Registration deadline nears for SFC SUCCESS program
The last day to register children for SUCCESS (Students Under Compassionate Community-Endorsed Supervised Services) this semester is tomorrow by 5:30 p.m.
The program concentrates on positive youth development by scheduling supervised services for youth, focusing on pro-social activities, accountability, community pride and restorative justice with an emphasis on education and employment, according to Evetta Whitby who oversees the program.
"We are dedicated to reducing juvenile recidivism and decreasing the progression from the juvenile justice system to the criminal adult system," said Whitby.
The program has completed its first year of operation and is focusing on long-term goals for the next semester.
"In this one full year it has been a great success," added Whitby.
"We officially start back Monday, Sept. 19, at 4 p.m. and will continue until 6 p.m.," said Whitby, who added parents may drop their children off at the Rock Center on East Broadway.
Over the summer, children in the program participated in arts and craft, team-building programs, resume building and more, according to Annie Norman, one of the program’s volunteers.
Norman also said that this semester volunteers hope to help the children improve their reading and writing skills.
Norman said the program is currently working to bring in mentors who are currently high school basketball players.
"That's also where we will be implementing "Real Men Read,’” said Whitby.
Whitby said the program was inspired after the SUCCESS staff attended a leadership seminar in Louisiana that discussed the impact men have on young readers.
"It spoke about how kids gravitate to men, especially those who read a little more, and that tends to help children in their reading" said Whitby.
She said SUCCESS will be recruiting other male volunteers, such as Forrest City Police Chief Ronald Broussard and Forrest City Fire Chief Shane Dallas, to come in and sit with groups of youth to not only read to them, but discuss favorite books and
potential issues they may have.
"They are on board as soon as we can possibly get it going," said Whitby. "We want to make sure not only the basketball guys will be mentors here but also our officers and firemen. We are looking forward to that."
Norman said the peer mentors will also be able to use the mentorship as community service hours on scholarship applications.
"We will also have Girls Circle, Community Circle, Food from Farmers, and other programs that we want to implement into our long term goals," said Whitby.
“We want to utilize what we have here to help our children grow," agreed Norman.
Norman said the group also utilizes volunteers from local churches and other groups to mentor children.
"When you have those adults come in, sit with these children one on one and read with them, children get excited to have that interaction," said Norman.
She and Whitby agreed that adult peers are also important to helping children be “successful.”
"But, there cannot be success without a U and an S," said Norman. "It is going to take all of us to make it a success. It takes a village."
Whitby said this semester they are also planning to host a soul food night to introduce children to traditional southern soul foods such as collard greens.
"We've had children who've never eaten greens or cabbage," said Whitby, adding the program always feed those who attend before they are taken home.
Whitby said program workers are committed to doing whatever it takes to help a child grow.
Norman added many of the special programs will be used as incentives to promote good grades and behavior at their schools and at home.
"We, of course, will also continue to promote acts of kindness, financial literacy and reentry care recommendations from Judge (Kathie) Hess," said Whitby.
Whitby said their intake officer is good at assigning individuals the correct number of hours at the SUCCESS program.
“We've had three of those recommendations graduate high school," said Whitby.
The intensive supervision and support provided by the SUCCESS Program seeks to ensure youth monitoring and community safety, while also addressing needs and building positive connections, according to Whitby.
Parents wanting to enroll their children may pick up applications at the Rock Center.