West End Neighborhood House, Child Care, Education, Prevention, Organized Sports & Recreation

by | Feb 15, 2024 | 0 comments

Child Care: Services include a before and after care program, called H.A.P.P.Y. (Homework Assistance Program for Progressing Youth), for children between the ages five and twelve, along with a summer program, CAMP W.E.S.T. (Where Everyone Shines Together). Annually, these programs serve 200 youth in grades K-12, and include academic support (homework assistance, evidence-based reading instruction, SAT preparation and college tours), technology instruction (computer lab time), organized sports (basketball, soccer, flag football), and the arts (music, dance, writing and drama). Education: Services include homework help, evidence-based reading assistance (Reading is Fundamental), computer enrichment, and one-on-one and small group tutoring to help students work toward clearly defined academic goals. Staff also assist parents in advocating with teachers and guidance counselors for youth who are struggling in school; staff work collaboratively with schools to create study plans or behavior modification tools to improve school performance. Parent nights and engagement activities allow staff to connect with families while discussing each child’s progress and achievement.  Prevention: West End implements a number of evidence-based substance abuse prevention programs for middle and high school aged youth, including Too Good for Drugs and Violence (which focuses on healthy conflict resolution and building resistance skills to prevent substance use); “Botvin LifeSkills” (focusing on social-emotional learning) and Atlas and Athena (promoting a positive body image and helping youth develop knowledge about the dangers of eating disorders and performance-enhancing drugs). We are also part of the Delaware Prevention Coalition (DPC) Organized Sports & Recreation: Team and individual sports build leadership skills and confidence, while recreational games and activities such as chess build problem-solving and critical thinking skills. Organized sports activities include West End’s National Champions Track & Field Team, Above ‘Xpectations’ (AX), ‘From the Books to the Hoops’ Basketball League and Cheerleading. Youth also have free access to West End’s full-sized gymnasium and weight room, in addition to video games, ping pong and pool tables.