“Opportunities in Akron”
(Visit the SOL Stark-Summit website)
“Opportunity in Akron”
is a unique community-based SOL project that focuses on community
programming for target
audiences. Emphasis is on training community members through capacity-building
programs, to enhance their innate abilities to improve their quality
of life. Through
collaborative efforts of agency staff, child care providers, the
homeless, and individuals receiving public assistance in the Akron area,
participants are able to share in the goals of the SOL project.
Community-based sites are located at the Akron Metropolitan Housing
Authority, Child Care Connection, and Haven of Rest Ministries.
Program Outcomes:
- Seventy-three youth
have participated in a variety of learning experiences including
homework assistance,
leadership training, career exploration, and science activities. As
a result, 85% stated they would use skills learned in their everyday
life.
- Over 550 adults have
participated in a variety of SOL workshops that focused on personal
and professional
development. As a result, 84% of the participants through
post-activity surveys indicated the benefit of participating and
willingness to use the information presented.
- Over 140 individuals
participated in trainings related to word processing, desktop
publishing, career
exploration using Ohio Career Information System (OCIS) and the
Internet. As a result, 69% were able to use the software to improve
both their professional skills and find jobs or schools in the area
of interest.
Future Directions:
- Develop a gardening
reference manual and parent support handbook specifically for
Haven of Rest Ministries to assist staff members as they continue
the SOL initiative.
- Introduce 4-H to a
local elementary school to be used by the teachers as an ongoing
resource within the
classroom.
- Establish a Summit
County Support Network for child care providers that will provide
professional development
for peers and serve as mentors for new child care providers.
- Continue to seek
additional funding to support all of the established initiatives
begun by the SOL program
from both public and private organizations.
For more information contact: Edrice
Robinson-Wyatt, Program Assistant, Stark-Summit County, 330-497-1611
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