Youth Fun: Resident Services

For many children living in affordable housing, summer is an empty stretch filled with nothing to do except hang out watching television. Youth activities such as summer camp, swim lessons, even the Boys and Girls Club are unaffordable, and thereby out of reach.

Through a series of Summer Art Classes, NeighborWorks Umpqua Resident Services brought outside activities to the kids at two of our properties; Sunset and Princeton Apartments. Engaging children in activities is one key to successful residencies and greater self-sufficiency.

For eight weeks, children participated in art classes at no cost. NeighborWorks Umpqua partnered with the Foster Grandparent Program who volunteered with helping hands, listening ears and experience working with children.

Learning was integrated with activities. One week children learned to "produce their own shows" by creating hand puppets and writing a story about their puppet's life. They now see that instead of passively watching whatever is before them, they can be active creators.

After the session, snacks were distributed and kids could talk about what they liked about the activity.

As one little girl said, "If it weren't for the art classes, I would be sitting in my apartment getting on my mom's nerves."

NeighborWorks Umpqua's small investment of time and creativity helped shape summer from one of monotony to one filled with potential and possibilities.