Press ReleaseThe Jubilee Center of Hoboken
We at the Jubilee Center have been busy both with great programs for children of Public Housing in Hoboken as well as fund raising to sustain our efforts for kids who were in a recession long before the rest of us.
We have found that as we talk about the Center people want to know, “what exactly do we do?” Here is a snapshot (and snapshots) of the last couple of months.
The Kids
The children arrive at the Jubilee Center after school and do what they have been doing for over 5 years. They do their homework; this is the number one priority. Last year, Craig Mainor, the program director, started an incentive system to help the children to complete their homework. The children can earn points over a 2 week period for behavior, attendance and homework completion. It is a joint effort with public school teachers, and children who do well consistently are rewarded with a party on a Friday afternoon.
After homework, the kids take singing and dance classes, play games, make arts and crafts, learn to cook, eat a good meal, get special tutoring, and celebrate birthdays.
The kids decorate cookies at the February birthday party School Holidays
On school holidays, the children now get a full day of programming that starts with breakfast at 8:30. In addition, the Center stands ready to respond to unusual circumstances. On the half snow day in late January, when the kids arrived 2 hours early, Program Director, Craig Mainor simply made 70 tuna fish sandwiches and got started with after-school activities early.
During the week of February 17th when the schools were closed for President’s week, the children enjoyed roller skating in Branch Brook Park in Newark, saw the wonders of the Liberty Science Center in Jersey City, and they competed in a softball tournament in the baseball diamond across the street. Before all the fun began though, they started each morning with an hour of math or reading, because getting ahead through education is, after all, what the Center is all about.
Daddy and Me
Valentine's Day came early at the Jubilee Center on Wednesday, February 11. That night the second annual "Daddy and Me" dance was held, and more than 40 families attended. The event, organized by Craig Mainor, the Center's Program Director, included dancing to a DJ and other activities like cookie decorating in addition to arts and crafts. It also gave the children the opportunity to "show off" the Center to their fathers and families.
On school holidays, the children now get a full day of programming that starts with breakfast at 8:30. In addition, the Center stands ready to respond to unusual circumstances. On the half snow day in late January, when the kids arrived 2 hours early, Program Director, Craig Mainor simply made 70 tuna fish sandwiches and got started with after-school activities early.
During the week of February 17th when the schools were closed for President’s week, the children enjoyed roller skating in Branch Brook Park in Newark, saw the wonders of the Liberty Science Center in Jersey City, and they competed in a softball tournament in the baseball diamond across the street. Before all the fun began though, they started each morning with an hour of math or reading, because getting ahead through education is, after all, what the Center is all about.
Daddy and Me
Valentine's Day came early at the Jubilee Center on Wednesday, February 11. That night the second annual "Daddy and Me" dance was held, and more than 40 families attended. The event, organized by Craig Mainor, the Center's Program Director, included dancing to a DJ and other activities like cookie decorating in addition to arts and crafts. It also gave the children the opportunity to "show off" the Center to their fathers and families.
“Daddy and Me” DanceThe Volunteers:
Cooking
The Center has 2 volunteers who come and teach kids cooking. They focus on nutrition, portion size and healthy alternatives to sugar, oil and fried foods. The volunteers and the children have made chicken with coconut, Thai salad, basil pizza, and mango sorbet. Also, we instruct the children how to reduce orange juice and use it as a sweetener in sugarless cookies. The kids love it.
Cooking
The Center has 2 volunteers who come and teach kids cooking. They focus on nutrition, portion size and healthy alternatives to sugar, oil and fried foods. The volunteers and the children have made chicken with coconut, Thai salad, basil pizza, and mango sorbet. Also, we instruct the children how to reduce orange juice and use it as a sweetener in sugarless cookies. The kids love it.
Making Hummus Healthy and FunGirl Scouts
Margaret Ramos of the Heart of New Jersey Girl Scout Council has started a troop at the Jubilee Center. Every Monday, she runs a troop meeting for Brownies who will learn about Courage Character, Confidence and the Girl Scout Way . The Girl Scouts are also planning summer programming as well.
Tutors
Every night, children who need extra tutoring receive it from community volunteers this also is an essential part of the Center’s success with children.
Visit our website http://www.jubileecenterhoboken.org/ to learn more and to support the Jubilee Center.
Here is the press release in slideshare:
Jubilee Center Press Release
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