from the office of Dr. Paul G. Young, Executive Director

Visit our website at: http://www.westafterschoolcenter.org/
This weekly update is distributed via email to the WASC Board of Directors & Staff, Volunteers, School Staffs, Parents, State and National Afterschool Advocates, Providers, and Community Leaders

WASC Valentine Family Dinner Please join us for a spaghetti dinner, family crafts and activities.       Tuesday, February 12, 2008 5:30 – 7:00 p.m.      All family members welcome!                        Registration Required by Feb. 4th (So we can plan!)
Support Issue 12 Vote to Protect Children and Elderly from abuse and neglect The number of reports of abuse and neglect has doubled in Fairfield County since 2000. 1 in 8 children in Fairfield County are impacted by abuse and neglect. A successful passage of this issue will increase the number of investigations and promote early intervention.
The BENEFIT BANK A Service Available for Parents					Need help with food? Need help with child care costs? Need help with insurance for your kids? The Benefit Bank may be able to help! What is the Benefit Bank? It is an internet tool for JFS benefit screening. Would you like to find out if you may qualify for one or all of these benefits? Call today for an appointment! There is no cost for this service. It is available at the West After School Center. Call Jane Hart, WASC Student and Family Coordinator at 653-5678.
Columbus, Ohio – Ohio Governor Ted Strickland announced today that the Governor’s Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives has launched a statewide effort to provide free federal and Ohio income tax return assistance to Ohioans with household incomes below $54,000 per year.    The assistance is offered through The Ohio Benefit Bank – a free service that provides help for low and moderate-income Ohioans to claim tax credits and other work support benefits.   “Completing a tax return can often be a complex and time-consuming process. That’s why I encourage Ohioans who need assistance to take advantage of the Benefit Bank’s tax preparation services,” Strickland said. “Benefit Bank counselors stand ready to help families with their taxes as well as determine their potential eligibility for additional benefits.”
Pass It On Share What You Know...Mentor a Child To be a mentor, you don't need any special skills—just an ability to listen and to offer friendship, guidance, and encouragement to a young person growing up today. And you'll be amazed by how much you'll get out of the experience. So, share what you know. Become a mentor.				JANUARY IS
National Mentoring Month (NMM) highlights mentoring and the positive impact it can have on young lives. Spearheaded by the Harvard Mentoring Project, MENTOR, and the Corporation for National and Community Service, the first ever NMM was held January 2002. This month-long outreach campaign focuses national attention on the need for mentors, as well as how each of us—individuals, businesses, government agencies, schools, faith communities and nonprofits—can work together to increase the number of mentors and assure brighter futures for our young people. "Thank Your Mentor Day™" – January 24, 2008 will mark the fifth annual "Thank Your Mentor Day™," which many mentoring programs select as a day of volunteer recognition. An outreach of the Harvard Mentoring Project, the messages of this special day are: Too many young people do not have a caring adult mentor to provide encouragement and support; Mentoring programs can provide the link to this support; but Programs need volunteers to close the gap.
The WASC Youth Media Program		The WASC Youth Media Program is the result of a partnership with The Fuse Factory Electronic and Digital Arts Lab, a new and emerging initiative based in Columbus, OH. The WASC and The Fuse Factory have worked together to develop a curriculum in which WASC students are engaged in weekly hands-on workshops where they are introduced to topics such as keyboarding, word processing, digital image manipulation, digital storytelling, typography, and video. They are also given opportunities to think critically about forms of popular media such as advertising. The current program will run from January 2008 to June 2008. This program is made possible from grants from the Fairfield County Foundation and the Gannett Foundation.
Get to Know a WASC Volunteer	My association with the WASC is: volunteer tutor How Long?  7 years.  I was born in: Indiana My childhood ambition was to be: a mom and teacher My job has been: a substitute teacher If not working at my job, I'd rather be: playing tennis My favorite pastimes are: reading, tennis, and walking the dog If I were not living in Lancaster, I'd rather be in: Florida My favorite food is: chocolate My favorite style of music is: the oldies My favorite television show is: Monk My favorite movies is:  To Kill A Mockingbird My biggest challenge is: seeing my kids I am inspired by: saints To me, a perfect day is: sunny
Diane Llewellyn