It is critical to educate kids on safety and the law at an early age.  Students a better sense of security with a personable, face-to-face visit with those who keep them safe.  Moreover, the police department field trip gave them a new reason to make good, lawful, safe and responsible decisions, as they are likely to be exposed to some type of criminal behavior in their inner-city neighborhoods.

We are grateful that the officers at New West Nashville Precinct hosted and toured our students on their site.  We thank you for serving our community and making all of us feel a lot safer.

To learn more about New West Nashville Precinct, click here.

For more pictures from our police station tour, visit our Facebook page.

So what are some of the perks to running with our team?:

• Free training schedule
• Free nutrition plan
• Free fundraising tips
• If you reach the $1,000 goal, we’ll reimburse your race fee
• Free training shirt and jersey
• Free temporary membership to The Wellness Center at St. Thomas Hospital and Baptist Hospital for indoor training
• Dinner parties with other participants

How can you get started?  Interested parties should indicate that you would like to run with the Youth Life Learning Centers team by emailing Candace Clippard at candace@barefootrepublic.org after you register, both through the Country Music Half or Full Marathon and for the Run Barefoot, where you will pay the registration fee.  Receive $10 off registration when you use the code CLUBCMM when registering for the marathon.

How can I support the cause without running myself?  Support Youth Life’s CEO, Yolanda Shields, as she runs the half marathon in April.  Go to yllc.org and donate now.

You still have plenty of time to get some great training in and won’t have to work too hard to catch up with those who have already registered.  The longer you wait, the more difficult training will be.  Join our team and keep that 2012 New Years’ resolution and get fit while making a difference in your community.

“We are building a rich heritage that is full of milestones, both as an organization and in the lives of YLLC students and families,” says Lindsay Daly, Youth Life’s program director.

With our outreach and perseverance, we have gained the support of sponsors including Miller & Martin, PLLC, Pepsi, Dollar General, United Way, Catepillar Insurance, Bridgestone Americas, HCA/Tri-Star, Skanska, Bone McAllester Norton, PLLC, Lipscomb S.A.L.T., The Bun Company, Ingram, Urban Youth Initiative, First Tennessee bank, Community Health Systems, Inc., Metro Arts, Lee Company, and more.  We have partnered with N.A.Z.A., Martha O’Bryan, St. Luke’s Community House, Life Church Memphis, Lipscomb S.A.L.T., Belmont University’s service learning department, Edgehill Community Center, My Own Backyard, SLAM, and more.

Over the years, we have increased our board members, developed an internship program, held annual events, made connections with various churches and schools, and received media attention.  In the past year alone, we have quadrupled Twitter followers, tripled Facebook fans, quadrupled our general e-blast outreach, expanded our e-blasts with targeted audiences, started using a cohesive, clean, communicative brand, added a personable, story-telling approach with various YLLC highlights, utilized a short-code texting system, written updated, weekly blog pieces, and launched a branded, improved website.  Generous gifts, like that of Mr. Gerald Grubb, have allowed us to take a tremendous stride in closing the achievement gap for the at-risk youth we serve.

Our statistics have shown that students are continuing to improve with our programming.  How do you wish to see our impact over these next ten years?  Write a comment below to share with us where you hope to see our students, their families, our agency, and our mission by 2021.

“I like to provide service to events that will be beneficial and meaningful to the community, children and people in general.  Volunteering my time and service has become second nature to me,” says Gigi.

It is this passion that was truly evident in her many hours of work that she put into our Christmas Party.  With her strong efforts, we were able to provide students and their families with a wonderful, warm holiday meal and social event.

“I think the program teaches each child to be positive, and it creates a better outlook for children as they prepare for the challenges of life,” says Gigi.

We would like to thank Gigi for her undoubtable passion to live by her motto– “Give of yourself and expect nothing in return.”

YLLC-Hillside is starting the 2012 year off right with some very generous donations to enhance education.  Mr. Gerald Grubb, a Metro Nashville Public School teacher, donated three new laptop computers and five new iPads that include at least 125 educational apps for students.  What is more –Gerald made this decision at his own leisure without encouragement from others, which demonstrates his passion and dedication to improving education for Tennessee’s students.

This very generous gift isn’t just new technology; it runs far deeper than that.  Mr. Grubb intentionally donated these items in order to allow YLLC students to experience the same technology that is accessible to other, more privileged students in the state.  Because he wants to give Youth Life’s inner-city students the  same opportunity, he felt how better to do that than with brand new, upgraded technology.

Upon seeing the generous gifts, students were terribly excited.  ”I can’t wait to get on the iPad!” exclaims one student.

“Allowing these students continued access to such advanced technology with the amount of time that Youth Life engages them is vital in closing the achievement gap,” states Mr. Grubb.

So how does this new technology help close the achievement gap?  ”…these devices engage and captivate students; they are learning without realizing it,” says YLLC-Hillside teacher.  ”[the donation] will help students master academic skills at all levels –from learning how to read and gaining additional math skills to practicing writing and grammar skills,” says Yolanda Shields, Youth Life’s CEO.

Technology will never go out of style.  We will see it progressively be a fundamental part of learning as one can access information with ease, learn through various programs and in different ways and broaden their way of thinking.  Familiarity with these devices is key for future success, and the more practice we allow our students to get, the better they will be in classrooms of the future.

Watch our  video to see Mr. Grubb help students interact with their new iPads and listen to what they like most about them.

One requirement we stress is a commitment from YLLC parents or guardians to their child’s attendance at our centers for at least four out of five days per week.  Parent involvement is highly important for our work, as our intentional efforts eventually prove fruitless or undermine what students really need when it does not occur.

However, when Alex’s mother learned of some safety concerns happening in their neighborhood, she felt he should walk directly home after school rather than attending our programming.  Youth Life stepped in to communicate better with his mother.  First, we ensured her that although there were troubles in the neighborhood, our center is a safe place for students to come after school.  We keep doors locked and only sign students out to leave if they are listed on the approved parent or guardians list, which is required to pick up a child to prevent intrusion.  Secondly, YLLC met with both his mother and him to show him how we can make an influence in a positive way.  Alex’s mom is now frequently coming in, thanking teachers and even asking for take-home handwriting worksheets for her son.  

Alex’s YLLC-West teacher was so dedicated to him staying, that she made a deal with him.  If he could attend twenty programming days in a row, he could stay with us.  Each day, his teacher told him to mark a tally on the classroom’s chalkboard, but if he missed one day, he would have to start from the beginning.  We are happy to announce that our efforts have resulted in a 20% improvement in Alex’s attendance!

“We now have better communication with his mother… and they both see the value and benefits of YLLC,” says his YLLC-West teacher.

His teacher and friends are so happy to see him regularly at Youth Life!  When Alex’s teacher asks him why he’s been coming to Youth Life more now, he replies, “It’s fun, because my friends are here.”

Thank you for sticking with it, Alex!

Yolanda Shields, Youth Life Learning Centers CEO was very touched when one YLLC-Riverchase parent said, “I am so glad your organization is in our community and supporting us around Christmas time is such a blessing.”

We would like to thank all of our YLLC volunteers, sponsors, donors, photographers, Bethel World Outreach in Brentwood and families for providing a wonderful Christmas Party this year for our hard-working students.

For more pictures from our “2011 Christmas Party,” visit our Facebook page.

“During homework time, I often hear, ‘I can’t do it’ or ‘this is too hard,’ which inspires me to be there to help and show them that they can do it and nothing is too hard,” says Amber.

To motivate them further, Amber also makes sure to provide incentives for students who are hardworking throughout the week.  One week, she told kids that they could have an ice cream party as a Fun Friday if they were well-behaved throughout the week.  With this prize in mind, students were able to maintain great conduct and were able to have a ball at the ice cream party.

“Seeing their smiles that day meant so much to me.  I’m so happy to be apart of YLLC,” says Amber.

“Can we eat it now?” asked Kelando Eubanks, seven-year-old YLLC student, shortly after decorating his cookie.  Like the students at YLLC with excess icing on their chins, we wish all of our supporters alike a very merry Christmas.  Watch more from our cookie decorating session here.

We hope you can join us for Thursday’s Christmas party at Bethel World Outreach Church at 6 p.m. to volunteer.  Click here to read more.

“..She seemed a little leery and reluctant with us at first, but she is very much a positive attribute to our group now,” says her teacher at YLLC-Easley.  ”She is a great leader, because she takes all aspects of our program seriously and fulfills her responsibilities.  Not only does she work hard on her school and program work, but Terriana even volunteers to do extra work or chores around the center.  The students know she makes the right choices, which is why they voted her as the student who displays the most respect.”

Leadership doesn’t come natural to some.  For some, it takes time and practice.  Whether born or made, we must start taking a closer look at the next generation of leaders.  After all, they are our tomorrow, too.  Don’t you want to make tomorrow better?  

To volunteer with students like Terriana, register today.