Mission Statement
The vision of Kids Count in Alachua County, Inc., a nonprofit organiztion, is that all elementary children in the community who need extra support to succeed in school and life will have that opportunity. To work towards this vision, Kids Count partners with schools, churches and other organizations to offer highly effective programs that inspire hope, enhance learniong, improve confidence and build life skills. Kids Count provides qualified staff, volunteers and expertise for the programs it supports.
Description
After researching tutoring-based after school
programs for elementary students around the
country, the Board of Directors and staff of Kids
Count rolled out a newly-designed after school
program this fall. Developed with expertise from
the University of Florida College of Education,
The Kids Count at Faith United Methodist
Church after school program combines
research-based, effective literacy tutoring, social
skill building through character development, and
hands-on, engaging, and fun enrichment activities.
The result fulfills the Kids Count mission of
meeting the needs of the whole child.
There are three distinct components of the Kids Count after school program:
Literacy Tutoring:
Children receive one-on-one tutoring from UF
College of Education students two days per week.
Key features of the tutoring component include
personalized lessons designed to meet each
student’s needs, ongoing monitoring of student’s
progress and hands-on, developmentally appropriate
activities. Each tutor is trained and supported by the
Program Director.
Character Development:
Children participate in activities designed to
help develop positive character traits and social skills. The Site Director and volunteers facilitate this learning through engaging activities that encourage student participation and generalization of key character traits.
Enrichment:
Our program allows children to experience learning that is exciting and fun. Our goal is having children immersed weekly in art projects, science experiments and investigations, historical explorations, technology-focused projects, home economics, nature/animals, health/hygiene/fitness, and more. Enrichment activities are facilitated by community and student groups and volunteers.
