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Dwie Bridgewater Hope Center, Inc. <br /> B. PROGRAM NEED STATEMENT (Entire Section B not to exceed one page) <br /> 1 . a) What is the unacceptable condition requiring change? b) Who has the need? <br /> c) Where do they live? d) Provide local, state, or national trend data, with reference <br /> source, that corroborates that this is an area of need. <br /> A) Within the Wabasso community youths today face many unacceptable conditions such as; <br /> teen pregnancy, drop-out rate, poor health, low self-esteem, poor hygiene and mal-nutrition, <br /> alcohol and drug related issues are all unacceptable. <br /> B) & C) Youths living around the surrounding Wabasso area who are faced with these issues <br /> stated above (A) on a daily basis are in dire need of our program. With a safe, well supervised <br /> environment students can engage in quality programs that promote high self- esteem, improved <br /> academic performance and respectable behavior. <br /> D) Studies show "that students involved in after school programs get better grades, attend school <br /> more have improved behavior. They also express greater hopes for the future and are more <br /> interested in school" ( www. afterschoolalliance.org) From education experts, law enforcement <br /> officers, parents and grandparents Americans agree that after school programs just make sense. <br /> After school programs help to keep kids safe, help balance working parents schedules as well as <br /> improve youth individual academic achievement. <br /> 2. a) Identify similar programs that are currently serving the needs of your targeted <br /> population; b) Explain how these existing programs are under-serving the targeted <br /> population of your program. <br /> A) A similar program currently serving the needs of our targeted population who also offer after <br /> school programs is The Boys & Girls Club (Sebastian-32958) in North County. <br /> B) This existing program is under-serving our targeted population for our program by not <br /> catering to their specific geographical needs. The Boys & Girls Club (Sebastian-32958) is <br /> located approximately 8 - 10 miles av:ay from DHC, which means transportation is a majnt <br /> problem for youth from the Wabasso community. Many grandparents who no longer drive are <br /> responsible for the youth of our after school program. The location of DHC is a major positive <br /> aspect of our program and the population we are targeting. DHC is located within walking <br /> distance to most youth in Wabasso which makes it very accessible to our projected youth. The <br /> multiple programs offered at DHC which meet the needs of the community and youth are our <br /> mentoring program, Girl ' s Club and Kid' s Cafe. These different programs help to promote <br /> growth from our youth both professionally and personally in their everyday lives. <br /> "Teens who do not participate in after school programs and nearly three times more likely to <br /> skip classes than the teens who participate. They are also three times more likely to use <br /> marijuana, drink alcohol, smoke cigarettes and engage in sexual activities". (Public Opinions & <br /> Attitudes on outdoor Recreation. Feb . 2004) Without accessible transportation this forces youth <br /> to become latchkey kids without quality supervised activities. <br /> 5 <br />