The gift of summer smiles

Neighborhood Centers aquarium field trip!

Remember your childhood summers? Loading up the car for a family vacation, packing for church camp, spending hours at the pool, riding your bike to your friend’s house... Unfortunately, many of the children we serve at CCFI do not have memories of such carefree summers. Each child we serve deserves a chance to enjoy the summer and it is you — our generous supporters — who help make that possible through your gifts.

Your contributions allowed CCFI’s Neighborhood Centers to provide an enriching six-week camp for more than 100 kids this summer. There were lots of field trips in June and July, from the Oklahoma Aquarium to the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art and Jasmine Moran Children’s Museum. Kids cooled off each week at Westwood swimming pool and visited area water parks. The older youth had the chance to give back by volunteering at the Humane Society and the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma while our middle school kids learned new skills such as cooking with the Food for Thought Learning Institute.

Thank you for helping to make the summer what it should be for our kids — fun and enriching!

Summer Smiles Photo Album »

Check out pictures, adventure and smiles from our 2012 Nighborhood Centers summer enrichment services!

Bringing “April” to June and July

Kristi McClatchy during Neighborhood Centers field trip

I am the daughter of a preacher and a coach. It’s little wonder that my childhood summers were devoted to sports camps and vacation Bible school.  I recall one vacation Bible school I attended in Orlando, Florida when I was 9-years-old; it was the ultimate Bible school experience. The camp was located in a five star hotel with pool-side devotionals, catered meals, and a full day at Disney World. These were events that we believe children dream of having. Interestingly enough, I have almost no recollection of such “impressionable” events.  I have a vague memory of seeing Cinderella’s castle, but that’s about it. What I remember most about this Bible school was the time I spent with my counselor.  Her name was April, and she had three major interests: staring at the male chaperones, talking about how “dreamy” the male chaperones were and hanging out with me.

April made me feel like I was the coolest kid on the face of the planet. She had a genuine interest in who I was. I vividly remember her introducing herself to me the first day of camp. She shook my hand, looked me in the eye, and told me that she was so excited that I had decided to come to the camp. Throughout the week she took extra time to make sure I felt comfortable and included – I was incredibly shy. Looking back, I realize that she coached me through several social interactions with my peers. Without her help, I honestly doubt I would have made as many friends as I did.

Neighborhood Centers 2011 Summer Youth Enrichment Program

On the last day of Bible school, April gave me a letter telling me that I could do anything, that I was special, and that I was of great value. It is a letter I still have to this day. She was one of the first grownups in my life other than my parents or my teachers who took the time to get to know me.  She made an everlasting impression on the person I am today.

Now I am working at the Center for Children and Families, Inc.(CCFI) Neighborhood Centers’ program. As we begin our Summer Youth Enrichment Program this week, I find myself often thinking, “We have to take the children to the Natural History Museum because Sam loves dinosaurs,” or “I need to schedule a rock climbing trip because Trey asked to go again this Summer.” Sometimes I feel myself primarily focusing on providing the children I serve with the most fantastic field trips, the most delicious and nutritious food, and the most educational opportunities.

Indeed, most of the children I serve have had limited experiences such as these.  We all want nothing but the absolute best for the children in Neighborhood Centers. They are so precious.  They deserve to have the same wonderful opportunities I, and most others, had growing up. However, while I recognize these types of experiences are central to enriching the lives of children, I hope that I never lose sight of how significant building a positive relationship really is.

I only hope that I will be some child’s April during the course of our Summer Youth Enrichment Program.

- Kristi McClatchy, Neighborhood Centers AmeriCorps Member

A Child's Wisdom!

First grade students were given the following proverbs and filled in their own wisdom and thoughts, enjoy!

As You Shall Make Your Bed So Shall You........ Mess It Up.
Better Be Safe Than........ Punch A 5th Grader.
Strike While The........ Bug Is Close.
It's Always Darkest Before........ Daylight Savings Time.
Never Under Estimate The Power Of........ Termites.
You Can Lead A Horse To Water But....... How?
Don't Bite The Hand That........Looks Dirty.
No News Is........Impossible.A Miss Is As Good As A........ Mr.
You Can't Teach An Old Dog New........ Math.
If You Lie Down With The Dogs, You'll........Stink In The Morning.
Love All, Trust........Me
The Pen Is Mightier Than The........Pigs.
An Idle Mind Is........ The Best Way To Relax.
Where There's Smoke, There's........ Pollution.
Happy The Bride Who........ Gets All The Presents!
A Penny Saved Is........ Not Much.
Two's Company, Three's........The Musketeers.
Don't Put Off Tomorrow What........You Put On To Go To Bed.
None Are So Blind As........ Helen Keller.
Children Should Be Seen And Not........ Spanked Or Grounded.
If At First You Don't Succeed........ Get New Batteries.
You Get Out Of Something What You........ See Pictured On The Box. 
When The Blind Leadeth The Blind........Get Out Of The Way.

More than 2,000 expected to attend Block Party Saturday

Official CCFI News Release
The Center for Children and Families, Inc. (CCFI) is gearing up for its 12th annual “I Love My Neighborhood Block Party” this Saturday near Wilson Elementary School.

2011 Block Party

Jessica Hutchinson, senior program specialist for CCFI’s Neighborhood Centers after school and summer youth program, said the party will be noon to 2 p.m. Saturday in the parking lot of Trinity Baptist Church, 801 N. Peters Ave. Families can expect live music, games, free food, and crafts. 

We’ve received so much support for this event from the community and it has really grown over the last few years, Hutchinson said.

Hutchinson said nearly 2,000 people attended last year’s party and they expect the number to exceed that this Saturday.

2011 Block Party

“We’re just trying to reach out to the community and neighborhood to get everyone together,” she said. “It gives families an opportunity to spend some quality time together without having to worry about finances.”

Families who attend can visit booths hosted by local businesses and also can learn more about CCFI’s Neighborhood Centers program.

Hutchinson said the Neighborhood Centers after school and summer services are available at Kennedy and Wilson elementary schools and Irving and Longfellow middle schools and operate after school until 8:00 pm through out the week.

“We operate every day that they have school and over the summer months,” she said. “Our program is completely free and we offer every child a unique experience through a number of enriching activities from service learning projects and homework help to weekly gender-specific mentoring groups for the older, middle school age groups.”

For information about CCFI’s Neighborhood Centers youth program visit www.ccfinorman.org. To get involved with this years block party visit www.ccfinorman.org/blockparty.

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The Center for Children and Families, Inc. (CCFI) is private, non-profit located in Norman, OK specializing in healing children, empowering youth, and strengthening families.

Seuss inspired ways to connect with children through reading

It's the National Education Association's Read Across America Day. How can you get kids to love reading? Dr. Seuss, whose birthday is today, may have some answers.

Sylvan Learning is offering some "Seuss-inspired" suggestions on how to make reading fun and how to inspire children to develop a lifelong friendship with books while connecting with caring adults.

Oh say can you say? Read aloud with children. Reading aloud is right up there with eating chocolate in terms of pleasures. In fact, we could argue it's even better than chocolate: It's never too early for it, and there's no such thing as "too much." Reading to young children nurtures an interest in language, words, and communication. And strengthens parent-child relationships. For older kids, reading together can be fun and interesting. As reading aloud becomes a routine, it will not only help develop your children's reading skills, but will also create a basis for ongoing discussion.

I can lick 30 tigers today! Wrangling children's schedules can feel like wrestling tigers. But making the time to read every day—even for just 10 to 15 minutes—is worth taming a tiger or two. It establishes reading as a regular, daily habit.

One book, two books, red books, blue books. From baseball cards to comic books, children have always been natural collectors. Encourage your children to create their own treasure trove of books. By encouraging the creation of a personal library, you invite your children to create a magical kingdom that's right at their fingertips. Turn book collecting into a treasure hunt: Look for books at yard sales, in the book section at bargain stores, at the grocery store, and wherever else you can find them. Here at the Center for Children and Families, Inc. (CCFI), we offer a book barn that is stocked with free books for the children and families that come into our doors each day.

This just in: Horton heard a who. But then what happened? Children need to understand that there is more to a news event than the 30-second sound bite they hear on the television. Weekly and monthly general interest magazines can fill this gap. Kids like to be "plugged in," and these publications give them in-depth details to satisfy their curiosity. Plus, the vivid photographs appeal to children of all ages. Read an article together, and help your children with difficult words or abstract concepts.

Why did the Cat in the Hat cross the road? To get to the riddle book on the other side! Children enjoy riddles and jokes that rely on wordplay. Laughing together at clever jokes and riddles can make a Saturday trip to soccer or hockey practice more enjoyable and memorable. Next time you're at the library or bookstore, bring home some giggles to read together.

Oh, the thinks you can think! As anyone who has read a Dr. Seuss book knows, words can be fun. Turn vocabulary from a grind to a giggle by creating word games. Compile a word list, or ask your children's teacher for a word list, and make daily or weekly vocabulary games.

And to think that you saw that word on Mulberry Street. As you zip about town, learn new words on the road. Every trip, regardless of the distance, presents creative opportunities to introduce new words to your children. From bulletin boards to street signs, words are hanging out on every street corner, just waiting for you to drop by.

My Book...By Me Myself. Encourage your children to write original stories and illustrate them with their own drawings. It's a great way to increase comfort and familiarity with words.

Oh, the places you'll go! The Internet is a goldmine of great websites that provide reading lists for children. Visit Book Adventure, a free Sylvan-created interactive, reading, motivational program that can be found online at www.BookAdventure.com . Another great resource is a local library, Pioneer Library System here in Oklahoma offersgreat programs and resources to get kiddos reading.

Encouraging children to read helps transform reading from a chore to a treat. Then, this basic skill becomes a learned behavior and an intellectual habit. Among reading's benefits, many research studies have found that children who are read to or who read on their own at home do better in school.

10 Compliments Kids Need to Hear

Children look to adults for encouragement and compliments go a long way in giving kids the boost they need, especially during adolescent years.

1. Compliment their character.
We live in a world where integrity is neither consistently taught nor widely expected. When children and youth demonstrate honesty, kindness, trustworthiness and reliability, that’s a great time to take them aside and offer a sincere compliment.

2. Compliment obedience and respect.
It’s too easy to fall into patterns of disapproval, where the only time we notice is when kids do wrong. Rather than waiting for disobedience or disrespect (then coming down like a ton of bricks) try noticing obedience and respect: “You are an awesome young man, and I appreciate the way you are behaving”.


3. Compliment them for simply being part of the family and/or group.
“Every time I see you, I’m thankful that I’m your Mom.” Kids need to understand that they are valued simply because they are.


4. Compliment contributions
“Clearing the table (sweeping the porch… putting out the trash) makes a real difference. I appreciate your contribution.” Kids need to understand that what they do makes a difference, that the adults notice, and that pitching in is a good part of togetherness.


5. Compliment the quality of their work.
“Way to go!  I’m so glad you take this job so seriously, it shows.” Doing a job at a high standard is always worth noting.


6. Compliment the effort, even when the result is not the best.
“Your willingness to help makes me happy! Now we need to take a look at how you can get the trash to the curb without leaving a trail.” Compliments can be an important part of our role as role models and mentors.


7. Compliment when they achieve something new.
“Wow! That’s a huge leap forward for you there in math, pal.” “Awesome! I’m not at all surprised after you worked so hard.” A well-placed compliment can keep a positive ball rolling.


8. Compliment their sense of style even if we don’t exactly share their taste.
Encourage individuality. “When it comes to putting together an outfit, you certainly have some flair!” “I’ve never seen a table set quite like that before – you have an amazing imagination!” It’s not useful to limit compliments to the narrow range of our own taste.


9. Compliment steps toward a long-term goal.
“The improvement you’re showing is commendable. Thanks for trying.” Waiting for perfection before we’re willing to dish out a compliment is inefficient, may dampen enthusiasm, and does little to help the process of growth.

10. Compliment their friends.
But only do this when you can do it honestly! “Your friends are the greatest!” “That Jake is such a good kid.”

Laura & Kayleigh: Girl Power Members

Photographers Kayleigh and Laura Talk about their experience with the Girl Power PhotoVoice Project

With the Girl Power PhotoVoice exhibit fast approaching, the girls involved are growing more excited to share with the community their Visions of Health. As we sat down with Girl Power members Kayleigh (9th grade) and Laura (8th grade) to talk about their experience with the project, it was then that we quickly realized that these young ladies have been completely empowered by their involvement with PhotoVoice.

“I think PhotoVoice really taught these girls a new way to tell their story,” said Jessica Hutchinson, Neighborhood Centers Program Director. “Instead of using social media or texting they learned how to use photography.

“Each week we met and shared our pictures with the other 10 girls,” said Laura. “We would talk about pictures together but we were allowed to be ourselves because each picture meant something different to everyone.”

Not only did the project give the girls a social outlet with positive adult influences but it also allowed them to learn more about themselves and gave them a voice.

“I hope to someday work in public service for a career and do what Jessica does,” said Kayleigh. “I mean, you see things like world hunger and it doesn’t seem like anyone is doing anything- I want to do something.”

And she will be this Friday, not only will Kayleigh and Laura talk at the event but they will be honored with ten of their peers by Mayor Cindy Rosenthal during the exhibit.

We hope you will join us this Friday, August 26th from 5-7p.m. at the University of Oklahoma Zarrow Hall.

More information about PhotoVoice»

The University of Oklahoma

Zarrow Hall Community Room

700 Elm Ave. |  Norman, OK

A second exhibit will be on September 9th, 6-10 p.m.:

Studio 360

109 N. Crawford  |  Norman, OK

In conjunction with the Norman Art Council's 2nd Friday Art Circuit.

For more information about PhotoVoice Project or Exhibit please contact Stacy Hawthorne at shawthorne@ccfinorman.org or call (405) 364-1420.

Photovoice support and contributions received from:
University of Oklahoma School of Medicine-Tulsa, Knee Center for Strong Families, Krystyn Bramlett, Gigi’s Cupcakes, Irving Middle School, Norman Arts Council, Oklahoma Electric Cooperative, Paul Mitchell Hair Salon, Chris Porter, and Sonic Drive In.

PhotoVoice: Visions of Health

What happens when you take eleven of Norman's middle school girls, teach them photography, ask them about 'health,' and then give them free rein to shoot?

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- You're Invited! -

Girl Power PhotoVoice Project

On May 6, 2011, nearly a dozen middle school girls served by the Center’s Neighborhood Centers program shuffled into the cafeteria at Irving Middle School to begin the Girl Power PhotoVoice Project. A project in collaboration with the University of Oklahoma's Anne and Henry Zarrow School of Social Work and the Center for Children and Families, gave the girls cameras and a mission to document their lives and their community’s health over the next six weeks.

PhotoVoice allows young people to express themselves with originality and enthusiasm. The girls walked through their lives, homes and streets behind the lens of a camera and each week they came together, viewed their photographs and voiced what their photographs exposed about their health and their community.

The project provided hands-on opportunities for the girls to practice life skills such as action research, photography, writing, marketing, and activism. It gives young people, whose voices are often ignored, a hands-on experience with making a difference in their community.

With the Girl Power PhotoVoice project, the girls hope to provide their communities with a valuable perspective on its problems and resources, both healthy and unhealthy. Their photographs and narratives may open the eyes of adults to problems and resources they see every day but tend to ignore.

More information about PhotoVoice»

The University of Oklahoma
Zarrow Hall Community Room

700 Elm Ave. |  Norman, OK
August 26, 2011, 5-8 p.m.*

*Forum/Ethics Panel 7-8 p.m.Continuing Education Units available.

Click here for more information on the CEU’s and a schedule of events for the evening.


Studio 360
109 N. Crawford |  Norman, OK
September, 9 2011, 6-10 p.m. 
In Conjunction with the Norman Arts Council's 2nd Friday Art Circuit.

Admission is free, donations accepted. Refreshments will be provided.

For more information about PhotoVoice Project or Exhibit please contact Stacy Hawthorne at shawthorne@ccfinorman.org or call (405) 364-1420.

Calling ALL Caring Adults

We need YOUR help!
Our Neighborhood Centers Summer Youth Enrichment Program is underway and ready start to this Monday! We have the kids enrolled, the activities planned, the staff rested, the vans gassed and ready to take the kiddos on lots of adventures but we seem to be missing something ... Volunteers!   

If you or someone you know can dedicate one morning or afternoon per week for at least 4 weeks this summer, we would be set for another successful summer youth program!

So, tell your friends, babysitter, neighbors, paper boy, coaches, or even your co-workers that we are looking for several community members to step forward and make a difference in the coming weeks for the 100 plus children and youth in our program! We are especially seeking help on Fridays from 12:30-4:00 for pool outings, which is a win-win situation- sun, fun and slides! Plus, it's a great resume builder for recent high school graduates and college students! 

  

To answer the call, please contact:
Christi at cmackey@ccfinorman.org  or call (405) 364-1420,

Background checks are required for all volunteers, who must be 18 years or older!

Visit www.ccfinorman.org/get-involved for more information!

Girl Power group offers middle schoolers guidance and friendship

For many girls, middle school becomes a pressure cooker filled with power struggles, conflicting impulses, physical growth and strong emotions. Girls at this age mostly talk.  Cliques get clique-ier, the need to be in power intensifies, girls can get meaner- and much of this behavior stems from the intense desire to belong. At the same time, middle-school girls develop deep and close friendships, separating from their families and forming their own rewarding social universes.

Out of our Neighborhood Centers after school and evening program, 55 girls meet each month to help each other navigate through these waves of middle school via a special group called: Girl Power!

CCFI Neighborhood Centers Girl Power Group

Developed out of on-going requests from the girls in the Neighborhood Centers program wanting to spend more time with female staff and volunteers, the Girl Power group elects to spend one Friday night per month addressing topics such as fitting in, schoolwork stress, bullying, concerns about being judged, boys, cliques, relationships with family members, and more through all sorts of activities and conversations.

For instance, this past Friday the Girl Power group discussed the Dove Campaign for Real Beauty and the first step in building self-esteem was taken- talking about it. Once the conversation was started the girls began to relate with one another and saw that they weren't alone in battling the issues that they face. Each month interactions like these lead to more friendships based on personality and shared interest rather than looks- which causes many girls enormous amounts of pain. Having a strong support system, one where all feelings are valid and listened to can make a world of difference in helping girls 'hold it together' when braving some of those "middle-school storms."

Through interactions like these, each young woman is given the opportunity to hang out, belong and connect with girls they might not be friends with in other settings. For most girls, friends form the center of their lives. Friends light up girls' days in preschool, become inseparable in elementary school, and help girls in middle school develop their own, separate lives- it's through Girl Power, that we try to help them enjoy the ups and survive the downs of their ever evolving social lives with confidence.


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Jack's Celebration

Jack and his friend, Kira, Celebrating their CAKE par

For most 8-year-olds, tearing open countless presents from family and friends usually only happens during the holidays and on birthdays. But that was not the case for one boy, who requested that his guests bring gifts for others during his CAKE (Celebrating Adopted Kids, Everyday!) celebration during November.

As a young philanthropist, Jack Flax is inspired by his parents, Troy and Jenny, to give back to the community and saw their CAKE celebration as a way to inspire others.

“We really wanted Jack to do something special not only for himself, but for others as well,” said Jack’s mother, Jenny. “We invited all our friends with adopted children to the CAKE party and made it a benefit party for CCFI. I think helping a local agency made it even more special for us, the guests and especially for Jack.”

Jack's cake, it says: "Happy Adoption Day Jack"

Jack and his friends and family raised over 250 diapers at their party last month, all of which went to the CCFI public diaper and formula closet.  The Flax family believes that philanthropy starts young and that learning to help others at an early age truly makes a difference. Here at CCFI we couldn’t agree more. Teaching young children to perform great acts of kindness, such as this, is an important life skill. Children, like Jack, are our future generation of volunteers and supporters and we are beginning to see younger philanthropists each year.

Jack’s mother, who’s been active in several of her own philanthropic adventures, couldn’t be more pleased. “Whatever your situation in life, there’s almost always someone who has it a little tougher than you do,” Jenny said. “I think that getting kids to understand about donating and giving back when they are young really makes a difference.”

Jack agreed and said, “It’s a really fun way to help and have fun with my friends!”