydia Hawk, Meadows and Pleasant Glade. These programs were formerly run by the school district. The grant will also include Community Access Nights for students and families at these schools.
The new Community ClubHouses will build on the successes of North Thurston’s past leadership and will enhance services, enrichment activities and academic programming for high-need students. The ClubHouse goals include: 1) improved academic achievement; 2) increased student engagement in learning; and 3) reducing social and emotional risk factors that negatively affect student performance.
“North Thurston Public Schools is thrilled to be able to extend and strengthen these valuable programs under the leadership of TOGETHER!,”said Raj Manhas, Superintendent of NTPS. “These community-based programs will support both the social emotional and academic learning needs of our students and help build connections to the families as well.”
This grant will significantly increase both the budget and staff capacity of TOGETHER!, a local youth development nonprofit. This September, TOGETHER! is celebrating 25 years of being in this community helping children and families. They have experience running after-school and summer programs in both school and community locations.
In addition to the 3 new sites in North Thurston, they offer a variety of programs and education at all school levels in nearly every Thurston County school district, and limited programming in 4 additional counties. Go to www.thurstontogether.org to learn more.
