Statements

Mission

Project for Neighborhood Aftercare is a school-based aftercare providing expanded learning opportunities to students in need.

Background

After extensive research throughout 1996, Tying Nashville Together identified the need for an aftercare program in Metro schools and developed the fundamentals for what would soon become Project for Neighborhood Aftercare. The fundamentals consist of: * An after-school program housed in Metro schools for children in grades K-8* Sites located in the neighborhoods of enrolled children * Academic support to include homework assistance, skill development, and hands-on enrichment as a cornerstone of the program. Since PNA's inception, the core concepts have evolved to include a one-hour before-school program in some locations as well as the implementation of affordable weekly program fees for enrollees. The actual scheduling of activities and the layout of the program differs at each site but all operate by the guidelines listed above. Programming has grown to include character development, mentoring, and parent engagement. At least two-thirds of the scheduled activity groups or classes are academically based. The PNA Board of Directors currently consists of five voting members. The board meets quarterly. PNA was fortunate to have a first-year evaluation performed by the Vanderbilt Institute of Public Policy. The report indicated that PNA was rated highly by parents, teachers, and children and addressed and served critical needs in each community. Significant changes in children's attitudes, classroom behaviors, social skills and homework performance were clearly indicated. Since 2012, PNA has been recognized as a 21st Century Community Learning Center by the state of Tennessee Department of Education and has received multi-year funding to support its educational programs.

Impact

ACCOMPLISHMENTS 1. A renewed multi-year grant from the Tennessee Department of Education 21st CCLC to serve students at Churchwell, Cockrill, and Stratton for 2017-2020. 2. A new multi-year grant from the Tennessee Department of Education 21st CCLC to serve students at the new Ida B. Wells Elementary School and KIPP-Kirkpatrick Elementary School 2018-2021. 3. Zero suspensions were achieved for our student participants from each site during the school year 2018. 4. Improved sustainability using a fee-based model as a revenue stream from the program at Sylvan Park Elementary. 5. Significantly reduced administrative costs by streamlining administrative staff - changing a staffing position from full-time to part-time. GOALS 1. Improve sustainability measures - continue to develop revenue models that assist the agency in securing at least one year's operating funds. 2. Expand programming to new locations with self-supporting revenue models 3. Increase Board membership by at least two new members through corporate and industry engagement.

Needs

1. Of utmost priority to PNA is developing the Board to include a more diverse representation of Middle Tennessee professionals. Historically, the Board has been strong in the area of organizational mission and programmatic vision. Our current vision is to focus on long-term sustainability, an important element of which is recruiting Board members with expertise in fundraising engagement, both private and public.
2. General operating support is needed to fund administrative infrastructure that supports programs.
3. Individual or corporate underwriters are needed to provide scholarships to kids whose families cannot afford to pay the weekly fee.
4. PNA's staff needs professional assistance in developing and implementing an annual fundraising event such as a golf tournament, Fun Walk, auction, etc to add to its fundraising strategic plan.

CEO Statement

Project for Neighborhood Aftercare's strength lies in our ability to create a unique programmatic approach at each of our centers. This flexibility enables us to utilize the specific skills, abilities, and interests of our staff in the development of activities and program structure for the children we serve. The end result of motivated workers given an opportunity to work with children on activities and life skills about which they are passionate is an effective program in which children's minds and attention are engaged. PNA is not a babysitting service. We truly seek to 'foster a sense of belonging and increased self-esteem.' Many fine programs focus solely on academic achievement. While that's an important pillar of PNA's approach, that is not our driving motivation. Take reading, for instance. Johnny needs to learn how to read. After a long day of school, Johnny likely has classroom and/or instructional fatigue. Rather than simply subjecting Johnny to tutoring and additional instruction, PNA's approach is to consider, 'How can we get Johnny to WANT to read?' Our staff evaluates how to motivate each child in our care. Upon offering Johnny a role in the PNA play under production, he is motivated to read the script in order to learn his lines. Ah-ha! Johnny now WANTS to read, and our staff has an opening through which we can truly help him in reading skills! As you can see, PNA's philosophy is rooted in a whole child approach. Many of the children we serve come from situations of poverty and neglect. A vitally important aspect of what we do is to simply love and value each child in our care. How does a community break the cycle of violence, crime, and despair? One child at a time...and it takes a village. PNA is a community pillar seeking to support these little ones who need to be noticed, listened to, validated, and cared for.

Board Chair Statement

Project for Neighborhood Aftercare (PNA) is proud to be continuing its tradition of providing quality before- and after-care in Metro schools as we diversify our funding base, engage our community and strive to positively impact our students and the lives they will lead now and in the future. PNA began as a Metropolitan Nashville Davidson County-funded, school-based after-care program. As we grew from our initial site, we engaged our parents, collaborated with school teachers, enriched our students, and reached out to the neighborhood communities surrounding our schools. We continue to grow and are poised to reach out to our community in new and different ways that will allow us to better serve our students in need. PNA has grown from its initial site serving 30 students to 7 sites serving more than 400 students during the 2018-2019 school year. During our growth, we added federal funding through the 21st Century Community Learning Grant and achieved the highest certification level available in that program. Our staff regularly collaborates with Nashville Youth Coalition, Nashville After-Zone Alliance, Frist Center for the Visual Arts, Adventure Science Center, Second Harvest Food Bank, Metro Nashville Public Schools and with other providers and coalitions to better serve our community. PNA's current opportunity is for even greater community outreach to better serve our students while PNA better serves our community. We'll reach out to businesses, which will be the recipients of our students into their workforce of the future. We'll reach out to faith communities, which recognize that their social justice tenets mean supporting the students in need among us. We'll reach out to individuals, who recognize that impacting a student's life will impact their legacy for the future. We'll reach out to government and foundation supporters, which strive to fulfill their missions. We look forward to our continuing work in the community and welcome the community's work with us as we all strive to enrich our society one child's life at a time.

Service Categories
Primary Category:	Human Services  - Children's and Youth Services
Secondary Category:	Education  - Student Services
Tertiary Category:	-

Areas Served

For the school year 2020-2021, PNA will operate centers in the following Davidson County schools. (Note that the population served is not limited to students of those schools but also includes neighborhood children.) Zipcodes of the schools are also listed below. Robert Churchwell Elementary (37208) Cockrill Elementary (37209) KIPP-Kirkpatrick Elementary (37206) Ida B. Wells (37207) Rose Park Middle (37203) Sylvan Park Elementary (37209) Stratton Elementary (37115)

TN - Davidson