| Keeping Families Intact (KFI) |
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The purpose of the Keeping Families Intact (KFI) initiative is to strengthen families by establishing a coalition of families, neighborhoods, communities, churches, and schools that come together to form partnerships to provide targeted support to families in need.
Keeping Families Intact An initiative of Gaston Together
Second Year Progress Report May 12, 2011
Mission: To strengthen families by establishing a coalition of families, neighborhoods, communities, churches, and schools that come together to form partnerships to provide targeted support to families in need. 5 Long Range Impact Goals v Juvenile Crime v Gang Involvement v Drop Outs v Unemployment v Teen Pregnancy Engaging Families/Residents: I. Listening Circles: Four established (Third Street Presbyterian Church, Erwin Center/Highland Gastonia, Sadler/Myrtle School, Stoney Point) A. Third Street Presbyterian Church (Highland Community)
I. Church adopts Rhyne Elementary School II. “Needs assessment” administered by Principal of Rhyne Elementary School III. Outcome: School seeks Mentors (preferably males/Afro-American) IV. 45 Mentors are selected & engaged V. Mentors are trained through Gaston County Schools and YMCA VI. Parents of mentees are engaged to take part in listening circles
I. Back to School Event (August 2011) a. Cookout furnished by Third Street Presbyterian Church b. Book bags donated to the Students of Rhyne Elementary c. KFI provided resources and staff time
II. Listening Circle Meetings a. Kick off date: August 2010
b. Prioritized Issues/Concerns:
c. Resources utilized: (13)
ship Center, Wix Corporation
White, Asst. Principal of Rhyne Elementary School)
(2011te Champions)
III. Additional engagement
door; connection through public housing management; visitation of church institutions; and posting of flyer events IV. Community Resources engaged
Human Services
Gaston College
Listening Circle Parents)
V. Outcomes:
March & April 2011
participants have registered for additional education (GEC, Adult High School) and Career Readiness Certification (CRC) via Gaston Career Climb
v Terms of Teen Pregnancy: In 2007: There were 177 births to women age 10-17
If we were to use only half of the children mentioned(12), the same outcome cost measures for the 12 children of the parents that are making significant strides within our program, we’ve save taxpayers $46,416.00. That’s a 7% decrease. v In terms of Juvenile Crime: In 2008: The cost per year for a juvenile in a Youth Detention Center is $60,000.00
If we applied these same outcome costs to the children (12) within our program, that cost averages $720,000.00
B. Erwin Center (Highland Community)
I. “Needs assessment” administered by Principals’ Rhyne Elementary, Woodhill Elementary School, and Sadler Elementary School II. Classified listening circles as Central Gastonia, and West Gastonia III. Permission given to go through Parent Involvement Specialists to engage parents within school IV. Mentors engaged through local colleges: Gaston and Belmont Abbey College V. Mentors trained (3 total. Jose Torres, and William Drew students of Belmont Abbey College, and Crystal Johnson Director of Black Achievers of Shelby YMCA) via Gaston County Schools System VI. Per recommendation of school, Parents engaged to take part in listening circles
I. Listening Circle Meetings a. Kick off date: October 2010 b. Prioritized Issues/Concerns: Erwin Center • Safety • Male Involvement /Mentor • Afterschool Programs • Support Groups • Community Newsletter • Transportation • Career Workshops • Educational Workshops • Parenting Workshops c. Resource Utilized
Freddie Hurt
Layton, Kersh, Solomon, Furr and Smith, P.A.
Elementary
Elementary
II. Outcomes (Safety Focus Listening Circle):
2010 and February 2011
“…..As (an) Afro-American male, I’ve been a resident of (Ward 4) Highland males and the City Police will always be strained, until they (the police) get back to walking the “beat,” therefore building relationship with those in the community. This happened in the community around the early ‘90’s, and during that time relationship, trust, and appreciation was readily given. It makes a huge difference when you walk up to me, as oppose to riding by me.” (….39 year old Highland resident)
“… I feel more tours should be given to the small school age children (Pre-K to 5th grade) educating, and building relationship with Law Enforcement. That way you start young, and train the future minds which will be positive, as well as beneficial to the future of Highland.” (…60 year old Highland resident)
III. Outcomes (Listening Circle Male Mentor Focus): According to the information collected at the listening circle, residents’ concerns pointed towards work being done for the “male” within the Highland Community. Mentor Focus was divided by gender
Alexander House
Academy), and Lead Instructor of Fatherhood
C. Sadler Elementary School/West Gastonia: T Jeffers Recreational Center
I. “Needs assessment” administered by Principal of Sadler Elementary, and Bessemer City Middle School I. Mentors (previously given – Jorge Torres, William Drew, and Crystal Johnson) all reside at Sadler Elementary School II. Per school recommendation Parents are engaged to take part in listening circle III. Additional listening circle members were selected by door to door and one on one connections
I. Listening Circle Meetings: a. West Gastonia Listening Circle Kick off Date: November 2010 b. Prioritized Issues/Concerns:
affordable shopping centers c. Resources Utilized
School
Restauración Casa de Misericordia d. Outcomes: Safety Focus general
o White: 18.2% (2) o Afro-American: 27.3% (3) o Hispanic: 55% (6) o Other: N/A e. Outcomes (Part II – Safety Focus – Hispanic Community/Stoney Point Apts.): Due to the participation and views given by listening circle members plus additional research and investigation made by Sgt. Chad Hawkins (Gastonia City Police Department). The outcome from that listening circle given by Sgt Hawkins derived the following; “Due to conflicting data (i.e. crime call logs, code violations, gang activity, gang graffiti, and gang allegations made within local district schools), communication and relationship building must be better developed between the Hispanic Community, and Gastonia City Police Department. It was through this assignment, KFI was asked to partner with GCPD to develop a special project listening circle we called: The Stoney Pointe Project.
D. Stoney Point (West Gastonia- Special Assignment): RCD Ministries/ Restoration Church
I. Needs assessment given by Sgt. Hawkins, and the Officers of Gastonia City Police West Side division along with residents of the community (Stoney Pointe) II. Outcome: To build relationship and educate the Hispanic residents of Stoney Pointe Apartments while improving knowledge, and understanding in terms of law enforcement, as well as informational resources in hopes of improving the well- being and quality of life for all families within its dwelling. III. Hispanic Committee was created/established (6): o Angel Ayala , Pastor of RCDM - Restoration House of Miracles – 2406 Crescent Lane – Gastonia, NC o Judith Ayala , Pastor and wife of Angel Ayala - Restoration House of Miracles – 2406 Crescent Lane – Gastonia, NC o Norma Aguilar – Freyer , Latino Coordinator of AVID (Assault & Victimization Intervention and Deterrence
o Jose L. Cruz Garcia, Owner of Garcia Agency- Translation company- contracted with DSS of Gaston County, Catawba County o John “Pete” Pierczynski, English as a Second Language Instructor with Gaston County Schools (Bessemer City Middle, and Bessemer City High School) o Diana Willman – Teen Parenting Program Coordinator Gaston County Health
I. Listening Circles Meeting a. Kick off April 2011 b. Prioritized Issues/Concerns:
c. Resources utilized: (12)
II. Outcomes:
o Occupied Units: 66 o Survey Participation: 40% o Females: 53% o Males: 47%
Enforcement?”: o Yes: 33% o No: 58% o Maybe: 8% o No answer: 1% o No knowledge in terms of the 3 stand-alone law enforcement agencies (City, County, and Sheriff Departments): 96%
o White – (0) o Afro-American-(0) o Hispanic- 99% o Other- 1% The numbers above are compiled per the residential make up at the Stoney Pointe Community. Stoney Pointe project still continues.
II. Poverty Simulation Exercises (PSE)
A. General Use:
o Gaston County Schools have strongly exercised Poverty Simulation Workshop within their Administrative staff . o GCS Principals and Assistant Principals August 2010 o City of Belmont exercised 2010 o Bessemer City Middle, and Bessemer City Primary Fall (Instructional staff) 2010 o Sadler Elementary (Principal and entire educational staff) March 2011 o Gaston County Health Department
B. PSE Executed in Cherryville at request of Mayor Austello
I. To bring awareness, education, and empathetic view to those of poverty situations II. Needs assessment compiled by Mayor Bob Austell, and Councilman Davis Browne*, Delena Sigmon Executive Director Cherryville Area Ministries, and David Day Assistant Minister/Minister of Music First Baptist Church, Cherryville III. Outcome: Create a Resource Fair and Personal Resource Guide for residents of Cherryville; providing information, and to guide Cherryville residents to the resources needed in times of hardships. IV. Task: Classify area of needs in reference to Cherryville residents o Collect and review the data of resources conducive to Cherryville residents o Engage selected resources and implore such services to Cherryville
III. Resource Fairs
A. Extension of Poverty Simulation Outcome for Cherryville, NC at First Baptist Church, Cherryville, North Carolina
o Create relationship within the resources selected o Establish longevity of services between KFI and resources o Develop information and education of resources to Cherryville community leaders (i.e. elected officials, Pastors, Ministers, Principals, Teachers, Social Workers, Guidance Counselors, etc.) o Create a resource booklet that will be utilized for all residents within the Cherryville municipality. Outcomes:
month of Fair : January 2011 (before fair) $4,089.84 b. February 2011 (after fair) $2,286.09
attachment)
obtained 93 residents to apply for Unemployment Benefits. *JobLinks information given by Mrs. Carolyn Helms (JobLink Coordinator) of Employment Security Commission
B. FAFSA – Free Application for Federal Student Aid - Created for Gaston County Residents - Union Road Church of God (South Gastonia)
I. Expand secondary education and engage unemployed residents alongside upcoming high school graduates via extension of college education II. Create connectivity between residents, colleges, and community scholarship organizations III. Collect and review data via one on one study IV. Tasks: o Gain data regarding Gaston County unemployed o Gain skilled volunteered support from Pan Hellenic Organizations o Create educational resources V. Number of attendants: 12 VI. Project FAFSA date: February 2011 a. Prioritize Issues/Concerns:
b. Number of resources utilized: (22)
Aid)
c. Outcomes :
KFI organizational memberships and presentations:
Gastonia March 2011(KFI Presentation) o Outcome: Attendants lobbied to have KFI sponsor and hold Senior Citizens Resource Fair
Member)
Upcoming Action Items:
Keeping Families Intact
* is important to Gaston County in terms of creating partnerships and relationships that lead to a healthy, viable community of productive, contributing citizens. * Tears down the gates of despair, while turning young lives and families into successes * Will continue to be a voice providing positive connections, motivation and encouragement for the residents of Gaston County! .
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