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REjuvenating
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Arlington
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Creating
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Hope
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| What is REACH? |
Project REACH began in 2007 as a federal program administered by the U.S. Department of Justice Community Capacity Development Office. Our goal was simple: work with a variety of community partners to reduce crime
and address the challenges and the physical deterioration of structures affecting our residents.
Congress eliminated funding for this initiative in 2010, but the East Arlington community and Arlington Police Department remained committed to this grass roots endeavor and sought ways to sustain progress devoid of federal financial assistance.
Because Arlington Texas has been recognized as an America's Promise Community, it was only logical that Project REACH be reconstituted as a youth-led, school-centric endeavor.
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A grass roots community effort that embraces the Five Promises that every child throughout our community needs:
- Caring Adults
- Safe Places
- A Healthy Start
- An Effective Education and
- Opportunities to serve their community
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| WHERE: |
With the help of our friends at Thornton Elementary school and the East Branch Library, we are infusing community police officers as reading buddies and mentors at both locations.
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- The intent of reading buddies is to infuse caring adults into our younger classrooms in order to encourage improvement in student's reading level, fluency, and sight word knowledge.
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- The goals of our mentoring efforts include exposure to positive role models, emphasis on educational attainment as well as eliminating fear or distrust of authority figures.
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- What better way to emphasize education than to build robots alongside youth - not only engaging them as a mentor, but also demonstrating the practicality of a hands on learning experience!
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And, of course our bi-annual "feeding frenzy" and youth-led community service projects will continue as we support our friends at Sam Houston High School!
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| WHO: |
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- Simultaneously, our School District published it's strategic plan which includes a strong emphasis on cultivating partnerships that engage the community.
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| WHY: |
Research from Big Brother Big Sisters recently found that after 18 months of youth spending time mentors, compared to those children not in mentoring relationships, were:
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- 46% less likely to begin using illegal drugs
- 27% less likely to begin using alcohol
- 52% less likely to skip school
- 37% less likely to skip a class
- 33% less likely to hit by someone
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| We are working together to make a difference! |
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| How to get involved: |
If you are interested in volunteering, contact: Arlington Independent School District
Or, Contact
Stephanie Gillespie
Community Support Manager
620 West Division St.,
Arlington, TX 76011
817.459.5366
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