by Terri Rogers,
On June 6, 2016, Shannon Knutson Jones had the pleasure of leading the Loveland Initiative’s “Set for Success” program for the fifth year, held at the Loveland Intermediate School 757 Lebanon Road from June 6-10. The Set for Success program was very successful. We had 17 students participating in the program.
Set for Success is a week long program that provides fifth through eighth grade, at-risk students with skills training that will set them on a path for success in school and in life. Using the skills and knowledge from the Set for Success Program, students will have a stronger sense of civic efficacy as well as a strong goal for their future. The program consists of five days featuring a different speaker each day who will interact with the students while emphasizing an important life skill (with the exception of Friday). Friday will consist of a brief assessment of the program’s objectives as well as a rewarding experience for the students.
Students participated in daily lessons from various presenters; preparation of food, and community service projects. Students heard from representative Andrea and Erica of University Cincinnati about how to receive scholarships to fund their education. Professors Sally and Peter Moomaw from the University of Cincinnati performing a STEM experiment to demonstrate the practical application of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Tonya Prince discussed goal setting. Deb Jones discussed nursing. Officer Kyle Bibelhausen and Mach from Symmes K9 unit brought his dog to demonstrate jobs animals have and show a career choice. Kathy Knutson discussed Occupational therapy (the students made splints and had to try to accomplish tasks with some movements inhibited (for example, they could not use their dominate arm or one challenge was to put on a sock without bending at the waist or twisting).
Volunteer opportunities included students making cards for residence of the Loveland Care Center and planned care packages for homeless men and women which were distributed on June 11, at Washington Park in Cincinnati. The final day of the program included a review of the program and a reward for the students.
Many thanks to our sponsors — Greater Cincinnati Summer Time Kids Grant, Loveland City Schools, University of Cincinnati Andrea and Erica, Sally and Peter Moomaw. Officer Kyle Bibelhausen and Mach Loveland Police K9 Unit, Deb Jones, and Kathy Knutson. We also thank all of the hard working volunteers who participated in the event. All of this would not have been possible without the generosity and overwhelming assistance from our community.
Thank you for your support!
Photos provided by the Loveland Initiative
Terri Rogers is the Executive Director of the The Loveland Initiative, a 501(c)(3) registered charity. For more information on The Loveland Initiative, please contact the Executive Director Terri Rogers at (513) 739-2354, or [email protected]. You may also contact us through our website at www.lovelandinitiative.com and our Facebook page.
