/news-archive/tag/ryan-davis/ ����Vlog��ý Little Rock Wed, 07 Aug 2019 17:37:44 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 /news-archive/2019/08/07/children-international-meghan-markle-forces-change/ Wed, 07 Aug 2019 17:37:44 +0000 /news/?p=74854 ... Meghan Markle and Prince Harry: Children International among ‘Forces for Change’]]> Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, and her husband Prince Harry, have recognized , the global humanitarian nonprofit that seeks to eradicate poverty, among 15 people or organizations worldwide that are inspiring and noteworthy as ‘.” �� Of the 10 countries that Children International serves, the ����Vlog��ý Little Rock Children International location is the only U.S. site. The ����Vlog��ý Little Rock center serves approximately 2,300 children and youth in central Arkansas and offers a variety of school- and community-based programs, including after-school and summer programming, cooking classes, emergency food assistance, a children’s choir, dental and medical services, and college preparation and career training. “This very positive announcement recognizes how important Children International’s work has been over the past 80 years,” said Ryan Davis, director of ����Vlog��ý Little Rock Children International. “Our organization doesn’t exist to be recognized, but being recognized by members of the British Royal Family gives people a chance to understand our mission and to support the good work our organization is doing.” ����Vlog��ý Little Rock Children International, celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, holds health education, enrichment, and employment preparation classes for children, youth, and young adults up to age 24. The operation began small with Cheryl Chapman, founding director, and one other employee located in an office on ����Vlog��ý Little Rock’s campus. Students from ����Vlog��ý Little Rock’s Student Literacy Corps started by serving as tutors to 60 students at Bale Elementary. Now the organization operates a dental clinic at Wakefield Elementary and partners with Arkansas Children’s Hospital’s health clinic at Stephens Elementary. ����Vlog��ý Little Rock Children International holds after-school, in-school, and community-based educational and enrichment programs at nine Little Rock School District schools and within city community centers and public libraries.���� This Saturday, Aug. 10, ����Vlog��ý Little Rock Children International is undertaking one of its largest events of the year, the Back to School Jamboree where school supplies will be distributed to approximately 1,000 children. In partnership with the ����Vlog��ý Little Rock Children International will host the event from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 10, at the Jack Stephens Center. Anyone who is interested in volunteering can contact Stephanie Jones, ����Vlog��ý Little Rock Children International volunteer and outreach coordinator, at 501-663-5541 or spjones@ualr.edu. “We are fortunate to have a partner providing school supplies this year,” Davis said. “, a public accounting firm in Little Rock, has donated supplies and is hosting a staff-wide service day on Friday to help pack school supplies. The Junior League of Little Rock has also been a great partner in this event and is bringing a lot of volunteers, food, fun, and school supplies.” Worldwide, Children International helps more than 200,000 children find a with programs focused on health, education, empowerment through life skills development, and employment. Many of Children International’s volunteer partners are mothers (some 9,000 strong) whose children participate in its programs in 67 community centers around the world. “We are thrilled and honored that the Royal couple is recognizing Children International as a leading and inspiring force for change,” said Susana Eshleman,�� president and CEO of Children International. “We hope our new turn in the spotlight will encourage people from all parts of the globe to join us and embrace our mission of creating a world without poverty, where every child, family and community is connected, productive and thriving. Thank you, Royal family, for raising awareness of work to create positive change in the world!” posted a collage of photos taken from nine of the 15 mission-driven efforts: “Many of you have suggested that we use this month as an opportunity to highlight lesser-known organisations and shine a light on those working hard behind the scenes that may not get the level of attention that they so rightly deserve. “These accounts showcase those persevering at the grassroots level, connecting our global community through a shared lens of giving back and helping one another,” the statement on Instagram continued. “We were so happy to learn about them and are now able to share them with you!” In addition to Children International, the Sussex Royal’s “Forces of Change” organizations unveiled today were , , , , , , , , , , , , , ��and . Anyone who is interested in supporting ����Vlog��ý Little Rock Children International is encouraged to visit the website and find out how they can help the organization and its mission. “We are always looking for ways to expand our programs so we can help more children in Arkansas,” Davis said. “Financial support is one of the most immediate ways, but we also appreciate having good ambassadors in the community and for folks to learn about us and what we do. We have a staff of less than 20 people, so we depend on good volunteers. We are lucky that we have so many, but we always more people who want to help our local children.”�� In the upper right photo, ����Vlog��ý Little Rock Children International celebrates its top supporters and partners during its 25th anniversary celebration. Those pictured (L to R) include Joseph Lampo, director of development and external relations for the ����Vlog��ý Little Rock College of Arts, Letters, and Sciences: Little Rock School District Superintendent Dr. Michael Poore; Outstanding Volunteer Brandy Jones; Outstanding Youth De’Meir King; Chrissy Chatham and Weldon Johnson of Delta Dental of Arkansas Foundation; and ����Vlog��ý Little Rock Children International Director Ryan Davis.��]]> /news-archive/2019/04/24/ua-little-rock-children-international-celebrates-25-years/ Wed, 24 Apr 2019 17:37:31 +0000 /news/?p=74105 ... ����Vlog��ý Little Rock Children International celebrates 25 years of helping children]]> In 1994, Cheryl Chapman, the founding director of ����Vlog��ý Little Rock Children International, wanted to find a way for ����Vlog��ý Little Rock to get more involved with helping students in the Little Rock School District.�� “We were tutoring in public schools in Little Rock, and we learned about the needs of the children in the schools. We also had students who wanted to work more with the schools, so it was a perfect match,” Chapman said. Then an assistant dean in the former College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences, Chapman and her colleagues applied for a grant from Children International. Initially called “Share America,” it represented Children International’s first domestic site in the U.S. “In 1995, under the leadership of Chancellor Charles Hathaway, the Office of Campus and Community Partnerships was born and Share America became part of ����Vlog��ý Little Rock’s commitment to engage students in service and learning activities,” she said. The operation began small with just Chapman and one other employee located in an office on ����Vlog��ý Little Rock’s campus. Students from ����Vlog��ý Little Rock’s Student Literacy Corps served as tutors to 60 students at Bale Elementary. In 1995, the Homework Center, Children International’s current office, opened. Students from Bale and Franklin Elementary schools received tutoring and attended after-school classes in art, computers, reading, and gardening taught by ����Vlog��ý Little Rock graduate students and local artists. ����Vlog��ý Little Children International celebrated its 25th anniversary with an April 19 gathering at ����Vlog��ý Little Rock Downtown, where many came together to share stories about the program’s accomplishments and impact on children in central Arkansas. Director Ryan Davis said the sight of so many friends and supporters at the celebration made him optimistic for the organization’s future. “When I look around the room, I see all the people we can count as friends, and that is a fortunate thing,” Davis said. “We are fortunate to have so many partners who have stuck with us for 25 years, and we are looking forward to many more. This success is made possible by our partnerships with ����Vlog��ý Little Rock, Little Rock School District, and so many wonderful parents, students, volunteers, partners, and supporters.” The ����Vlog��ý Little Rock program serves approximately 2,300 children and youth in central Arkansas. The program has grown extensively over the years and now offers a variety of school- and community-based programs, including after-school and summer programming, cooking classes, emergency food assistance, a children’s choir, and college preparation and career training. “We serve students in kindergarten through age 24 in four areas of focus,” said Paula Rogers, program engagement manager at ����Vlog��ý Little Rock Children International. “We want to make sure that our kids are healthy, educated, empowered, and employable. We have health programs to develop healthy habits and connect kids with the services they need. We provide quality after-school and summer programs. We build leadership, teamwork, and competence in our youth so they can go out and empower their communities. We help them develop life skills and social responsibility.” Vakeyia Dulaney, a graduate of ����Vlog��ý Little Rock Children International’s program, said being a part of the program changed her life. She started the program when she was 6, went on to graduate from ����Vlog��ý Little Rock, and now works in forensic science for the state. “I feel like Children International was the best thing ever,” Dulaney said. “It was a great opportunity to meet kids from other neighborhoods. It offered me a lot of opportunities, and I went on to college with their encouragement and support.” During the celebration, Children International honored several key people and organizations that have supported the nonprofit over the years, including: Outstanding Youth: De’Meir King Outstanding Volunteer: Brandy Jones Outstanding Partner: Delta Dental of Arkansas Foundation Outstanding Supporter: Windgate Foundation Legacy Award: Little Rock School District Thanks to a generous donation from the Windgate Foundation, Children International will be able to provide additional art programming opportunities for children as well as more scholarships. To start, Children International will expand its summer art camp to include middle school students as well as extend the camp to Fridays. The theme of this year’s camp is “Art in Action.” It centers around creative and performing arts and will provide an opportunity for campers to explore the role they and art play in their communities. Children International will also be able to expand the Hope college scholarship from a one-time scholarship to a four-year renewable scholarship. Additionally, Delta Dental of Arkansas Foundation has been instrumental in working with Children International to provide dental services for children. In 2000, ����Vlog��ý Little Rock Children International and its partner organizations established the Future Smiles Dental Program to provide services to children without access to adequate dental care. The program started with dental screenings, added a school-based sealant project in 2002, and opened the Future Smiles Dental Clinic in 2005. ��Delta Dental has provided generous funding for the program as well as medical personnel to staff the dental clinics. Dental students from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences also volunteer at the clinics. Outstanding Youth De’Meir King, a junior at Hall High School, was brought to tears as she spoke about the impact Children International has had on her life. “When I hear about Children International, I get emotional. I love being a part of it,” King said. “CI has become my home away from home. I know that whatever I do, I will be greater because of CI. They have helped me find my voice. Thank you to CI for knowing that I have no limitations.” In the upper right photo, ����Vlog��ý Little Rock Children International celebrates its top supporters and partners during its 25^th anniversary celebration. Those pictured (L to R) include Joseph Lampo, director of development and external relations for the ����Vlog��ý Little Rock College of Arts, Letters, and Sciences: Little Rock School District Superintendent Dr. Michael Poore; Outstanding Volunteer Brandy Jones; Outstanding Youth De’Meir King; Chrissy Chatham and Weldon Johnson of Delta Dental of Arkansas Foundation; and ����Vlog��ý Little Rock Children International Director Ryan Davis. Photo by Stephanie Jones.��]]> /news-archive/2019/04/10/ua-little-rock-children-international-25th-anniversary/ Wed, 10 Apr 2019 15:33:29 +0000 /news/?p=73973 ... ����Vlog��ý Little Rock Children International to celebrate 25th anniversary]]> The University of Arkansas at Little Rock and Children International will celebrate the 25th anniversary of a one-of-a-kind partnership that has transformed tens of thousands of lives in central Arkansas over the past 25 years.�� “Together, we cultivate hope in the lives of children and create generational change,” ����Vlog��ý Little Rock Children International Director Ryan Davis said. “Help us celebrate those who make it possible: our dedicated staff, committed volunteers, partners, and certainly, the young people improving their lives and neighborhoods.” During the celebration, ����Vlog��ý Little Rock Children International will honor several of the people, partners, and supporters who have made the nonprofit what it is today, including: Outstanding Youth: De’Meir King Outstanding Volunteer: Brandy Jones Outstanding Partner: Delta Dental of Arkansas Foundation Outstanding Supporter: Windgate Foundation Legacy Award: Little Rock School District Funded by the global Children International nonprofit organization, the ����Vlog��ý Little Rock program serves approximately 2,300 children and youth in central Arkansas. Of the 10 countries that Children International serves, the ����Vlog��ý Little Rock Children International location is the only U.S. site. The program offers a variety of school- and community-based programs, including after-school and summer programming, cooking classes, emergency food assistance, a children’s choir, and college preparation and career training. “We serve students in kindergarten through age 24 in four areas of focus,” said Paula Rogers, program engagement manager at ����Vlog��ý Little Rock Children International. “We want to make sure that our kids are healthy, educated, empowered, and employable. We have health programs to develop healthy habits and connect kids with the services they need. We provide quality after-school and summer programs. We build leadership, teamwork, and competence in our youth so they can go out and empower their communities. We help them develop life skills and social responsibility.” The celebration will take place from 5:30-7:30 p.m. on Friday, April 19, at ����Vlog��ý Little Rock Downtown, 333 President Clinton Ave. RSVP to Ryan Davis at rddavis1@ualr.edu or 501-663-5541 by April 12. ]]> /news-archive/2017/02/06/ualr-children-international-2017/ Mon, 06 Feb 2017 14:50:49 +0000 /news/?p=66213 ... ����Vlog��ý Little Rock Children International receives $400k for renovations]]> Certified as the only Children International site in the country, the nonprofit organization received $400,000 from Children International to help enhance the appearance of the location. Located on Fair Park Boulevard for more than 23 years, members of the ����Vlog��ý��Little Rock Children International community are excited to witness the long-awaited changes. “The timing is perfect,” said director Ryan Davis. “Before, all that mattered was that we were able to store whatever benefits that we were going to give out but now, it’s important that we have workable space for us to do the things that they’ve mandated us to do.” ����Vlog��ýLR Children International serves 3,000 children and youth. With such high volumes of participation, programs are usually done in other locations. Without a permanent space, the organization remains in a state of instability. “People don’t really identify this place as a program space,” Davis said. “We need a space that people can have a visceral connection to.” Before Davis became the director of ����Vlog��ý��Little Rock Children International, the youth gathered together in efforts to raise money for more space. Although they raised a significant amount, it was not enough for the space that they’d envisioned. “We promised the youth that there would be a space for them to enjoy as their own, and we’re glad to be able to deliver that promise to them,” Davis said. Due to most of the funds being used for the main building, ����Vlog��ý��Little Rock Children International staff will work to redesign the two adjacent buildings along with the playground. ���� The upcoming renovations will include removing a wall, new floors, new furniture, fresh paint and wifi. The remodeling is scheduled to conclude before or after spring break in March. For more information, contact Ryan Davis at rddavis1@ualr.edu.]]>