Published Thursday, February 27, 2003
Herald Staff Writer
Students in Shenango Valley Urban League's Urban Village mentoring program in Farrell have been learning about black history all month.
Urban Village is a community-based mentoring program for youth ages 7 to 17. It aims to establish healthy relationships between caring adults and youth through one-on-one and group activities.
Cheryl King, vice president and youth education director, said the kids from two junior and senior divisions "did pretty well" when it came to knowing black history. The program sponsored a Trivia Bowl, at which several of the children won prizes.
"They knew a lot more than I thought they knew," Ms. King said.
This month -- Black History Month -- they also ventured to the Biko exhibit at the Valley Arts Guild in Sharon and learned about different African countries and painted African flags, which the guild displayed.
"We always try to educate them culturally, academically and socially," Ms. King said.
The Urban League has other aspects of black history on display, including books about blacks, a Kwanzaa display and a postage stamp photo of Thurgood Marshall, to be given away in a drawing at next month's annual African-American History and Heroes Essay Contest luncheon.
Scholastic Books is sending the program 1,000 books, which will be given away at the luncheon if they're received in time.
Sunday, the group will watch the Ice Capades at Mellon Arena in Pittsburgh. A trip to the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in Sharon also is in the works.
About 35 kids and 27 volunteers are involved in the program, which Ms. King said is constantly expanding.
"Our youth education department is doing a lot with the kids and the parents. We try to include the entire family in our projects," she said.
About 39 percent of the parents have become mentors since the program started in 1999. Ms. King said there is a noticeable difference in the children since then.
"We do see a difference in the kids, especially from the first year. All of the kids have improved at school, and grades are up at least by 0.5 percent," she said.
She said social skills also have improved, something that's apparent in conversations with the students. "You can tell they're more well-rounded."
The children meet every other week. The program is always interested in mentor volunteers who want to make a difference in a child's life.
To enroll a child or become a mentor, call (724) 981-5310.