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LA’s BEST AFTER SCHOOL ENRICHMENT PROGRAM ANNUAL REPORT 2005–2006 Caught in the Act… of Success 1 2 All children need a safe place to be after school with caring, responsible adults and engaging activities that connect each child to family, school and community. The mission of LA’s BEST is to provide a safe and supervised after school education, enrichment and recreation program for elementary school children ages 5 to12 in the City of Los Angeles. CAUGHT IN THE ACT OF SUCCESS 2 HIGHLIGHTS OF THE YEAR 4 OUR PROGRAM 6 SPECIAL ACTIVITIES & EXCURSIONS 10 SCHOOL SITE MAP 12 GETTING INVOLVED 14 DONATIONS 16 IN-KIND CONTRIBUTIONS 19 FINANCIAL STATEMENT 21 GOVERNANCE 24 SPECIAL ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 30 1 Caught in the Act… of Success Every school day, 26,000 children in 168 elementary afternoon. Nothing less than the future of each child is at Project and one of Los Angeles’ most influential social justice schools across Los Angeles grab their backpacks as the stake. An LA’s BEST staff member is not just a tutor or advocates, “LA’s BEST offers one of the most effective final bell rings. These children do not head for home, activities coordinator, but a role model and a source of public-private models for delivering programs that keep or the street, or any place where they might be alone, inspiration, right there in the neighborhood. kids safe and learning after schools close their doors.” without supervision or something worthwhile to do — or worse, get into trouble. Instead, they walk down the hall or SAFE UNTIL SIX A BRIGHTER FUTURE across the courtyard to the site of LA’s BEST (Better There are no television shows. Keeping kids out of harm’s way is just the beginning. Educated Students for Tomorrow), a free after school LA’s BEST achieves long-term, positive results. No video games. No drugs, no gangs, no worries. enrichment program where they find a nutritious snack A UCLA study released this year found that students to quell before-dinner hunger pangs — and a game to play, There’s no junk food. And no boredom. who attend LA’s BEST are 20 percent less likely to drop a book to read, a picture to paint, a song to sing, a ball to Nationally recognized among after school programs, out of school than those who don’t participate in the kick, a field trip to take, or help with the day’s homework. LA’s BEST makes a real difference in the lives of the young program. In providing students with opportunities to children it serves, many of whom come from families that acquire important social skills, improve their academic ENGAGING HEARTS AND MINDS struggle to make ends meet, in communities that must performance, explore the city’s cultural offerings, engage A key to the unique success of LA’s BEST is its 1,800 fight to keep streets, and their children, safe. If left on in physical activity, and develop relationships of trust with field staff, who come from the local community and know their own, these children might spend afternoons not caring adults, LA’s BEST lays a foundation for future the kids and their culture, their values, and the realities — learning something new, getting exercise, finding artistic success, for our students and our communities. often difficult challenges — that shape their lives. expression or completing their school assignments. In fact, If, as the saying goes, actions speak louder than words — LA’s BEST staff act as mentors and friends, guides and one of the primary benefits of LA’s BEST is providing kids and one picture is worth a thousand — then this annual teachers, to the children in their charge. They believe that with a fun and safe place to go until 6:00 in the report tells a full and exuberant tale. These are the chil- the positive relationships they build are key to the healthy evening, during what experts call the “high-risk time” after dren of LA’s BEST, caught in the act of moving, learning, development of the students, and that much depends on school lets out and before a parent gets off work. In the playing and creating. The act of growing. Of thriving. the quality of the interactions that occur every weekday words of Connie Rice, co-founder of the Advancement Caught in the act... of success. 2 3 A four-year study of LA’s BEST found that students who attend the program are 20 percent less likely to drop out of school. Highlights of the Year WHAT THE NUMBERS SAY work habits, and improved academic performance through Additionally, LA’s BEST President and CEO, Carla Sanger, A four-year study of LA’s BEST After School Enrichment tutoring and enrichment activities. To read a full copy of was appointed by Governor Schwarzenegger to the Program found that students who attend the program are the report, visit the Resources section of the LA’s BEST California State Advisory Committee on Before and After 20 percent less likely to drop out of school. The study, Web site at www.lasbest.org. School Programs. Key operations staff have worked as released in February 2006, was conducted by the National regional leads and policy planners in statewide networks Center for Research on Evaluation, Standards and Student TAKING THE LEAD of after school providers, and in the corporate office, a Testing (CRESST) at UCLA. Nearly 6,000 students who In the last year, we have explored exhilarating new ways new position of Director of External Affairs has led to the participated in LA’s BEST for up to three years were to strengthen our connections at the local, state and creation of more national partnerships than ever before in compared to 6,000 similar Los Angeles Unified School national levels. LA’s BEST was instrumental in helping to our history, including alliances with the NBA, the NFL, District students who did not attend the program. The draft legislation for state implementation of Proposition NASCAR, Usher Foundation, and Discovery Channel, to study also found that LA’s BEST students benefited from 49, a ballot initiative passed by voters in 2002 that name but a few. And finally, LA’s BEST has been identified supervision during high-risk times when juvenile crime extended access to state funding of after school programs as a provider of best practices by prestigious national peaks (after school and into the early evening), experiences to every elementary and middle school in the state organizations such as the Academy for Educational that promoted development of social skills and positive and more than tripled the amount of funds available. Development and Harvard Family Research Project. 4 OUR NEW BEST FRIENDS and nominations. LA’s BEST Friends has built a community students and their families to get more exercise, become The past year has been a period of strategic growth for that is welcoming, fresh, and entrepreneurial, with an savvy about food choices and nutrition labels, drink more LA’s BEST Friends, the young professionals’ network that ambitious plan of work for the year ahead. water, eat more fruits and vegetables, and have fun while supports LA’s BEST. Over the past year, the group has choosing a healthier lifestyle. In April, BEST Fit held the raised nearly $100,000 and tripled the size of its member- ON THE MOVE WITH BEST FIT fourth annual Health Fair, themed “Health Fiesta” and ship. A series of innovative, stylish “friendraisers” and Over the past year, BEST Fit — a special health, fitness focused on Latino culture. The event drew close to 1,500 volunteer activities with LA’s BEST students raised money and nutrition program of LA’s BEST — expanded to 50 attendees from 26 LA’s BEST communities, who spent the and awareness for this supporting organization of LA’s BEST school sites. With support from such donors as day engaged in hands-on educational activities, games LA’s BEST. In February 2006, BEST Friends founded a The California Endowment ($301,050) and QueensCare and other fun events intended to promote health aware- separate governing board with 22 diverse and accom- ($34,950), the program continues to grow, with an ness in students, their families and LA’s BEST staff. The plished members representing different industries in expectation that by next year, it will be running at 120 sites annual fair will continue to grow and include participation Los Angeles. Various committees of the board focus on and reach more than 6,000 kids. All indications are that by all LA’s BEST sites: Attendance at the 2007 Health different priority areas of the group: events, membership, BEST Fit is making great strides — partly by encouraging Fiesta is expected to near 10,000! volunteers, finance and strategic planning, fundraising, the kids to take great strides themselves — in getting the 5 Caught in the Act… of Learning Our Program CORE ACTIVITIES ENHANCED PROGRAMS KidzLit consists of a collection of 120 books and companion LA’s BEST children have a safe and supervised place to In addition to daily core activities, LA’s BEST has several guides that encourage children’s engagement when they call home from the end of each school day until 6 p.m. special programs available to students, including: read or hear stories read aloud. The KidzMath program During these critical hours after school, each LA’s BEST gives children extra practice with important skills needed After School Arts Program (ASAP) includes visual art, site provides homework assistance, a nutritious snack, to become confident math learners. Children develop music, dance, drama and poetry classes, and features and a variety of education, enrichment and recreation math proficiencies and social skills while having fun with artists/educators-in-residence working with the LA’s BEST activities — all at no cost to parents.