Basic Elements of Strategic Plan
The Intersection…
is a grassroots, faith based organization located in Columbia, MO.
http:intersection.missouri.org
Mission: To develop healthy community by providing a place and programs where our kids can gather, gain and give back as responsible members of society.
Vision: The Intersection is a meeting place where diverse individuals can make connections that change lives across generational, racial and economic lines in a safe, caring environment. These connections weave the fabric of a healthy community that focuses on building developmental assets[1] such as responsibility, service, goal setting and self-restraint.
Children in grades K-12 attend the center voluntarily from 3 to 6:30 p.m. during the school year and from 3 – 7 p.m. during the summer program. Core group children attend the programs two or more times per week and complete program requirements on those days.
Major Goals:
Goal 1: Improve the academic performance of children attending the program 2x or more per week until they are at or above grade level in reading and math.
Goal 2: Reduce the juvenile delinquency of core children by reducing risky behaviors such as violence and drug abuse.
Goal 3: Increase the developmental assets of core children through weekly asset themes and daily meetings for activities and discussions.
Goal 4: Increase pro-social behaviors through intensive social modeling and accountability within the community of staff and children.
Goal 5: Provide a hot, balanced meal to children every day and teach them about nutrition and wellness for a successful body, mind, spirit and heart.
Goal 6: Prepare 12-16 year old students for career success by application of social skills, academic commitment and economic literacy to career planning and work situations. Older teens complete work application internships over 14 to 20 weeks.
Staff: 1 - 1.0 FTE Educational Director; 1 - .75 FTE Executive Director; 7 - .25 FTE
Annual Budget for 2008: $124,000. Out of every dollar, 83 cents went to child services.
Program: Academic/homework help
Students complete one half hour of homework each day. They also voluntarily participate in semi-annual national testing through NWEA in Reading, Math and Language usage. Students taking the tests are tracked from year to year and evaluated in their academic gains or losses. If children do not have homework from school, they do packets in their folders which address their skill level and academic needs.
Program: All Stars™ [2] Juvenile Justice Program
All Stars™ is a character-based approach to preventing high-risk behaviors such as substance use, violence, and premature sexual activity in teens ages 11 to 15. The program is based on strong research identifying the critical factors that lead young people to begin experimenting with substances and engaging in other high-risk behaviors. It is designed to reinforce positive qualities that are typical of youths at this age. It works to strengthen five specific qualities vital to achieving preventive effects:
- Establishing positive norms
- Building strong personal commitments
- Promoting positive parental attentiveness
- Developing positive ideals and future aspirations
- Promoting bonding with school and community organizations
All Stars youth graduate after 11 lessons and are then able to attend Boosters groups. Boosters groups reinforce the All Stars values but also function as a small group support system for teens who are trying to resist destructive behaviors.
Means of measurement is the number of juvenile offences offenses reported by parents, school and community.
Program: Asset Bank Accounts
This program for ages K – 10 gives each child their own check book where they accrue merit dollars for homework completion, community service, participation and behavior.
Most field trips and special treats have a cost which the kids have to be able to afford in order to go. Behavior and participation merit is earned in attending a daily asset meeting as well as class attendance. Daily Asset meetings address a different asset each week such as honesty, goal setting, responsibility and interpersonal communication.
Economic literacy is part of this program as each child earns, saves and spends their merit dollars during the year. They receive checks to deposit on a monthly pay day. They must write checks and balance their check books for each purchase.
Program: Social Skills Development
This overarching program for ages K – 12 covers all other activities and programs at the center. The Behavioral Contract [3] is signed by each child and parent when enrollment takes place. Skills such as conflict resolution, problem solving, good communication, self control and relationship skills are discussed and practiced whenever there is a problem or conflict between individuals or groups.
Program: Nutrition and Wellness
Every child is served a full, hot meal every afternoon at 5:15 p.m. Due to our limited budget, we plan menus around what is available from donations and from the Food Bank. All meals served meet the USDA nutrition guidelines for school age children. We also offer health and nutrition classes which are part of each child’s required class attendance. A typical week might include a cooking class on Monday, a fitness class on Wednesday and a healthy relationships class on Thursday.
Program: Career Preparation
Our children are tomorrow’s leaders of our businesses, our city and our nation. We prepare them for success in the work place academically, socially and in life skills through our other programs. This program for 12 to 17 year olds gets more specific about each child’s interests, skills and potential. We are still building this program which will have three parts:
· Personality, Skills and Interests Assessments and Career Studies
· In house projects and employment to prepare for the work place
· Business internships where youth work in a business 2-3 hours/week for up to 20 weeks.