Aspire Afterschool Parent and Community

Learning ROCKS is an original Aspire program, achieving real results for more than 100 3rd-5th grade students from historically underserved communities through daily afterschool and summer programs. Each year, more than 90% of our students improve their reading instructional levels. Aspire's flagship Learning ROCKS! Program supports upper-elementary students' general academic achievement and social-emotional development, placing a heavy emphasis on helping students to develop both their reading skills and a love of reading. The Learning Links AmeriCorps Program provides a critical link across the three main aspects of a child’s daily experience: at school; after school and in the summer; and at home/in the community. Toward this end, Aspire partners closely with and supports both schools and parents. The Parent Connection Program, which is implemented by the Parent & Community AmeriCorps Member, is an integral component of Aspire's program and has three overarching objectives, each of which contributes to healthy homes and communities in which children can thrive: 1) Parents are able to effectively engage in and support their child’s education; 2) Adults are able to form safe, productive home and community environments; and 3) Adults are able to develop their individual skills and interests and to become community leaders. These objectives are met through regular topic-based Parent Connection workshops across three sites.