Native American After-School Program

Dear Friends:

Another academic year came to a close, which means lots and lots of activities and celebrations to report on from NAAF’s 2022-2023 After-School Program. As noted in NAAF’s last report, many of the After-School Program’s efforts focused on linking students to critical supports and opportunities intended to help support these young learners’ future educational aspirations and goals. For some, these efforts would prove to be incredibly timely as several program participants graduated this Spring, including the following May/June graduates that NAAF would like to recognize:

• Brandon L. - Baboquivari Class 2023
• Julian T. - Baboquivari Class of 2023
• Laura S. – Chemawa Class of 2023

Equally exciting for the District’s littlest learners, NAAF’s pre-school program, Ce:ce:m A'al o O'odham Ñeñok (The Little Children Speak O'odham), saw three of its 12 participants age out and graduate from the program in May, so they will be moving forward to join the After-School program when the new school resumes in August. While not enrolled in the After-School Program just yet, ASP is looking forward to welcoming:

• David M.
• Jordan A.
• Gyrin G.

While graduation was a time of great joy and celebration, work in the After-School Program did not end just because the book closed on another school year. For example, in June NAAF’s Educational Staff helped Tohono O'odham Community College promote the American Indian College Fund's Summer of Success Hybrid Conference. This was a free three-day conference centered on Native values and ways of knowing, which focused on assisting high school students, recent high school graduates, and high school equivalency completers through native speakers, student and professional panels, virtual workshops for prospective and current college students, and professional development sessions for staff working in higher education, high schools, and educational organizations.

Additionally, with school out of session additional learning opportunities took place for those looking to build their employment skills and knowledge. NAAF’s Educational Staff offered Food Handlers training class in June, as well as a “Career and Employment” training led by the area’s One-Stop provider to provide career guidance and advice. And for those who were interested in keeping up with their Summer Reading, at the end of May the Venito Garcia Library held a pop-up book giveaway at the Al Jek Recreation Center, in the Ali Chugk community, to give away free books.

Finally, the Spring ended on a high note as NAAF was honored to receive the “2022 Champion for Young Children” recognition award from the Tohono O’odham Nation’s Regional Council, which stands as a testament to NAAF’s dedicated educators who are wholly devoted to the children of the Nation.