DC TRUST Guide 1023 - Children & Youth Investment Trust ...

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COMMUNITY CONNECTION
It takes a village to raise a child. And it takes a community to bring out the best in afterschool
programming. While young people are undeniably our focus, reaching out to
families, schools, libraries, law enforcement, recreation centers, local businesses, places of
worship, neighborhood organizations, policymakers and community leaders can only make
our programs even more effective. As well as creating the two-way connection between
young people and the communities that they live in, reaching out also helps promote an
asset-based image of youth and gives our young people an asset-based image of our
community. It gives our programs the kind of visibility and partnerships that help them
flourish.
The following are key elements to building strong community connections:
1. Program invites families (i.e. parents, relatives, extended family members,
caregivers and guardians) to become active partners in the life of the program.
a. Staff acknowledges and/or welcomes families when they come on site.
b. There is evidence of the program making meaningful opportunities for involvement to
parents (e.g. as program volunteers or administrative staff, workshop leaders, aides,
committee members, mentors).
c. Program creates opportunities and access to information for families to increase family
ability to advocate for the benefit of their young people and to learn how to navigate
the systems that affect them.
d. There is evidence that the program contacts families on a regular basis with information,
concerns and kudos for their kids.
e. Program passes along appropriate information from school and youth to families.
f. Program has methods of integrating family feedback into programming.
g. Program has scheduled times when families can confer with staff and director.
h. When appropriate, program creates opportunities for families to participate in goal-setting
for their young people.
i. There is documentation of events where families are involved.
2. Program embraces the culture of young people’s families and family culture.
a. Staff has an awareness of, sensitivity to and familiarity with the languages and cultures
of the families they serve and the communities in which they reside. Program makes sure
that families with language barriers have access to program information.
b. Program encourages young people to understand their cultures.
c. Program encourages young people to explore and share their home cultures with their peers.
d. Program organizes events that celebrate the families and the cultures that they come from.
Field Guide to OST Best Practices / Opportunities for Engaging Parents and Contributing to the Community / 34