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Bluebag Media
New grant could reach
more ‘at risk’ kids
GREENVILLE – “These kids are not necessarily bad,” said Jeff Vaughn,
Alternative School Program Coordinator for Darke County Council on
Rural Services. “They just don’t have a lot of guidance.” Noting he
works with youth, ages seven to 17, he told members and guests of
Kiwanis of Greenville recently about a Community Connectors Grant
application to the Governor’s Office to help him reach these young
people.
It is a 3-year grant serving Darke County students in grades 5-12.
Total amount requested is $450,877.60.
“All aspects of the proposed Community Connectors services and
activities directly align with our agency’s five Community Connection
core principles,” he said. Adolescents are given the opportunity to be
involved with leadership and recreation activities, tutoring,
educational field trips, service learning projects and life skills
training. “The goal is to show them they can have a positive and
productive future.”
The anticipated grant has three components.
First is to provide Mentor/Youth Advocates. Darke County will have
three. They will be housed at Mississinawa Valley, Tri-Village and
Gateway Youth in Greenville. Their mission, according to Vaughn, will
be to “motivate and inspire students (one-on-one) to find their purpose
and reach their full potential.”
The second component is one-on-one mentoring through local faith-based
organizations. Vaughn said the First Baptist Church (Union City) and
Cedar Grove Church of the Brethren (New Paris) will recruit and assist
in training volunteer mentors...
Read the rest of the article at Bluebag Media
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