Changing the Learning Experience for Youth

What sort of experience do we want youth to have in our afterschool and other out-or-school time programs?  The Learning in Afterschool and Summer Principles capture this clearly—learning that is active, collaborative, meaningful, develops skills and broadens horizons.  Experiences for youth that embody these principles are key to closing the opportunity gap and creating citizens of the world.

The challenge is this—to be able to ensure that those experiences are provided, out-of-school time staff must be well prepared to be positive role models and mentors and understand the dynamics of working with youth.  Staff must be professional, focused on safety, understand how to manage the many different environments of out-of-school time while supporting positive behavior choices and implementing a fair and consistent discipline system.  These leaders must also understand holistic instruction how to manage transitions and debriefing the learning, and internalize the difference between direct and tell and questioning to connection. 

Entrusted Legacy is partnering with Consult 4 Kids to provide access to web-based training that is written, audio, video, and complete with a tracking system.  Help us to reach all of the out-of-school time professionals by investing in the future.  Go to our website at www.entrustedlegacy.org and join with others to make a difference and leave a legacy.

Leaving a Legacy—Why Is That Important?

When you are young one of the last things you are thinking about is leaving a legacy.  Your focus is on the here and now—the living you are trying to make and the lifestyle you are eager to create.  What if there was a way to also create a legacy that you probably wouldn’t even notice?  There is!  Did you know that if you began investing a dollar a day when you are 21, you will have every opportunity to give over $20,000 to support a cause and something you believe in during your lifetime?  And when your investment combines with the investments of others, the power of working together makes a difference.

Entrusted Legacy gives you a way to make a difference in the lives of youth by seeing to it that the adults who work with them are well prepared to be a positive role model and mentor.  Every investment of $60 has the potential of reaching over 300 youth, and that is a conservative estimate of the ripples that are set in motion.  Begin building your legacy today.  Invest on our website at www.entrustedlegacy.org 

Win an iPad by Getting Involved with ETL's Winter Raffle

Each day, millions of children attend after-school programs. These are places that they can attend for help with homework, engage in enrichment activities, connect with friends and have a safe place to be until their parents get off of work.  After-school programs become a home away from home for many young people and their families. 

After-school programs are funded by state and federal programs, and there is only so much money to go around.  Entrusted Legacy, along with Consult4Kids, has made it our goal to ensure that the adults that so generously give their time work and volunteer in after-school have the training, materials and support necessary to be the best educators and role models they can be. 

We need your help!  Every year we hold the Competent Adults, Capable Kids Fundraiser!  This annual fundraiser is a win-win for everyone involved - A chance to win fabulous prizes and a help a worthy cause.  All raffle proceeds directly fund training and support for California after-school programs.  This year we are holding a fundraising event to accompany the raffle! Visit us on December 14 for food, fun and fundraising.

Here’s how you can get involved:

• Purchase raffle tickets!  Enter for your chance to win prizes like… a trip to Cancun or a gift pack of signed children’s books, and more!
• Sell raffle tickets!  The top seller wins an iPad!
• Volunteer at the event!
• Share the Competent Adults, Capable Kids Fundraiser with your friends, family and co-workers!  For every person you refer to sell raffle tickets, you will receive $5 worth of tickets FREE!
• Invite your social media followers to Like and Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!

 If you’d like even more information, please call us at 661.374.0717! 

Ticket Sales will begin on November 1st, 2013.

Sign Up Now:

The Importance of “A Little From A Lot”

There is an old adage that states, “Many hands make hard work light.”  This thought is absolutely correct.  It is very difficult to do things alone, to ensure that change occurs, to make sure that every t” is crossed and every “i” is dotted.  But when we work together, the load is easier to carry and the impact we make together is stronger and more intentional than when we work alone.

Entrusted Legacy combines your investments with the gifts of others to make a strategic difference in the lives of role models and mentors for youth.  When each person does just a little -- the cost of one cup of coffee each month, collecting change in a cup, or agreeing to an investment of one dollar a day, the results are exponential!  The best part about these small investments is that it doesn’t alter your lifestyle while it is building your legacy.

One of the beneficiaries of Entrusted Legacy support says, “The training I received was invaluable and I am often reminded of how lucky I was to have been able to be a part of it. I will continue to apply the valuable teachings to every aspect of my life."

Join with us to make a difference.  Trust your legacy with us.  Go to the Entrusted Legacy website at www.entrustedlegacy.org today and invest in the future!

Being a Role Model for a Group of Youth

A positive role model is someone who others look up to and admire.  A role model is someone that others want to emulate.  Simply through “being”, a role model is inspirational and motivational.  Others can see the possibilities of themselves in the role model.  A role model demonstrates self-confidence but is not overbearing and arrogant.  A role model is humble and grateful for the opportunities he/she has had. 

It is challenging enough to be a positive role model one on one, but for afterschool professionals, being a role model to a group of young people—maybe 15-20 of them, is not unheard of.  So what are some things that a positive role model can consider when working with a group of youth? 

Remember that there are always eyes and ears paying attention.  How you respond to youth when they are the least deserving will speak volumes to those who are watching.

Learn to take a few minutes each day to connect personally with each youth.  Whether this is during check in when you are initially greeting students for the day or as you make your rounds during homework, look each youth in the eye and ask a question that is relevant to that youth. 

Celebrate the successes of your youth.  Chart your praises so you can be sure to include everyone during the course of several weeks.

Walk your talk.  Nothing is as important that what you do rings true and authentic to the words you say.  Young people do research to see if adults say what they mean and mean what they say.  As a positive role model, you need to “pass this test”.  If you make a mistake, own it and apologize-- youth understand that no one is perfect!

Finally, share with youth the thinking you do when making decisions.  This will help them to understand that good choices aren’t necessarily easy for anyone plus they will begin to understand how to think critically.

Entrusted Legacy’s work is to provide the staff development that role models who work with groups of youth need to be successful.  Help us to help those who are changing the future.  Invest now!  Check out our website at www.entrustedlegacy.org and contribute to our work.