Young Entrepreneurs
The interns taught lessons on self-image, personal/dental hygiene, exercise/nutrition, and body systems. They also set up community service projects for the students, in particular, making greeting cards for those less fortunate. The students were also encouraged to find their own unique talents and showcase them by displaying their work on the building walls. Community members were invited into the center at the end of the program to survey the students' work.
The interns monitored two groups of about twenty high school students enrolled in Allegheny West Foundation's Workready/Mural Arts program. They interacted with them through games and discussion of professional topics. They conducted weekly professional workshops with 120 students, where the students worked on identifying their career goals and developing their portfolios. The interns also gave weekly health presentations on mental health, STDs, substance abuse, and nutrition. Additionally, they helped the students in completing their mural art project.
Spruce Adolescent Counseling & Education Center
The interns implemented a summer reading program which rewarded students for participating in daily reading assignments. The goals of the reading program were to assess and increase the reading level of students. Other programming included health education of the following topics: general health maintenance, adolescent growth and development, pregnancy prevention, STDs, HIV/AIDS, and substance abuse. Each week one topic was designated for discussion, activities, and education. Weekly fieldtrips were also taken to the Philadelphia Zoo, Mutter Museum, African American Museum, and the Franklin Institute.
The interns served as camp counselors and were responsible for planning health sessions each week. They focused on adolescent health through lessons on physical fitness, nutrition, oral health, self-esteem, and stress. The interns also assisted other staff members with their mathematics, writing, and abstinence-only curriculums. In addition to educational activities, the interns attended all field trips and participated in recreational activities which allowed them to interact with the children on a personal level.
