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7th grade D’Allan was inducted into the National Beta Club!

Sean made straight A’s the entire 2016-2017 school year!

Sister-duo, Arieona and Dericka, made and maintained honor roll the entire 2016-2017 school year; Arieona with a 3.0 grade point average, and Dericka with a 3.2! Their brother, Derrion, graduated from the CI program this year with three college scholarships!

A’niya was chosen to go on a trip to Washington, D.C. her school’s Student Council. She will be promoted to the 9th grade with honors! This year, she was awarded:

• the Academic Award for a 3.8 grade point average
• the Million Word Reader Award
• the 25 Book Club Award
• the Most Improved Student award

Olivia ranks second of her 8th grade graduating class, and holds the salutatorian position!

We know there are many more stories like these; unfortunately we could not list them all. But we would still love to hear them! Submit them today at dddonahue@ualr.edu – Subject Line: Accomplishments.

As you begin your summer vacations, don’t forget to continue accomplishing – in your community, at your church, in your home, or through volunteering. Our CI agency may be able to offer some volunteer options and resources for you! Just give us a call at (501) 916-3541 and we’ll direct in the right direction.

Congratulations to every CI child and youth for your hard work and accomplishments this year. Don’t stop here! Keep this momentum going for until you reached that graduating stage!

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Our CI Youth Programs staff held its annual Senior Ceremony to honor our class of 2017 ĚÇĐÄVlog´«Ă˝ Little Rock Children International Seniors this month. It was truly an honor to celebrate them for their hard work and dedication in seeing the past 12 years all the way through!

We are happy to report that there were a total of 125 CI youth graduating this year! 45 of them attended the ceremony and was recognized for completing the ĚÇĐÄVlog´«Ă˝ Little Rock CI Youth Program:

• DeArius Allen
• Jakalyn Allison
• Dayana Badgett
• Kristeon Bankston
• Keondric Barron
• BreShun Brown
• Alexis Burns
• Te’Andre Butler
• De’Porchia Canady
• Sammeka Coleman
• Sammya Coleman
• Rodney Cooper
• Carlos Duran
• David Galicia
• MaKaylah Harris
• Kenneth Hayes
• Patrick Hayes
• Jessica Hernandez
• Arijuana Houston
• Carlos Hussian Jr.
• Curtina Jackson
• Elizabeth Jackson
• Tatiyanna Jackson
• Erbie Jennings
• Jayvin Johnson
• Jekalen Jones
• Maria Juarez
• Marice Kelly Jr.
• Taylor Lovelace
• Kameron May
• Ashley Murguia
• David Murley
• Derrion Newman
• Savannah Patterson
• Lekika Perkins
• Zaria Perry
• Areyon Pye
• Tyrell Randolph
• Aaron Sullivan
• Destiny Ticey
• Paola Vazquez
• Justin Watson
• Marvin Watson Jr.
• Stanley White
• Priscilla Wright

The list of their individual accomplishments during the school year was very are impressive! 3.0+ GPAs, highly regarded memberships, working part-time jobs, valedictorians, full-paid scholarships, athletic awards and recognitions, top 100 class rankings, 20+ ACT scores…the list goes on and on!

The list of their collective future plans is very impressive, as well!

• College-bound = 35 (9 will be attending ĚÇĐÄVlog´«Ă˝ Little Rock & 9 will be attending ĚÇĐÄVlog´«Ă˝ Pulaski Tech)
• Military-bound = 8
• Already employed = 18 – some are completing high school with a trade

The awards presented during the ceremony marked bittersweet moments for both the family and friends of the youth; but for the CI staff, as well. We could not help but be proud of our youth as each of their names were called. Especially during the feature award presentations!

Recipients of the 2017 Outstanding Senior Award:

• Elizabeth Jackson
• Jayvin Johnson

Recipients of the 2017 HOPE Scholarship Finalist Award:

• Jakalyn Allison
• Keondric Barron
• Sammeka Coleman
• Sammya Coleman
• Makaylah Harris
• Patrick Hayes
• Erbie Jennings
• Jayvin Johnson
• Kameron May
• Stanley White

Recipients of the 2017 HOPE Scholars Award & HOPE Scholarship Winners:

• Makaylah Harris – not present
• Kameron May
• Sammeka Coleman
• Erbie Jennings
• Jayvin Johnson
• Sammya Coleman
• Stanley White
• Jakalyn Allison

We are so proud of CI youth…but their CI work is not done yet! All of the 2017 CI Seniors are now official CI Alumni. This means that they can continue to participate, be a part of all resources available to them through our agency, and mentor current CI youth. After all, to make the changes in our communities, it takes “the power of (every)ONE”.

If you would like more information about our senior programs and resources, please contact Faith at (501) 916-3541 today!

Congratulations, ĚÇĐÄVlog´«Ă˝ Little Rock Children International

Class of 2017!

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Outstanding Volunteer 2017 – Corrigan Revels & JaCarlos Sheppard (not pictured)

Proud Parent of the Year 2017 – Christa Goldbird

 Outstanding CI Youth 2017 – Jame’cia Belle

2017 Outstanding Community Partner – St. Andrew’s Anglican Church & Arkansas Children’s Hospital

A special moment during the event, as well as bittersweet one, was shared as Jolene Perkins, our Dental Clinic Manager of Future Smiles Dental Clinic, presented Dr. Missy Collins with the Recognition of Service award as the dentist for the Future Smiles Dental Clinic. Included in this presentation was the announcement of Dr. Collins’ resignation. Bombarded by a burst of emotions, Jolene fought to read her prewritten speech and give her thanks to Dr. Collins for dedication to the Future Smiles Dental Clinic, but didn’t quite make it through its entirety. It read:

“When the clinic opened in 2005, an agreement was developed with Arkansas Children’s Hospital (ACH) to contract a dentist. Seven years ago, we found out we would be getting a new dentist from them, but what we did not know was that the new “dentist” was so much more than that! Dr. Missy Collins quickly became an invaluable team member who would help in any way needed in our small office staff! She would carry boxes, pull charts, fill out forms or help in so many more ways than just providing dental services to children…which is no small tasking in itself! 

As a dentist, she has been the absolute BEST with our children. She is kind, patient and understanding. She alleviates fears and gives injections (she refers to as mosquito bites) without the child even knowing an injection was given! 

One first grader we had been trying to get to the clinic for months is now a success story! Jennifer (our dental assistant) would go get her and get far as far into the clinic as she could…the first three times, we couldn’t even get her in the clinic without her crying. Dr. Collins got her a little further each time. At her last appointment, Dr. Collins was able to do a prophy, exam and fluoride varnish! When she came in last week, she got everything including bitewing x-rays. She exclaimed, “I am not afraid to come here anymore!”

This is not the only story like this! Dr. Collins has helped countless children get over their fear of the dentist by taking the time THEY need. She has seen over 10,000 patients and provided more than $1.7 million in dental services at no cost to families! We are going to miss this kind, giving and loving team member and dentist!!” 

This year’s P.O.E. event was definitely one we will always remember! Thank you, Dr. Collins, and our other recipients, for all of your hard work and dedication this year! It does not go unnoticed and it gives strength to our notion that we can accomplish great heights for our community with “the power of every(one)”.

If you would like to find out how you can contribute your power, please call our office at (501) 916-3541.

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The student will show all the many skills, knowledge, and talents they’ve acquired and perfected during the year. They are very excited about their achievements, and we know you will be, as well! If you would like to attend a showcase, they will be held on:

April 19, 2017
Wakefield Elementary School
75 Westminster Drive
Little Rock, AR

April 20, 2017
Wilson Elementary School
4015 Stannus Street
Little Rock, AR

We are very proud of our students’ hard work, and our parents’ dedication, in making this program a success over the years. Did you know that this could potentially be this program’s last year?

Afterschool and summer programs across the country, such as Kids’ Club, are at risk of loosing their 21st Century Community Learning Center initiative funding. The final decision will be made Congress on April 28, 2017. This decision determines whether all afterschool and summer programs will remain open, have their services reduced, or close down altogether.

Thousands of working Arkansas families rely this initiative every year. If it is eliminated, over 12,000 Arkansas students will be voided a support that is so important to their futures. It is important that we let our voices be heard on this matter TODAY!

The ĚÇĐÄVlog´«Ă˝ Little Rock CI agency is asking that every parent, guardian, relative or friend of a student to reach out to our congressman, Rep. French Hill, and ask him to advocate for funding the 21st Century Community Learning Center initiative.

For more information, .

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Participants of our Youth Leadership Training program partnered with the University District, ĚÇĐÄVlog´«Ă˝ Little Rock, and Oak Forest United Methodist Church to clean up a near-by neighborhood park during Keep Little Rock Beautiful.

This event was hosted by the University District organization as an annual service project arranged by trainees.

CI Youth worked primarily in the community garden by picking up trash, planting seeds, raking leaves, pulling weeds, cutting down vines, and tilling the garden. ĚÇĐÄVlog´«Ă˝ Little Rock CI provided garden tools, trash bags, and man-power with a total of 20 youth and parents participating in the clean-up!

FINANCIAL LITERACY WEEK

April 3^rd – 7^th is Financial Literacy Week at CI, and CI youth are partnering with the Arkansas State Treasury, TruService Community Federal Credit Union, the Clinton Foundation, Women’s Foundation, and Economics Arkansas to make this week informative, successful, as well as fun.

The apex of the week will be the 2017 Women’s Financial Health Summit on Wednesday, April 5 from 9:00 am until 2:00 pm at The Great Hall of the Clinton Presidential Center. This summit is designed to address women’s concerns surrounding saving, preparing for higher education expenses and retirement planning. And, more importantly, help women – of all ages – create an open dialogue around money, and why conversations about it is so taboo.

Our youth will serve as Youth Ambassadors, and one of our alumni will contribute their testimonial during the “Letters to My Younger Self” session of the summit.

GAME NIGHT

To cap off the Financial Literacy week, our youth will host our monthly Game Night from 5pm to 7pm. This month’s theme is Casino Night! All games will teach risks vs. rewards, saving vs. spending concepts, and basic money counting.

Come out and bring the whole family! You don’t want to miss it!

There are more events, volunteer and participation opportunities available, but are you connected?! No…well, you get connected! Yes…make sure you stay connected!!

Contact Faith at (501) 916-3541 to find out how you can get your youth involved, TODAY!

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2017 Student Assistant – Summer Youth Employment Opportunity

Salary: $8.50 Hourly  / Location: Little Rock, AR  /  Days: Monday-Thursday (32 hours a week)

POSITION DESCRIPTION

The Assistant will help provide a quality summer camp experience and recreational programming for elementary students enrolled in MYOB Summer Camp. Assistants help with a variety of camp duties throughout the day including tutoring, playground supervision, and activity monitoring. Assistants have the opportunity to mentor younger children while gaining first-hand knowledge of some of the basic aspects of program management. Assistants can also help the rest of the camp staff create and maintain a fun, exciting and safe camp atmosphere for all youth all summer long.

MYOB serves 125 K-4th grade sponsored children and is held at Wakefield Elementary Monday – Thursday. Assistants can start the week after camp begins. During that first week, Assistants will receive training on camp policies and procedures as well as some training on group facilitation and tutoring. The week after the camp ends, Assistants will help clean up and inventory all supplies and complete program evaluation tasks.

JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• assist with a variety of whole group and small group educational, enrichment and recreational programs and activities for students
• assist with program administrative duties such as attendance, breakfast, lunch & snack distribution
• act as a role model and mentor to children
• assist with special events like field trips and product sales events
• other related duties as assigned

KNOWLEDGE, ABILITIES, & SKILLS

• good communication skills
• comfortable working with groups of young children
• able to provide own transportation to camp site
• passion for community service or entrepreneurial initiatives helpful
• experience attending a summer camp helpful
• Spanish helpful

MINIMUM EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• must be at least 16 years of age and have a high level of maturity

Student application submission deadline is March 31st OR when the city has received 1,000 applications.

Time is running out to apply! Submit your applications today! For more information, contact Paula at parogers@ualr.edu or (501) 916-3541.

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Our office was recently visited by Mrs. Janessa and Dr. Andrew Rogerson, the new ĚÇĐÄVlog´«Ă˝ Little Rock Chancellor!

Chancellor Rogerson has, in his 6-month tenure, been on a familiarization tour to the various departments and parts of the University. Children International’s integral role as one of ĚÇĐÄVlog´«Ă˝ little Rock’s primary community program made this an important and timely visit.

Chancellor and Mrs. Rogerson met with our agency in an effort to have a greater understanding of how we are connected with ĚÇĐÄVlog´«Ă˝ Little Rock and how we connect the University to the community that we serve.

They were able to share with our staff the ways they would like to see the relationship between the University and its community grow stronger and, how we can continue and extend our impact.

As a community-based program that is attached to the state’s only metropolitan university, we recognize that our agency plays a vital role. Our agency is in support of working within the University to exemplify its goal, and continuing to build with our community!

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