Fort Worth’s youth policies recognized nationally
The report, The State of City Leadership for Children and Families: 2009, was released by the National League of City’s Institute for Youth, Education and Families. It acknowledges Fort Worth for its Early Childhood Resource Centers, its annual Youth Town Hall, after-school programs and for being one of the first U.S. cities with a targeted budget line item for violence prevention.
Also noted in the report were the efforts of the Safe City Initiative to prevent middle school youth from entering gangs or engaging in violence and the city’s tradition of hosting a statewide summit for youth.
“The lesson for other Texas communities is that when a city comes together to put children first, as Fort Worth has done, it can create lasting impact and a brighter future for everyone,” said Eileen Garcia, Texans Care for Children’s executive director.
Laptop program boots up for area students
An after-school enrichment program designed to guide students in creative and analytical thinking kicked off Oct. 10 for 160 sixth graders at six Fort Worth schools.
Generation Hope Laptop Program supports core classroom curriculum with a focus in math and science. Initially, the three-year program involves basic computer literacy classes, while future classes will delve into digital video production and editing, Web design, robotics and video game design. As part of the program, students earn ownership of a laptop through a point system for completing community service and extracurricular school activities.
Generation Hope is the vision of Tarrant County Commissioner Roy C. Brooks, Precinct One, and was developed by the Marion J. and Marie N. Brooks Fund. The nonprofit received grants totaling $125,000 from the Amon Carter, Bass and Sid W. Richardson foundations and Lockheed Martin Corp. to help launch the program.
The program is being taught by graduate students from Texas Christian University and Texas Wesleyan University, along with a program coordinator from Crowley, Everman and Fort Worth independent school districts.
The schools whose sixth graders are participating are Poynter Elementary, Powell Intermediate School, Dunbar Middle School, McLean Middle School, Glencrest Sixth Grade School and Handley Middle School.
Classes meet twice weekly through mid-May 2010. Monthly, students will be taken to Texas Wesleyan to work on collaborative cross-team projects.
Through a partnership with Fort Worth Sister Cities International, Generation Hope will introduce each student to a digital pen pal in a partnering country.
“Generation Hope is a by-product of the great things than can happen when the community works together, both public and private partners,” said Brooks. “America has to be able to compete in a global economy. Generation Hope is not only going to teach children about core competencies such as math and science, it is going to expand their worldview.”
Small business loan seminar at TCC
Tarrant County College Small Business Development Center is offering a free seminar on Nov. 5 about small business loans in conjunction with the Texas Wide Open for Business Initiative.
The event will be from 9 a.m. to noon at the newly-opened TCC Trinity River campus in the Energy Conference Room.
Topics discussed directly from lenders will include how the loan process works, how loans are evaluated and options for SBA loans.
“In today’s economic environment, it’s important for entrepreneurs to realize that loan and credit options still exist,” said SBDC director David Edmonds. “The key is to understand what the lenders are looking for as they analyze applications.”
To register, call 817-871-6028 or e-mail tcc.sbdc@tccd.edu A parking pass and directions will be provided upon RSVP.
The Cowtown widens children’s
program
Race marathon The Cowtown has expanded its children’s running program by establishing the Children’s Activities for Life & Fitness Program, or C.A.L.F.
Consisting of local school coaches, physicians, board members and community residents, the C.A.L.F. program will work hand-in-hand with local schools and community centers in teaching proper running, training and nutrition to area youth. In addition, The Cowtown will continue to offer funds to students unable to afford the race entry fee and also provide the proper running shoes to kids in need.
The Cowtown races are presented by the University of North Texas Health Science Center, Chase, HCA North Texas, MillerCoors, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, NBC 5 and The Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders.
The Cowtown is scheduled for Feb. 27, 2010; school team registrations are due Jan. 20, 2010. Deadline for grant requests is Dec. 11. For more information, visit www.cowtownmarathon.org
Art law workshop offered
The Arts Council of Fort Worth & Tarrant County, in conjunction with Texas Wesleyan University Center for Law and Intellectual Property, will offer the second in a series of educational resource workshops for artists on Nov. 11.
“Making Work for Hire Work for You” will be from 6:30-7:30 p.m. in Sanders Theater, in the Fort Worth Community Arts Center at 1300 Gendy St. in Fort Worth.
Admission is free but advance registration is required. Send name, address, e-mail, occupation and area of artistic interest to register@artscouncilfw.org
SCR searching for scholarship students
The Society of Commercial REALTORS raises about $5,000 in scholarships each year and is currently looking for deserving recipients.
Interested students have until Nov. 30 to apply. Applications should include a current transcript, a personal essay and a letter of recommendation from an SCR member. For information, contact Dottie Pletch with SCR at 817-336-5165 ext. 107 or at d.pletch@gfwar.org
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