Sioux Empire United Way - Your Gift in Action

January 2007
After School Impact Area

Your Gift in Action is a monthly update from the Sioux Empire United Way. The newsletter demonstrates how donor contributions work throughout the year. Each month focuses on a different community need/issue addressed by United Way and our volunteers.

Every dollar truly matters and makes a difference in a life. Here's how your contribution has been working this month ...

During the month of December 30, students ages 5-21 attended Liberty Center's after school program. Students with disabilities and their siblings are able to attend this safe, fun program at four sites in Sioux Falls. During the month, the students made Christmas ornaments, baked holiday cookies, and were able to go bowling during the Christmas break.
An average of 280 students a day participated in the YMCA's after school program during December. Students attend the after school program at the five public middle schools in Sioux Falls. Students participate in various gym activities, arts and crafts, receive help with homework and more.
96 students attended Dell Rapid's Community Haven before and/or after school during the month of December. With the recent snowfall, students will be participating in a sledding field trip this week!

Agencies & Programs

Dell Rapids Community Haven

First Methodist Church
Kidstop

Liberty Center

Volunteers of America
Youth Link

YMCA
Middle School After School

Youth Enrichment Services
Before & After School KARE 4

For more information about After School Programs or to volunteer call the HELP!Line Center at 211 (or 605-339-4357) or visit http://www.helplinecenter.org/

Need for After School Programs

According to local and national law officials the highest level of incidence for crime, drug, sexual, and alcohol related activities among middle students is between 3:30pm and 6:00pm on weekdays.

79% of children in South Dakota between 6 and 17 live in households where both parents work.

An estimated 28% of children in South Dakota take care of themselves after school.

Impact Programs Make

Children who attend an after school program miss fewer days of school, have better homework completion, better school behavior, and higher test scores.

Children who attend high quality programs have better peer relations, emotional adjustment, conflict resolution skills, grades and conduct in school compared to their peers who are not in after school programs.

The Decision Makers

There are currently 8 volunteers on the After School Impact Team. These individuals provide stewardship to United Way contributors while planning, setting priorities, distributing funds and developing collaborative community solutions.

This team specifically addresses the needs of elementary and middle school students when not in school: before school, after school, school holidays, and vacation days. The team is currently in the process of allocating funds to meet the growing and changing needs of After School Programs in the Sioux Empire.

New Mental Health Resource for Parents

A new online resource offers help for parents and families facing a mental, emotional or behavioral problem. This South Dakota Online Mental Health Directory, available at www.sdsuicideprevention.org/mhdirectory, was created so that families throughout the state can find clinicians and agencies in their area that offer mental health services.

The directory, which can be searched by city, clinician’s name or mental health clinic, was developed by the HELP!Line Center and funded by the Wellmark Foundation as part of an ongoing children's mental health awareness project initiated by South Dakota Voices for Children.

It is estimated that as many as one in five children or adolescents may have a mental health problem that can be identified and treated. At least one in 20 young people may have a “serious emotional disturbance.”

The directory is hosted by the South Dakota Suicide Prevention Web site, as a courtesy to the initiative. “We are most grateful for that support,” Randall said, noting that as with most medical conditions, early intervention is most effective with mental disorders.