- University News Archive - ��Vlog��ý Little Rock

��Vlog��ý Little Rock Children International seeking donations, volunteers to purchase back to school supplies

Ajani Oyindamola — Tue, 17 Jul 2018 13:13:47 +0000

University of Arkansas at Little Rock is seeking donations to purchase school supplies for hundreds of children in Little Rock. In partnership with the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Children International will host its annual Back to School Jamboree from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 11, at the Jack Stephens Center on the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock campus. Children International believes that education can help children overcome poverty. Many of the families Children International serves lack the funds and resources to provide school supplies for their children. Just $10 is enough to provide basic school supplies for one child on their first day of school. Donations can be made by visiting this website. Donors should select “Other” in the fund category and type Children International in the box. Children International is also recruiting volunteers to assist with the Back to School Jamboree, where school supplies will be distributed to children. Bilingual speakers are especially encouraged to consider volunteering to help serve the growing Spanish-speaking population of the area. Volunteers are needed to assist with registration, check in volunteers, hand out school supplies, manage stations, help children write letters, and other activities. The jamboree benefits Children International-sponsored youths in Little Rock and their families. Activities will include health education and screening stations, games, a community resource fair, and the distribution of school supplies. The event will also feature the Junior League of Little Rock’s “Boosters and Big Rigs.” The free community event provides children with an educational and fun opportunity to explore community vehicles like ambulances, fire trucks, police cars, and more. Children will participate in a variety of games and activities while free lunch is also provided. For more information, contact Stephanie Jones, ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Children International volunteer and outreach coordinator, at 501-663-5541 or spjones@ualr.edu.

Student entrepreneurs raise money for ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Children International Scholarship Fund

Ajani Oyindamola — Tue, 10 Jul 2018 14:25:00 +0000

Young entrepreneurs participating in the University of Arkansas at Little Rock “ACHIEVE” summer camp will sell their business products July 14 and July 19 to raise money for the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Children International Scholarship Fund. This is the 15th year of the program, which serves 125 kindergarten through fourth-grade students, who are spending six weeks in the summer enrichment program learning how to become entrepreneurs and developing their own products and business plans. The goods created by the hard-working student entrepreneurs will be on sale from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, July 14, at the Farmers Market at the at 400 President Clinton Ave. The students will also be at the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock University District Farmers Market from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Thursday, July 19. The market is held in the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Plaza parking lot at 5820 Asher Ave. The products for sale include coasters created by the kindergarteners, watercolor calendars by the first graders, and watercolor greeting cards and artwork by the second graders, as well as wire-people greeting cards by third graders and potpourri pouches titled “Unique EsScents” by the veteran fourth graders. During the summer program, instructors taught students the financial literacy and entrepreneurial skills needed to run a business, including how to speak to customers and investors, how to handle money, create a budget, and save money for a business.

These homemade products created by the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Children International students will be on sale July 14 and July 19 to raise money for student scholarships.

“The youth are learning to be socially responsible and understand they can make a difference,” said Paula Rogers, program engagement manager at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Children International. Our goal is to eradicate poverty. If our youth learn how to empower themselves by becoming entrepreneurs, they can find a way to reverse their situation.” In the past 14 years, the young entrepreneurs have raised more than $20,000 selling their homemade products in support of local charities. This year’s funds will go to the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Children International Scholarship Fund, which supports graduating seniors and recipients of the HOPE Scholarship. Last year, ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Children International students donated more than $900 to “Victory Over Violence” campaign organizers from KARK and Fox16. ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Children International is a nonprofit organization established in 1994 as a partnership between the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and Children International, a Kansas City-based organization serving students in kindergarten through 24 years of age through programs and services in the areas of health, education, employment, and empowerment. ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Children International is the only site in the United States and will celebrate 25 years of operation in 2019.

��Vlog��ý Little Rock Children International receives $400k for renovations

Jenny Lambert — Mon, 06 Feb 2017 14:50:49 +0000

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock Children International facility is set to undergo renovations this spring. 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.

��Vlog��ýLR scholarship program addresses shortage of science and math teachers in Arkansas

Ajani Oyindamola — Fri, 02 Dec 2016 14:49:12 +0000

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock is hoping to fill a shortage of science and mathematics teachers in Arkansas by offering up to $20,000 in scholarships to eligible juniors and seniors. Scholarships are available for ��Vlog��ýLR juniors and seniors who are enrolled in a science or math degree program and are interested in pursuing a related teaching license. The ��Vlog��ýLR Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program offers a $5,000 scholarship each semester of their junior and senior year, up to $20,000. Applications are being accepted for scholarships in the spring 2017 semester. ��Vlog��ýLR, through a secondary education teacher preparation initiative, offers the scholarships thanks to a nearly $1.2 million grant from the National Science Foundation announced in 2015. “STEM teachers are a high shortage area in the state of Arkansas,” said Gail Hughes, associate professor in the Educational Foundations Unit of the Department of Educational Leadership. “Those teachers are in high demand, and having excellent STEM teachers is important to preparing the next generation of STEM leaders in our state.” The program has awarded 12 scholarships since 2015. Scholarship recipients develop their skills while engaging young people with STEM concepts and activities by teaching one STEM lesson at a high-needs school in Little Rock School District every other week. “We have them teach in the schools to give them additional classroom experience,” Hughes said. “When they begin their internship semesters, they have more confidence, more practice, and have learned tips from another teacher in their specialty area.” Scholarship recipients also sign a contract to teach one year in a high-needs school in the United States for every semester the scholarship is received. The ��Vlog��ýLR Noyce Scholars program is a collaboration of ��Vlog��ýLR, Henderson Middle School, ��Vlog��ýLR Children International, and the Museum of Discovery. It uses a multi-pronged approach to tackling the state’s shortage of science and mathematics teachers, particularly in high-need schools. For more information and for details about how to apply, visit the website.

��Vlog��ýLR Children International delivers school supplies to 900 children

Ajani Oyindamola — Wed, 24 Aug 2016 17:31:54 +0000

As Little Rock children began another school year, many families got a helping hand as University of Arkansas at Little Rock Children’s International distributed back-to-school supplies to more than 900 children. In partnership with the, ��Vlog��ýLR Children’s International held the Back to School Jamboree Saturday, Aug. 13, at the ��Vlog��ýLR Jack Stephens Center. The event also featured a community resource fair, free health and dental screenings, health education activities, and games. “We do this event to make sure that the kids have what they need to go back to school, but the event has gotten much larger in the last few years,” said Stephanie Jones, ��Vlog��ýLR Children International volunteer and outreach coordinator. “By partnering with the Junior League, we have been able to expand our reach and provide our families with more resources.” The center was packed as more than 1,900 people attended the community event. Of those, 70 children received sports physicals, 115 kids received vision screenings, and 539 children received dental screenings. The American Pharmacists Association Academy of Student Pharmacists gave free blood sugar and blood pressure screenings to adults, while children participated in games to learn about diabetes, heart health, and medication safety. Brad Briggs, a third year student at University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences College of Pharmacy, said it is important for parents to teach their children about health. “We give these screenings so adults can pass this information to their kids and be a good example to their kids,” Briggs said. “One day, we hope their children will be healthy adults because of what their parents learned.” Outside the Jack Stephens Center, the carnival atmosphere continued with a free lunch of hotdogs, fresh fruit, and chips. Meanwhile, members of the community donated time and equipment to entertain the masses of children who attended the jamboree. Redstone Construction and Razorback Concrete Co. provided concrete mixer trucks. Firefighters from the Little Rock Fire Department were on hand with a fire truck, while ABF Freight supplied a big rig. Michael Bell, of Redstone Construction, laughed as children excitedly climbed into the bed of his truck and turned on the concrete mixer. Brothers and sisters hastily covered their ears while their siblings honked the horn as loudly as possible. “This is my first year attending this event,” Bell said. “We wanted to show the families that we care, and that we are trying to be a part of the community.” Park rangers with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers were on hand to give kids the chance to captain a ranger airboat from Millwood Lake. The rangers were promoting water safety and life jacket usage. Miranda Davis, of Cabot, attended the jamboree with her husband and three children. Her 2-year-old son, James, happily “steered” the airboat while waving to his mother and older sisters. “I’m not sure they will be able to get him off that boat,” Davis joked. “We’ve been on the fire truck and the other vehicles. My son is all about trucks and cars right now. Everyone has been so nice, and I think this is a good thing they are doing for the children and the community.” In the upper right photo, brothers Alex and Joel Banilla have fun at the ��Vlog��ýLR Children International Back to School Jamboree. Photo submitted by Stephanie Jones.

Volunteers needed for ��Vlog��ýLR Children International Back to School Jamboree

Ajani Oyindamola — Wed, 20 Jul 2016 18:23:55 +0000

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock Children International will give school supplies to more than 1,000 children affected by poverty in Little Rock. In partnership with the ��Vlog��ýLR Children International will host its annual Back to School Jamboree from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 13, at ��Vlog��ýLR Jack Stephens Center. The jamboree is a community event for Children International-sponsored children and youth in Little Rock and their families. Activities will include health education and screening stations, games and activities, a community resource fair, and the distribution of school supplies. Children International is recruiting volunteers to assist with the event. Bilingual speakers are especially encouraged to consider volunteering to help serve the growing Spanish-speaking population of the area. Volunteers are needed to assist with registration, hand out school supplies, run programs and health activities, assist children writing letters, run a photo booth, and more. Volunteers may contact Stephanie Jones, ��Vlog��ýLR Children International volunteer and outreach coordinator, at 501.663.5541 or spjones@ualr.edu.

Graduating student finds inspiration through ��Vlog��ýLR

Taylor Aldana — Fri, 13 May 2016 18:19:26 +0000

One day, Talethe Collins hopes to return home to start a nonprofit organization in Marianna, Arkansas. Wanting to help young adults prepare for college, Collins plans to create an organization to create more job opportunities for her community. “My hometown is small, but there is a lot that can be done to make it better,” she said. Collins found inspiration through her work at ��Vlog��ýLR Children International. The goal of Children International is to empower children and families in their efforts to break through the barriers of poverty. Each year, this site sponsors over 3,200 children with the help of more than 10,000 individual sponsors from around the world. Collins graduated May 14 with a Bachelor of Arts in political science with a minor in nonprofit leadership studies. She started as a volunteer at Children International her freshman year, helping children with homework at Bale Elementary. She soon became attached to the organization’s mission and returned the following year to intern and receive hands-on experience in the nonprofit sector. She continued her services with the organization throughout college. “I enjoyed it so much that it led me into minoring in nonprofit leadership studies at ��Vlog��ýLR,” said Collins. “So, I truly thank Chancellor’s Leadership Corps and ��Vlog��ýLR Children International for opening my eyes into the nonprofit field.” Collins has accepted a full-time position at the program after graduation. She will serve as the youth programs assistant working on pre-teen and teen youth programming services that fall in the areas of Youth Leadership, Youth Council, and Youth Health Corps. She hopes to bring positive energy services, she said. “When you love what you do, it’s not considered work,” said Collins. More than just a degree Collins chose a Bachelor of Arts in political science with a minor in nonprofit leadership studies because she has always wanted a deeper understanding of how the government works in our society, she said. “I feel that with this field of study, I will be able to accomplish my career goals and personal goals,” said Collins. In addition to wanting to start a nonprofit, Collins is interested in running for mayor of her hometown after getting certified as a paralegal. Collins credits her mother, Pearlethe Collins, for inspiring her to achieve all her goals. Raising seven children on her own, Pearlethe went back to college after Collins graduated from high school. Pearlethe graduated from Phillips Community College of the University of Arkansas with an associate’s degree in applied science in May 2015. “Truth be told, everything that I do is for my mother,” said Collins. “It brought tears of joy to my eyes to see her not give up on her goals, and it made me even more inspired to go after mine.” In addition to volunteering, Collins is a member of the Chancellor’s Leadership Corps, African American Female Initiative, Epsilon Phi Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, and served as vice president in the Nonprofit Leadership Student Association. After graduating, Collins will continue her education at ��Vlog��ýLR in the fall as a graduate student in the master of public administration program.

Donations bring brighter smiles to Little Rock children

Ajani Oyindamola — Thu, 21 Apr 2016 18:38:06 +0000

Parents in the Little Rock School District can smile brighter knowing their children’s dental health is secure. The, coordinated by the University of Arkansas at Little Rock Children International, has received grants totaling more than $95,000 to support the future of the clinic. The awarded a grant for $30,589 for 2016 and an additional $30,000 for both 2017 and 2018 to cover the operational costs of the clinic. The funds will be used to buy supplies and equipment used in the clinic’s preventative and restorative dental services. “We commend your organization for your efforts to improve oral health, and we are pleased to lend our support and be a partner in this project,” said Weldon Johnson, executive director of Delta Dental of Arkansas Foundation. Future Smiles also received a $5,000 grant from. Future Smiles became an affiliate agency with the foundation in 2015. The dental clinic used the America’s ToothFairy grant to pay for the salary of a contract dentist for its annual sealant project. Children in partner schools travel to the clinic to receive sealants, a plastic protective coating that is placed on permanent molars to prevent cavities. The outreach is held every February during National Children’s Dental Health Month. Thanks in large part to the grant, 186 Little Rock school children received 686 sealants to protect their teeth during the 2016 sealant project. The Future Smiles Dental Clinic provides comprehensive dental care to children from low- to moderate-income households. The clinic is staffed by dental professionals from Arkansas Children’s Hospital, as well as dental hygiene students from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. Since opening in 2005, the clinic has conducted more than 31,000 dental screenings and provided nearly $2 million of free dental care for children in the Little Rock School District. “I would like to thank Delta Dental for their longtime support of the clinic,” said Jolene Perkins, manager of the Future Smiles Dental Clinic. “We are also very pleased to have a new partnership with the National Children’s Oral Health Foundation as an America’s ToothFairy affiliate agency.” Visit ��Vlog��ýLR Children International to learn more about their programs.

Public invited to Children International Empty Bowls fundraiser

��Vlog��ý Little Rock — Fri, 15 Apr 2016 17:38:44 +0000

Members of the public are invited to a free event to help fight hunger in Arkansas. The two-day Empty Bowls fundraiser will include martial arts and robotics demonstrations, choir performances, and a silent auction of beautiful handmade bowls created by students of the ��Vlog��ýLR Children International Kids’ Club. Delicious soup and bread will be served, and all proceeds from the auction will go to the . This event kicks off at 4 pm. Wednesday, April 20, and continues until 6 p.m. at Wakefield Elementary. The second day of the event runs from 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday, April 21, at Wilson Elementary. For more information, contact Paula Rogers, education manager of ��Vlog��ýLR Children International, at 501.663.5541 or parogers@ualr.edu.

A member of the ��Vlog��ýLR Children International Kids’ Club creates a bowl for a past year’s Empty Bowls fundraiser. Contributed photo

Davis named new director of ��Vlog��ýLR Children International

Gloria King — Fri, 05 Jun 2015 19:47:17 +0000

��Vlog��ýLR announces that Ryan Davis has been named the new director of ��Vlog��ýLR Children International. Davis begins his job on June 16, bringing with him extensive professional and personal experience in the nonprofit sector, as well as academic and community-based organizations. He currently serves as pastor of Mt. Pleasant Christian Methodist Episcopal (C.M.E.) Church in Hope where he helped restructure the church’s debt and created and revitalized ministries for youth and homebound elderly members.

Davis will be leaving as the chief academic officer for Positive Atmosphere Reaches Kids (PARK) in Little Rock, helping to develop the “Skill Builder” and the Academic Success Intervention programs there.

The programs give personalized assistance to students who are either failing school or in danger of failing. At PARK, Davis also manages and guides a staff of tutors and group leaders in addition to managing all budgets, acquisitions, and grants connected to the academic program. Outside of his professional experience, Davis is a founding co-coordinator of the Supplementary National Black Male Development Symposium, helping to create literature, secure donations, and recruit experts for the public health portion of the symposium. He is also an alumni board member of the Lake Forest College Interfaith Center, chaplain of the Arkansas Region of the 1st Episcopal District of the C.M.E. Church Youth and Young Adult Ministry, and advisory board vice chair of the Central Little Rock Promise Neighborhood. He received a B.A. degree in liberal arts from Lake Forest College in Lake Forest, Ill. “Mr. Davis offers a wealth of experience in working with youth in Arkansas, a passion for addressing the needs of underserved youth and their families, and an understanding of the hard work and dedication it takes to bring about change,” said Dr. Lillian C. Wichinsky, interim executive director of the ��Vlog��ýLR Community Connection Center.

- University News Archive - ����Vlog��ý Little Rock

����Vlog��ý Little Rock Children International seeking donations, volunteers to purchase back to school supplies

Student entrepreneurs raise money for ����Vlog��ý Little Rock Children International Scholarship Fund

����Vlog��ý Little Rock Children International receives $400k for renovations

����Vlog��ýLR scholarship program addresses shortage of science and math teachers in Arkansas

����Vlog��ýLR Children International delivers school supplies to 900 children

Volunteers needed for ����Vlog��ýLR Children International Back to School Jamboree

Graduating student finds inspiration through ����Vlog��ýLR