After-School Programs
Morningside supports after-school programs in integrating social and emotional learning and fostering social responsibility in their work with young people.
Reach
Our three PAZ after-school programs serve about 500 K-8 students in Brooklyn and the Bronx. Each year, we also provide workshops for hundreds of staff from other NYC after-school programs.
Program Quality
Evaluators from New York City's Department of Youth and Community Development rate the quality of our PAZ after-school programs as "far above standard" in program practice, compliance, and administration.
Impact
Surveys of after-school students engaged in our C Squad curriculum found increased levels of trust, empathy, optimism, critical thinking, perseverance, and academic motivation.
After school is a great time to help young people develop and practice their social and emotional skills – and their sense of social responsibility. Morningside Center supports after-school programs in two ways:
- We facilitate engaging workshops on social and emotional learning (SEL), restorative practices, and equity for the staff of after-school programs that are part of NYC’s Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD).
- We operate our own after-school program that focuses on social and emotional learning and equity.
SEL Workshops for After-School Staff
Morningside Center offers hands-on workshops for the staff of NYC after-school programs. Our workshops model and demonstrate interactive approaches staff can use with youth to build their social and emotional skills, foster awareness, and encourage leadership. This includes:
- fun gatherings and games to open and close workshops
- establishing community agreements
- using small groups, pair-shares and other engaging formats
- group-building activities
- group problem-solving strategies
- using teachable moments to bolster the SEL skills that young people are learning
- relating SEL skills to arts programming, to sports, and to other program elements
PAZ After-School Program
Morningside Center partners with PS 24 in Brooklyn to run an exemplary after-school program called PAZ (PAZ stands for Peace from A to Z.)
The PAZ program combines a rich menu of after-school activities (including the arts, science, sports, community engagement, and academic support) with a strong focus on building social and emotional skills and fostering a sense of social awareness and social responsibility.
Testimonials
-
I have been in PAZ for four years and I love it. I am leader in mediation. I would like to be able to visit the program after I graduate and volunteer.
Christopher, 5th grade -
PAZ is really important to me because I get to help first-graders and kindergartners with their homework. I also get to learn new things and express myself.
Daniela, 5th grade