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Family, School Services grant supports after-school programs for Meyzeek students

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Jan. 12, 2017) – The Arbonne Charitable Foundation has awarded a $5,000 Arbonne Angels in Action grant to Family & Children’s Place to support the agency’s Family & School Services (FSS) program, which serves at-risk students who attend Meyzeek Middle School.

The foundation is the charitable side of Arbonne International LLC, which creates skincare and wellness products and the grant is second awarded to support students’ success.

Specifically, the grant will be used to purchase and provide learning materials and supplies and help fund family nights that bring together students, staff, and families to better get to know one another and to more deeply involve parents in their children’s academic and social success. The grant also provides funds for educational field trips such as recent visits to the Louisville Slugger Museum and Factory and Kentucky Science Center.

Through FSS, Family & Children’s Place staff works with students to help develop positive values, social competencies, and positive identities, said Jo Cruz, FSS director. The programs, which follow school hours, the period when students are most likely to get into trouble, include activities such as homework help, life skills development, enrichment activities and service learning projects.

Students also learn to manage anger, avoid alcohol and drugs, improve peer relationships, reduce risk-taking behaviors and make positive choices. The collaborations increase chances for success, Cruz said, noting FSS partners include Jefferson County Public Schools, Metro United Way, Society for Prevention of Aggressiveness and Violence Among Adolescents (SPAVA), Peace Education, Junior Achievement, Blue Apple Players and the University of Louisville.

In the last year, 77 percent of students improved scores in reading, math, and science, more parents engaged in school and at home with their children.

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Family & Children’s Place works to protect Kentuckiana children, families and communities from abuse, neglect and exploitation and, through research-based, trauma-informed services, help them heal. The organization has supported families for more than 127 years and today serves approximately 5,000 children and families annually. For more information about Family and Children’s Place, visit www.famchildplace.org or call 502-893-3900.