Carver Community Organization Inc

CARVER COMMUNITY ORG, INC. IS PROVIDING CHILD CARE, AFTER SCHOOL YOUTH PROGRAMS, & SENIOR SERVICES WITHIN A SAFE ENVIRONMENT THAT TEACHES RESPECT FOR SELF, OTHERS & THE COMMUNITY.

EARLY CHILD DEVELOPMENTTHE CARVER COMMUNITY CHILDCARE PROGRAM IS A STATE-LICENSED PROGRAM THAT USES THE CREATIVE CURRICULUM TO PROVIDE CHILD CENTERED ENVIRONMENTS IN LITERACY, MATH, SCIENCE, WRITING ART AND MUSIC FOR AGES 6 WEEKS TO 12 YEARS OLD. CARVER COMMUNITY OFFERS QUALITY CHILDCARE DURING 1ST AND 2ND SHIFT HOURS. THE MISSION OF THE PROGRAM IS TO PROMOTE A HEALTHY LEARNING ENVIRONMENT FOR ALL CHILDREN TO ACHIEVE THE SOCIAL, EMOTIONAL, INTELLECTUAL, AND PHYSICAL WELL-BEING NECESSARY FOR EFFECTIVE GROWTH LEADING TOWARD FUTURE SUCCESSES. THE PURPOSE/GOAL OF THE CHILDCARE PROGRAM IS:1. TO TREAT EACH CHILD AS AN INDIVIDUAL.2. TO PROMOTE SELF-CONFIDENT LEARNERS THROUGH DEVELOPMENTALLY APPROPRIATE PRACTICES.3. TO ENCOURAGE ACTIVE PARTICIPATION OF THE ENTIRE FAMILY AND THE COMMUNITY.TO ACHIEVE OUR GOALS, IT IS OUR OBJECTIVE TO:1. ENCOURAGE PARENT/FAMILY READING AND RELATED ACTIVITIES WITH THEIR CHILDREN.2. INCREASE CHILDCARE PROVIDERS' KNOWLEDGE OF LITERACY-RELATED ISSUES AMONG CHILDREN3. INCREASE PARENTS/FAMILIES; AND CHILDCARE PROVIDERS' KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS ASSOCIATED WITH EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT PRACTICES.4. EXPAND ACCESS TO QUALITY EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT.2021 ACCOMPLISHMENTS:SERVED A TOTAL OF 96 CHILDREN. - 100% OF PRE-SCHOOL PARTICIPANTS ARE PREPARED FOR KINDERGARTEN95% OF INFANT AND TODDLERS AGES 6 WEEKS TO 24 MONTHS MASTERED THE DEVELOPMENTAL MILESTONES IN LANGUAGE/COGNITIVE, SOCIAL/EMOTIONAL, GROSS MOTOR AND PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT95% OF THE FAMILIES SERVED REPORT THEY ARE SATISFIED OVERALL WITH THE QUALITY OF CARE PROVIDED TO THEIR CHILDMAINTAINED LEVEL 3 ON PATH'S TO QUALITY. 90% OF STAFF WITH 20 HOURS OF PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT TRAINING.

YOUTH PROGRAMTHE YOUTH PROGRAM PROVIDES FUN AND ENLIGHTENING EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS FOR STUDENTS IN GRADES K-12. STUDENTS RECEIVE HOMEWORK ASSISTANCE AS WELL AS STRUCTURED AND SUPERVISED ACTIVITIES.ACTIVITIES INCLUDE:HOMEWORK ASSISTANCE AND TUTORING, DRUG PREVENTION, ART AND MUSIC EDUCATION, SPORTS AND RECREATION ALONG WITH HEALTH, FITNESS AND NUTRITION, DIGITAL RECORDING STUDIO, SCIENCE AND COMPUTER LABS, REEL TV- YOUTH OPERATED TELEVISION STATION WITH AN EDITING STUDIO, PATHFINDERS- SATURDAY SCHOOL S.T.E.A.M. FOCUSED ON COMPETENCY BUILDING WITH POST-SECONDARY AND CAREER PREPARATION, ACADEMIES- MORE IN-DEPTH PROGRAM EXPERIENCE FOR STUDENTS WHO SHOW AN INTEREST AND COMMITMENT (EXTREME SPORTS (GOLF, TENNIS, MARTIAL ARTS), FASHION ACADEMY, CHESS ACADEMY)2021 ACCOMPLISHMENTS SERVED 9 STUDENTS FROM JANUARY MARCH. COVID 19 CONTINUES TO BE A FEAR AND THREAT AMONG MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY. MANY PARENTS ARE STILL ADJUSTING TO CHALLENGING WORK SCHEDULES AND TRANSPORTATION CONCERNS BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC. WE ARE CONTINUING TO FACE OBSTACLES FILLING EMPLOYMENT POSITIONS WHICH HAS A TREMENDOUS EFFECT ON THE NUMBER OF YOUTHS WE CAN ENROLL IN THE PROGRAM. YOUTH CONTINUED TO GAIN HOMEWORK ASSISTANCE BY TRAINED AND WELL-EDUCATED STAFF AND COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERS. THEY WERE ENGAGED IN CHARACTER COUNTS SESSIONS THAT ADDRESSED THE BASICS OF WHAT IS EXPECTED IN SOCIETY TO DEVELOP A WELL-ROUNDED PERSON. THE YOUTH LEARNED THE IMPORTANCE OF CIVIC ENGAGEMENT ALL WHILE INCREASING THEIR COGNITIVE ABILITIES THROUGH MEASURABLE AND RESEARCH-BASED PROGRAM SUCH AS RENAISSANCE. YOUTH WERE INTRODUCED TO VARIOUS MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY THAT VOLUNTEERED TO TEACH SKILLS FROM THE BASIC MECHANICS OF CHESS TO EXPANDING THEIR TECHNOLOGICAL SKILLS WITH WEEKLY TECH LESSONS AND CODING PROGRAMS ALTHOUGH OUR PROGRAM RESUMED AND CONTINUED TO PROVIDE THE SAME QUALITY PROGRAMS, OUR STUDENT ENROLLMENT HAS REMAINED LOW, DUE TO COVID. OUR PROGRAM OPERATIONS CONTINUE WITH COVID MASK WEARING REQUIREMENTS TO HELP ENSURE THE SAFETY OF OUR YOUTH AND STAFF. THE PATH FINDER'S SATURDAY SCHOOL PROGRAM CONDUCTED SUCCESSFUL SESSIONS THAT PROVIDED YOUTH WITH KNOWLEDGE BASED AROUND STEAM RELATED LEARNING. TWO SIX-WEEK SESSIONS WERE CONDUCTED WITH FOUR STUDENTS IN THE WINTER AND 15 STUDENTS IN THE SPRING. PARENT VOLUNTEERED TO ASSIST WITH SOME OF THE LEARNING OBJECTIVES FOR THE PROGRAM. OUR CONTINUED PARTNERSHIP WITH CORPORATIONS THAT SERVE OUR RESIDENTS ALLOW THE YOUTH TO SEE OPPORTUNITIES FOR THEIR FUTURE SELVES.

AARP FOUNDATION EXPERIENCE CORPSAARP FOUNDATION EXPERIENCE CORPS IS AN EVIDENCE-BASED, VOLUNTEER-SUPPORTED LITERACY PROGRAM WHERE PARTICIPANTS ARE A PART OF A NATIONAL CORPS OF TUTORS THAT ARE MAKING A DIFFERENCE FOR CHILDREN NATIONWIDE. THIS NATIONAL AWARD-WINNING LITERACY PROGRAM ENGAGES ADULTS AGE 50+ TO SERVE AS VOLUNTEER MENTORS FOR STUDENTS IN GRADES K-3 WHO ARE READING BELOW GRADE LEVEL TO BECOME GREAT READERS BY THE END OF THIRD GRADE. MENTORS MEET ONE-ON-ONE WITH STUDENTS FOR STRUCTURED 30-MINUTE TUTORING SESSIONS 2-3 TIMES PER WEEK DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR TO INCREASE LITERACY SKILLS IN FLUENCY, VOCABULARY, AND COMPREHENSION - RESULTING IN BOOSTING THEIR CONFIDENCE AND LOVE FOR READING. EC HELPS TO IMPROVE THE LITERACY RATES OF CHILDREN, ENRICH THE LIVES OF THE VOLUNTEER MENTORS, AND STRENGTHENS SCHOOLS IN THE COMMUNITIES WE SERVE.2021 EC PROGRAM YEAR ACCOMPLISHMENTSAPPROXIMATELY 39 STUDENTS RECEIVED SUSTAINED 1:1 SMALL GROUP TUTORING13 VOLUNTEER TUTORS COMPLETED THE 2021-2022 SCHOOL YEAR8THE EC EVANSVILLE PROGRAM SERVED 17 CLASSROOMS IN 6 TITLE I SCHOOLS THROUGHOUT WARRICK AND VANDERBURGH COUNTY (CAZE, DELAWARE, LINCOLN, FAIRLAWN, EVANS, AND CHANDLER) AS WELL AS AFTERSCHOOL LOCATIONS

CARVER SENIOR SERVICES CENTER FRIENDSHIP PROGRAMCARVER SENIOR SERVICES CENTER IS COMMITTED TO HELPING OLDER CITIZENS, AGES 55 AND OLDER, TO STAY ACTIVE AND INDEPENDENT. THE CENTER IS OPEN MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY FROM 11:00 A.M. TO 4:00 P.M. OFFERING ARTS & CRAFTS, TABLE GAMES, HEALTH & RECREATION, AND VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES. THE SENIOR RECREATIONAL PROGRAM PROMOTES LIFELONG LEARNING AND KEEPS PARTICIPANTS INFORMED OF MANY OPTIONS AVAILABLE TO THEM AS WELL AS DECREASING ISOLATION TAKING GREATER ADVANTAGE OF LIMITED COMMUNITY RESOURCES. THE OBJECTIVES ARE TO ENHANCE PARTICIPANTS' FEELING OF SOCIAL CONNECTIVENESS, USEFULNESS, AND OVERALL WELL-BEING. ULTIMATELY ALLOWING PARTICIPANTS TO AGE IN PLACE AND REMAIN A PART OF THEIR FAMILY AND COMMUNITY. DUE TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC PROGRAMACTIVITIES WERE LIMITED BECAUSE OF THE INCREASED RISK OF EXPOSURE FOR SENIOR CITIZENS. TRANSITIONING TO RE-OPENING WAS SLIGHTLY CHALLENGING FOR FEAR OF COVID AND THE MUTATION OF MULTIPLE VARIANTS.2021 ACCOMPLISHMENTSMEMBERSHIP INCREASED BY 50% FROM REOPENING AFTER THE INTRODUCTION OF COVID 19 TO NOW.COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS GREW FROM TWO TO 24 WHEN RE-OPENING AFTER THE INTRODUCTION OF COVID 19.DAILY LUNCH IS NOW BEING SERVED THANKS TO A PARTNERSHIP WITH SOUTHWESTERN INDIANA REGIONAL COUNCIL ON AGING INC. (S.W.I.R.C.A).FIVE INTERNS FROM THREE OUTLINE UNIVERSITIES MAJORING IN SOCIAL WORK HAVE BEEN ABLE TO GROW, LEARN AND ENHANCE THEIR CAREERS BY SERVING WITH OUR MEMBERS.WE HAVE INTRODUCED A SOLUTION TO THE FOOD DEPLETION ZONE BY PARTNERING WITH NOURISH. A HIGH QUALITY, NUTRIENT-DENSE AND AFFORDABLE FOOD BUYING PROGRAM WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY.HEALTH AND WELLNESS PROGRAMS WERE IMPLEMENTED THROUGH THE PARTNERSHIP WITH PURDUE EXTENSION. MEMBERS RECEIVED HEALTHY COOKING LESSONS, RECIPES, SIMPLE EXERCISE SESSIONS, AND PARTICIPATION CERTIFICATES.A LOOMING WITH LOVE GROUP WAS STARTED. IT IS A WAY TO ADDRESS THE ISOLATION EFFECTS FROM COVID 19, LOOMING WAS OFFERED TO INCREASE SOCIALIZATION, BUILD SELF-ESTEEM AND CREATIVITY, DEVELOP, AND REBUILD FINE MOTOR SKILLS AND PERCEPTUAL SKILLS FROM THE ENTIRE CREATIVE PROCESS.COMMUNITY PARTNERS HAVE PROVIDED SESSIONS TO OUR MEMBERS ON SAFETY IN YOUR HOME, HEALTH SERVICES IN THE COMMUNITY, PROTECTING YOUR ASSETS, UNDERSTANDING MEDICARE PLANS AND UNDERSTANDING THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A POWER OF ATTORNEY AND AN EXECUTOR.MEMBERS ARE RENEWING RELATIONSHIPS THAT WERE FEARED TO BE LOST DUE TO THE SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL DAMAGE OF COVID 19.AMERICORPS SENIORS RSVP (RETIRED & SENIOR VOLUNTEER PROGRAM)ONE OF THE LARGEST VOLUNTEER NETWORKS IN THE NATION, AMERICORPS SENIORS RSVP BRINGS PEOPLE 55 AND OLDER TOGETHER TO TACKLE THE COUNTRY'S MOST PRESSING CHALLENGES THROUGH NATIONAL SERVICE AND VOLUNTEERING. AMERICORPS SENIORS VOLUNTEERS SERVE WITH ORGANIZATIONS DEDICATED TO THE IMPROVEMENT OF COMMUNITIES AND HELP TO MAKE SERVICE TO OTHERS A CORNERSTONE OF OUR NATIONAL CULTURE. LOCALLY, RSVP VOLUNTEERS GIVE OF THEIR TIME BY PROVIDING AGING IN PLACE SERVICES - TRANSPORTATION AND COMPANIONSHIP FOR HOMEBOUND ADULTS. VOLUNTEERS ASSIST WITH INCREASING FOOD SECURITY, PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR MULTIPLE VETERAN SERVICE PROJECTS, SERVE WITHIN DISASTER PREPAREDNESS, SORTING DONATIONS AT THRIFT STORES TO KEEP MATERIALS OUT OF LOCAL LANDFILLS. RSVP EVANSVILLE-VANDERBURGH IS FUNDED IN PART BY AMERICORPS SENIORS AND SPONSORED BY CARVER COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION. CARVER HAS BEEN THE SPONSOR OF RSVP EVANSVILLE-VANDERBURGH SINCE APRIL 2009.THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC HAD A DETRIMENTAL EFFECT ON OUR COMMUNITY BUT PARTICULARLY ON A PROGRAM DESIGNED FOR OLDER ADULTS; THE AVERAGE AGE OF THE RSVP VOLUNTEERS IS 75. WHILE THE RSVP VOLUNTEERS WERE ORDERED TO SHELTER IN PLACE AND FOLLOW THE LOCAL AND STATE PROTOCOLS AND CDC GUIDELINES, MANY CONTINUED TO DO WHAT THEY COULD TO SUPPORT THEIR COMMUNITY BY INCREASING AGING IN PLACE SUPPORT, RETURNING TO FOOD PANTRIES, AND DELIVERING COMMODITY BOXES.2021 ACCOMPLISHMENTSOF THE 71 VOLUNTEERS ON THE ROSTER, 49% RETURNED TO SERVICE DURING THE PANDEMIC. IN SERVICE AT ONLY 15 STATIONS, VOLUNTEERS GAVE 2,480 HOURS; SAVING THE VOLUNTEER STATIONS OVER $70,779,20 DURING ONE OF THE MOST TURBULENT YEARS WE HAVE FACED AS A COMMUNITY.RSVP PROVIDED FOOD BASKETS TO 15 LOCAL VETERAN FAMILIES DURING THE HOLIDAYS. THESE BASKETS CONTAIN EVERYTHING THEY WOULD NEED, BEGINNING WITH BREAKFAST ALL THE WAY THROUGH TO THEIR HOLIDAY DINNER, WITH ENOUGH SUPPLIES PROVIDED TO LAST THE FAMILY AT LEAST THREE DAYS.DUE TO COVID, RSVP WAS UNABLE TO HOST THE VETERAN'S ANNUAL RECOGNITION EVENT OR HOLD THE ANNUAL RAFFLE FUNDRAISING EVENT. WORKING WITH LONGTIME SPONSORS, THE VOLUNTEERS PROVIDED FOOD SECURITY SUPPORT TO 18 VETERAN OR MILITARY FAMILIES; A TOTAL OF 79 PEOPLE! IN ADDITION, SEVEN OF THOSE FAMILIES CELEBRATED THE HOLIDAYS WITH GIFTS...A TOTAL OF 11 ADULTS AND 30 CHILDREN. VOLUNTEERS WERE ABLE TO MEET MANY NEEDS FOR ITEMS SUCH AS COATS, WORK SHOES, TENNIS SHOES AND CLOTHING AND EACH OF THE FAMILIES ALSO RECEIVED A $20 CIRCLE K GIFT CARD TO USE FOR GAS.PROCESSED OVER 12 TONS OF MATERIALS AT LOCAL THRIFT STORESPROVIDED AGING IN PLACE SERVICES TO MORE THAN 53 HOMEBOUND INDIVIDUALS RELATIVES AS PARENTS PROGRAM (RAPP)RELATIVES AS PARENTS PROGRAM (RAPP) IS AN ONGOING EDUCATION AND SUPPORT PROGRAM FOR GRANDPARENTS AND OTHER NON-PARENT RELATIVES WHO PROVIDE PRIMARY CARE FOR RELATIVE CHILDREN. MONTHLY SUPPORT GROUPS, EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES, YOUTH PROGRAMS AND OTHER SUPPORT SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE. EVANSVILLE RAPP IS A MEMBER OF A NATIONAL NETWORK SUPPORTED BY THE BROOKDALE FOUNDATION AND ADMINISTERED BY CARVER COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION. DUE TO COVID-19 THE RELATIVE AS PARENTS PROGRAM OPERATED VIA ZOOM IN 2021.COMMUNITY GUIDANCE FOR FAMILIES PROGRAM (CGFF)IT IS THE GOAL OF CARVER'S COMMUNITY GUIDANCE FOR FAMILIES PROGRAM TO ASSIST IMPACTED FAMILIES BY CONNECTING THEM TO RESOURCES AND ASSISTING THEM IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF FAMILY PLANS THAT CAN BE USED THROUGH COVID AND BEYOND. GOALS INCLUDE PARENTING WORKSHOPS, ENGAGEMENT IN YOUR CHILD'S LEARNING, HOUSING SITUATION, AND FINANCIAL WORKSHOPS.2021 ACCOMPLISHMENTSKINDERGARTEN PARENT INFORMATIONAL SESSION WAS PROVIDEDTO PARENTS WHOSE CHILDREN WERE ENTERING KINDERGARTEN. WE PROVIDED 11 PARENTS WITH MEALS FROM FAZOLI'S TO GO. VIRTUAL CAR SEAT SAFETY TIPS DO'S AND DON'TS FAMILY WORKSHOP OFFERED TO PARENTS. THIS TRAINING WAS A PARTNERSHIP WITH 4C OF SOUTHERN INDIANA. AARP AND TOYOTA TEAMED UP TO PROVIDE CARVER WITH TWO NEW 2021 TOYOTA SENNA MINI VANS. THROUGH THEIR SUPPORT CARVER'S VEHICLES FOR VACCINE PROJECT WAS ABLE TO AMPLIFY THE COVID-19 VACCINE OUTREACH EFFORTS AND PROVIDE MORE RIDES FOR VACCINES AND OTHER ESSENTIAL NEEDS. VEHICLES FOR VACCINE PROJECT PROVIDED 144 TRIPS. PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT TRAINING WAS OFFERED TO CARVER STAFF. THE TRAINING FOCUSED ON STRENGTHENING COMMUNICATION AND TEAMWORK AMID A PANDEMIC. 9 STAFF MEMBERS ATTENDED. PARTNERSHIP WITH GROW SOUTHWEST INDIANA WORKFORCE BOARD AND CARVER TO IMPLEMENT THE NEIGHBORHOOD NAVIGATORS PROJECT. THE NEIGHBORHOOD NAVIGATOR ASSISTS CARVER'S PARTICIPANTS AND THE COMMUNITY IN JOB SEARCH, RESUME ASSISTANCE, INTERVIEWING SKILLS, CAREER COUNSELING, CASE MANAGEMENT, JOB PLACEMENT, SUPPORTIVE AND FOLLOW-UP SERVICES. 8 PARTICIPANTS HAVE UTILIZED THE SERVICES.