Lighthouse Kids Learning 12 Months out of the Year

Volunteers of America Greater New Orleans' Lighthouse program helps more than 400 at-risk youth through a partnership with the University of New Orleans Charter School Network. The Lighthouse offers character-building, help with academics and enrichment at these UNO Charter Network schools: Pierre A. Capdau Charter School, Gentilly Terrace Elementary, Medard H. Nelson Charter School, and Thurgood Marshall Early College High School.

Our goals are to boost academic achievement, character building and social interaction with caring adults. The vision of the Lighthouse is clear - children will achieve when goals are set with high expectations, and the adults who care for them are committed to their academic and social development.

Lighthouse leaders expose the kids to a multitude of cultural enrichment and academic activities. We don't stop there. Our ambition is to serve the needs of the entire family through academic enrichment, cultural, social, health, and nutritional services - making learning essential to their lives.

The Lighthouse believes that if we teach our children the skills they need to make positive choices and acquire good academic skills, they will grow into responsible, self-supporting adults.

Since the story destroyed its Ninth Ward headquarters, the Lighthouse, one of Volunteers of America's most popular and effective programs, has been rebuilding through partnerships with local charter schools. Here are the qualities the program instills in students:

- Trustworthiness

- Honesty

- Citizenship

- Caring
- Responsibility

- Respect

- Discipline

Lighthouse Kids' After-School, Summer Program Outcomes

- 90% showed an improvement in their grades

- 100% matriculated to the next level

- 70% improved on the LEAP test's language arts and math components

- 100% had no interaction with the juvenile justice or school disciplinary systems.

Click here to read a Lighthouse success story.

For more info on the program, or to to get involved, visit our website at:

http://www.voagno.org.