Academic/Tutoring Each resident is provided with a well structured academically based environment. Children in our care attend various public schools in the Henry County School System. Because of a well established relationship between A Friend’s House and the school system, residents are offered a diverse curriculum as a means of enhancing their academic success and personal growth.
Residents receive regular and special educational services (when applicable), advanced courses for gifted and talented students, and an array of electives and tutoring services. In addition to the support provided by the Henry County School System, A Friend’s House employs a full-time Academic Coordinator who provides educational services on-site to support the efforts of the schools. Daily tutorials are completed to ensure that the residents have every opportunity to succeed academically. Activities/Outings A Friend’s House implements daily activities for our residents to include monthly outings to local events throughout Henry County and metro Atlanta. We work hard to provide not only fun but educational and cultural opportunities. These include visits to: APEX Museum, Atlanta History Center, Fernbank Science Center, Plays at 7 Stages Theaters, Martin Luther King Center, etc. Sporting events are also a favorite including Atlanta Braves, Hawks and Thrashers and our new Atlanta Dream Team. In addition to the planned outings, internal programs are offered to residents: Academic Activities, Independent Living Activities, Life Skill Activities, At Risk Activities, Character Building Activities, and Therapeutic Activities. Time is scheduled for Fitness Activities, Community Service Opportunities, Group Counseling sessions, Guest Speakers, Creative Art/Music Time, shopping and of course free time. Special events are scheduled as needed or requested with the help of volunteers to include: Friday Night Theme parties, Ice-Cream Socials, Cookouts, Arts & Crafts, Luau Parties, Movie Nights, Fishing Trips, Holiday Theme Parties, etc. If you or a group would like to sponsor an outing such as Six Flags, Day Passes to Stone Mountain or an upcoming UGA or GA Tech football game, please contact us at 678-432-1630.
At Risk Program
This program is geared toward educating residents about at risk behaviors and their consequences. Residents participate in at risk educational activities which are conducted by AFH staff 1-2 times a week. Areas highlighted in this program include topics such as: abstinence, STD education, abuse, violence, anger management, bullying, gang violence, stress, smoking, substance abuse, peer-pressure, self-esteem, sexuality issues, eating disorders, strategies for maintaining mental/emotional/physical health, decision making/problem solving, theft, vandalism, and truancy. Guest speakers on any of the aforementioned topics are also included to give real life examples, interesting statistics, etc.
Independent Living/Life Skills Program
This program is designed to educate residents and equip them with the skills needed to be able to live successfully on their own in the future. Residents participate in staff led independent living/life skills activities 2-3 times a week. Independent Living activities include activities, discussions and guest speakers that cover topics such as: finances (checking/savings accounts), budgets and money management, banking online, college research, filling out job applications, developmental assets, identifying community resources, how to make travel arrangements, occupation exploration and vehicle maintenance (changing oil, changing a flat tire, and proper use of jumper cables).
Life skills are instilled in the residents through daily chores and routines. AFH staff supervises and assists residents with learning the appropriate ways to complete such tasks as: proper hygiene habits, cleaning room correctly, sorting and washing laundry, ironing, mending/hemming clothes, washing dishes, properly storing/labeling food, cooking/planning meals, using power tools, changing tires, and proper use of jumper cables.
If you have experience in any of the above areas and would like to lead discussions, develop and conduct activities, please contact us!
Family Visitation
This program ensures that the children residing at AFH will be able to receive family contact from family members who have been approved by the Department of Family and Children Services (DFCS). Our goal is to help families in need become strong independent families again by having supervised week night
family visits with their children. Meetings are held at A Friend's House. Unless otherwise court ordered, all visitations are supervised by A Friend's House staff as well as trained volunteers.
We are in need of your help. Volunteers must be willing to donate 1 to 2 sessions (1½ hour) a month. AFH will provide all necessary training. Interested volunteers willing to assist us in this program must complete our volunteer orientation. AFH will provide all necessary training.
Sports/Recreation
Physical activity is a vital element in the development of good health & a positive self-image. Research has proven that sports can be used to teach important life lessons. AFH has implemented a comprehensive sports program for residents of all ages and in fact, plans are underway to build an outdoor basketball court and pavilion area. Completion of this project is estimated to be late summer, 2008. Your involvement in our sports program may include helping us with tennis lessons (summer only), basketball games, baseball, soccer, volleyball or dance lessons. If you have a background in providing coaching or instruction of a particular sport or any other type of physical activity, please contact us.
For more information on the above programs or interest in volunteering, please contact Elaine Epps, Volunteer Coordinator at A Friend’s House 678-432-1630 ext 216 or
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
|
