Educate & Enrich A Child in Houston's 3rd Ward

We are happy to report that our After School Enrichment Program attendance is holding steady at approximately 30 students.  One of the components that we count as a major success is the increase in parent participation.  Although we haven't done an official study, we believe the increased parent involvement directly correlates to the decrease in behavioral issues. 

For example, during one of the parent-led meetings, children learned that they hear an average of 200 negative things each day.  With the help of our Program Director, the children have committed to the Dare To Be Different program; and are actively combatting the negative by helping expose each other to 600 positive things each day!

We have also faced some challenges during this time.  A number of children from one area school are experiencing a decline in their grades.  SHAPE will take an active role in helping to identify and correct the issue.  Another area of concern is program tuition.  As part of our sustainability plan, SHAPE wants each family to invest in the program.  Children are not turned away for inability to pay, but as we plan for the next 50 years, we hope to inspire parents to invest in future programming.

Your contributions help the children continue classes in self-defense, yoga, and life-skills, along with weekly field trips for art classes with The Jung Center Houston and the Community Artists' Collective. 

With the help of our generous donors, parents, volunteers and staff, SHAPE was able to expand the After-School Enrichment Program through another holiday season to provide child care and education services.  Of course, some of the children would have preferred sleeping in late for the holidays, but unfortunately, most parents do not have the same holiday schedule as the local school districts.  

Despite some of the early mornings and long days, the session bustled with activity. Our enrollment doubled to 30 students!  The children were able to receive scholastic assistance as well as participate in fun cultural activities.  One of the highlights was a multi-generational celebration of family and unity as children experienced African drumming and history to mark the first day of Kwanzaa.

The celebration included special guests and Swahili language lessons on the 7 principles of Kwanzaa, their meanings, and how to implement them in the children's daily lives.

Lastly, the children also marched with 50 community members in Houston's Original Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Parade, in celebration of unity and SHAPE's 50th anniversary.