October 9 — Georgia’s Department of Education approved LIFT Youth Center Inc. in Ringgold for funding under the competitive Building Opportunities in Out-of-School Time (BOOST) grant program.

“LIFT Youth Center Inc. is honored to be one of 104 organizations – four statewide organizations with statewide reach and 100 community organizations – that have received a BOOST grant. , funded by American Rescue Plan (ARP) funds, “the center said in a New Release.

LIFT Youth Center Inc. offers free extracurricular activities to students in grades 6 to 12, fostering an environment of inclusion, positive self-esteem and self-discovery, while facilitating inner growth to prepare them for future success.

“The BOOST grants are a critical part of our strategy to address learning loss in the wake of the pandemic,” said Public School Superintendent Richard Woods. “These 104 organizations will provide opportunities for students that support both academic learning and the needs of the child as a whole. I appreciate the Georgia Statewide Afterschool Network for bringing its expertise to this initiative.

The BOOST grant will allow LIFT to better serve Catoosa County Grades 6 to 12 students with strong programming at no cost to LIFT students and families. The absence of fees for these services further provides access to what has become high quality programming, family support and student services.

LIFT programs

All LIFT programming falls under one of the centre’s five REACH categories (Leisure, Education, Art, Community, Health).

Recreation

– Games room with billiards, table football, board / card games

– Outdoor activities such as basketball, gaga ball, 9 square in the air, ping pong, etc.

– Book clubs and library for individual reading

– Music, movies, video games

– Yoga classes for students and parents / guardians

– Field trips and outdoor adventures, etc.

Education

– Practical life skills: job interviews, CV, car maintenance, hygiene, etc.

The story continues

– Monthly financial literacy workshops

– Exposure to career opportunities or trades with local professionals

– Free tutoring and have a place to do homework

– Technological and educational resources (ACT / SAT preparation, technical center, etc.)

– Mini-library and lessons, co-organized by the Catoosa County Library

– Language courses such as American Sign Language

Art

– Photography, videography and digital editing

– Music and lighting studio – recording studio with production and editing lessons

– Free guitar lessons thanks to “Guitars for Kids” and the Songbirds Foundation, etc.

– Maker’s Space – fully stocked with crafting supplies of all kinds

– Arts and crafts classes

– Functional stage – open mic evenings and concerts by local musicians

– Improvisation and acting workshops

– Digital art and creative writing projects

Community

– Community service projects carried out by students each month

– Adult and student mentoring for anyone interested

– Connect students with civic leaders for community projects and events

– Weekly support groups for students and parents

– Team building exercises with student leadership and in small groups

Health

– Healthy snacks offered every day

– Healthy cooking classes offered every week

– Workshops in mental health and local references

– Reconciliation of resources: access requirements, mental or physical health

– Workshops for parents / guardians offered monthly

– Hosting and referencing of community resources

At LIFT, students live new experiences through its REACH programs, engage more fully in life and develop healthy lifestyles. Socialization opportunities are needed to support socio-emotional maturity into healthy adulthood.

“The Georgia Statewide Afterschool Network congratulates BOOST grantees and looks forward to supporting them throughout the grant cycle to ensure that young people in Georgia receive high quality after-school and summer enrichment,” said said GSAN director Katie Landes. “The fellows were chosen through a competitive application process, and we strongly believe in their potential to expand access, reduce barriers, and improve the quality of after-school and summer programs across Georgia, especially for children most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. “

LIFT’s after-school programs and activities are designed to help students develop their strengths and resilience. Studies have shown that the more assets young people have, the less likely they are to engage in risky or illegal behavior and the more likely they are to succeed in school. LIFT will strive to leverage evidence-based practices to help young people build the building blocks they need to grow up healthy, caring and responsible.

At the Claudia Nance Rollins Youth Center in Ringgold, students are SURVEYED:

Loved as they are

– seeing and accepting others without judgment or criticism

– working with multigenerational adults to build trust and support

Inspired to be more

– discovering gifts and talents in a myriad of courses and activities

– having a safe environment to explore, discover and develop

Found in the community

– joining peer groups who can demonstrate genuine support

– making a difference in their schools, cities and neighborhoods

Confidence to make the difference

– empowering students for leadership positions and service opportunities – expecting them to contribute and have a positive impact

Each day of the after-school programming will feature scheduled REACH workshops, as well as multiple options for art, music, games, outdoor recreation, tutoring, mentoring, reading or homework help. This asset building, combined with a “loved, inspired, found and trusted” (LIFT) approach to relationships, will build resilience and strengthen students.

LIFT creates a safe space for students who perform well on the autism spectrum, for those who struggle with depression and social anxiety, and for those who have struggled to overcome the effects of isolation during the pandemic. LIFT is passionate about the efforts of Georgian communities to play an active role in the long-term recovery of the state from the COVID-19 crisis and is honored to be able to work with excellence through the BOOST grant.