After School Program Expands Teen’s Horizons

National City, CA-Summercrest teens that attend the on-site after school program expand their horizons daily. At Summercrest Apartments in National City, C.A.R.E.—Communities Advocating for Resident Empowerment—has constructed an after school program that offers teens homework assistance, tutoring, nutritional classes, arts and crafts, team building, career planning, and computer education classes. So what’s the catch? Good behavior and a willingness to participate!

Teen program instructor Luz Maria Allshouse has outlined the requirements for the after school program which includes: parent consent, homework to be brought daily, participation, and good behavior. Each day, teens receive homework assistance and the opportunity to use the free computer lab in an effort to “increase and expand their computer knowledge and resources.” In addition to the regular after school activities, Luz Maria, along with three volunteers, arrange for the teens in the program to tour local campuses, attend career presentations, visit local libraries, and even do community outreach!

This program is more than just a traditional after school program. It gives the teens involved the immediate assistance they need for school, but it also gives them invaluable information for the future. While they are here, teens are taught conflict resolution, healthy eating habits, and how to work in teams. These are tools that the teens can use in every aspect of their lives, and long after they have left the program.