The McGivney Community Center’s school year program runs from September to June and operates Monday – Thursday from 2:30 – 9:00, Fridays from 2:30 – 5:30. During school vacations we are open from 10:00 – 3:00 each day.

Nearly 300 youth between the ages of 6 and 21 enroll in our school year programs and participate in the following areas:

 

Homework Assistance

Offered each afternoon, each member attends a mandatory Homework Assistance class. Each day the students work with the same staff members who keep a record of the work done daily by the student so that over time it can be determined what problems the child has with different subjects and assignments. Tools for communication with parents and teachers also help us focus on helping students who are struggling in particular areas.

 

Supplemental Education

This program is offered each day to children who do not bring homework to the Center. Following lesson plans developed by a certified teacher, newspapers, short stories, reading games and holiday themes are used to help students improve their reading and writing skills. In order to raise accountability, homework logs are sent to school for children who fail to bring homework to our center more than once per week.

 

Computer Literacy

All members in the after school program have the opportunity to participate in structured computer lessons. Students learn how to navigate the internet by visiting youth-friendly websites. Students also learn how to type and use keyboard commands by completing planned projects developed by our Computer Instructor. Each and every child is encouraged to participate so that no one leaves McGivney without having had the opportunity to use a computer.

 

Music Program

Led by a retired Bridgeport Board of Education teacher with more than 30 years of experience, children participate in a music program that is the only one of its kind in the Northeast. By utilizing marimbas, drums and keyboards, our music instructor can teach a novice to play a song within one afternoon session. Once members are proficient, they join our band, which performs in off-site engagements throughout the year.

 

Scholarship Fund

Another program we are proud of is our Virginia K. Forni Scholarship Fund. Further illustrating the commitment the McGivney Community Center has made to education, this scholarship was established by our Board of Directors in the spring of 2000. Each spring scholarships are awarded to elementary, middle and high-schoolers who wish to attend private or catholic school. Scholarships are also provided to college students to help defray tuition costs.

 

Arts and Crafts

Our arts and crafts area continues to be a favorite for many of our members. Using different types of media children are encouraged to explore and create many different types of age appropriate projects. These projects range from the simple to the more complex.

 

Recreation

Members are able to learn new games and build new interpersonal skills by participating in our recreation program. Group games are designed to build cooperative skills, as well as develop communication skills and peer-to-peer relationships. Youth also participate in our championship travel teams and compete in an organized league in games held throughout the Fairfield County area.  For a current schedule of our travel basketball league games, please click here.

 

Youth Council

The McGivney Community Center created our first Youth Council last fall. Youth Council representatives were elected by their peers and have input on programs and program implementation. We believe that by having a voice in what happens in our center, youth investment will be increased, and will also help increase the leadership and self-esteem skills of our youth. Youth Council members are required to engage in at least one community service and one civic engagement project each year. Youth Council sub-committees include a safety committee which helps moderate peer-to-peer conflicts; a community service committee which develops service activities that engage positively youth at our center; a fundraising committee, which raises money for Youth Council-sponsored activities; and a program committee that works with program staff to create and improve programs and activities at the center.

 

Evening Program

Open to high-schoolers and young adults from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., students are able to utilize our computer lab, as well as receive tutoring assistance from on-site staff. Our popular evening recreation program is attended by an average of 35 - 40 students per night.