After school activities can change a child's life

In recent years, the number of after-school programs has increased .. Twenty-first Century
Community has No Child Left Behind Act have encouraged growth in these kinds of programs.
In 2001, four out of ten children in kindergarten through eighth grade participated in after-school
activities at least once a week. Unfortunately, this means that between eight and fourteen million
children and youth are alone and unsupervised after school.
The Afterschool Alliance's recent examination of multiple studies of after-school program impact
found solid evidence that:

After-school programs keep children and youth safe and protect them from negative and
unsafe behaviors.
After school programs help working parents.

After-school activities help youth develop social skills, improve academic performance, and help
them build strong supportive relationships with adults other than their parents. Young children
benefit especially from the social skills development and improved academic skills. This leads to
improved conflict management and better school attendance. Middle-school aged youth who
continue to participate in after-school activities are more likely to be engaged in school and
attentive in class and less likely to be involved in violent behavior at school.
Participation in after-school activities continues to be a benefit for students right through high
school. Adolescents in after-school programs are optimistic for the future and have more interest
in school than peers who are unsupervised after school. After-school program participation also
helps to keep youth from skipping school and experimenting with alcohol, drugs and sexual
activity. In fact, the 1995 analysis of national data found that students who spend no time in
after-school activities are 49 percent more likely to have used drugs and 37 percent more likely
to become teen parents than students who spend one to four hours per week in after-school
activities. After-school programs prevent pregnancy by promoting sound judgment, offering
health education, and providing positive alternatives to sexual activity according to "Child
Trends Research Brief,". Furthermore, if youth stay involved in after-school activities through
adolescence, they are more likely to attend college, vote and volunteer as adults.
There are two reasons that after-school activities have these positive benefits for adolescents.
First, adolescents need guidance to grow into productive adulthood and after school programs
and activities keep youth busy between 2 and 6 p.m., the times when adolescents are most likely
to commit crimes, be crime victims, or participate in sexual activity. Second, after school
programs can provide extra time for career exploration, skill development, service learning and
internships to prepare them for college and work.
It is estimated that every dollar spent on after school programs will save taxpayers because of
reductions in youth crime, teen parenthood and school dropout rates. This estimate is based on
studies done across the country.. This cost benefit is in addition to the life-long love of learning,
improved level of education, and contributions in civic life that results from participation in
after-school programs and activities.

Researchers have also identified the characteristics of the most effective after-school programs
and activities. Robert Halpern, of Chicago's Erikson Institute for Graduate Study in Child
Development, names two characteristics of effective programs:

They support and complement classroom learning by emphasizing social, emotional and
physical development.
They provide opportunities for informal learning.

Other research identifies these additional characteristics of successful after-school programs:

Provide positive emotional climate without harsh, punitive controlling adult supervision.
Provide activities that support socialization with peers.

Include time for physical and creative activity.

AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITIES ARE WORTH

There are social, physical and psychological advantages for children who participate in afterschool activities. Rather than allowing kids to spend all of their leisure time parked in front of the
television or playing video games, parents who encourage children to participate in activities
outside of the home are aiding in their development. After-school activities can change a child's
life for the better and have multiple benefits.
Physical activity
With the growing problem of childhood obesity, children who participate in outdoor activities
and sports get the exercise they need and develop habits that can help them avoid this problem
and keep themselves physically fit. Sports also encourage teamwork and fair play, teaching kids
valuable lessons in cooperation and respect for others. The children develop more coordination
and are building healthier habits.
Creativity
Arts, music, crafts, collecting... These are all activities that encourage creativity, but also help
children learn problem-solving skills and encourage their natural curiosity. Children can explore
their individual talents and feel greater confidence as they discover their abilities.
Stress release
In an increasingly complex world, even children can feel stress. They are expected to do well in
school and can often be subject to peer pressure. Activities that take place in a no-pressure
environment and are just for fun are a good way to relax a healthy method for dealing with
stress. In these group settings, kids can shed shyness and gain social skills through observation
and casual interaction with other children.

Building confidence
Learning any new skill is an excellent way to build self-confidence. After-school activities teach
specific skills, but are also an opportunity for kids to learn social skills like cooperation,
negotiation and conflict resolution. Participation in these activities can subtly show them how to
appropriately interact with others. They learn how to think on their feet and develop better
communication skills while discovering new things they enjoy and can excel at.
Teamwork
Throughout our lives we need to understand and employ teamwork, and team sports help
children with the concept of working together to achieve a common goal. In these activities, kids
come to realize the importance of removing the focus from the individual and embracing the
camaraderie of the team. They learn lifelong lessons about sportsmanship and can enjoy the
excitement of competition while understanding it isn't always about winning, but about
participating and giving your best effort.
Time management
How do kids juggle all the things they have to do school, homework, family time, friendships
and after-school activities? Participating in a favorite activity is for fun and helps kids learn to
plan and prioritize. Basic organizational skills become good habits as kids organize their supplies
and equipment ahead of time in order to be ready for the activity. Allow older kids to be
responsible for their own schedules, as long as they don't overdo activities and neglect school
work and family time.

Precautionary methods to avoid theft in public

Be Prepared
Before you go, you can take some steps to minimize your loss in case of theft.
Make photocopies of key documents your passport, rail pass, car-rental voucher, itinerary, and
more.
If you have expensive electronics (camera, netbook, smartphone, etc.), consider getting theft
insurance and back up your files and photos frequently as you travel.
Leave your fancy bling at home. Luxurious luggage lures thieves. The thief chooses the most
impressive suitcase in the pile never mine.
Avoiding Theft
If you exercise adequate discretion, stay aware of your belongings, and avoid putting yourself
into risky situations (such as unlit, deserted areas at night), your travels should be about as
dangerous as hometown grocery shopping. Don't travel fearfully travel carefully.
Here's some advice given to me by a thief who won the lotto.
Wear a money belt. A money belt is a small, zippered fabric pouch on an elastic strap that
fastens around your waist, under your pants or skirt. I never travel without one it's where I put
anything I really, really don't want to lose.
Leave your valuables in your hotel room. Your expensive gear, like a laptop, is much safer in
your room than with you in a day bag on the streets. While hotels often have safes in the room
(or at the front desk), I've never bothered to use one, though many find them a source of great
comfort. Theft happens, of course, but it's relatively rare hoteliers are quick to squelch a
pattern of theft. That said, don't tempt sticky-fingered staff by leaving your camera or laptop in
plain view; tuck your enticing things well out of sight.
Establish a "don't lose it" discipline. Travelers are more likely to inadvertently lose their bags
than to have them stolen. I've heard of people leaving passports under pillows, bags on the
overhead rack on the bus, and cameras in the taxi. Always take a look behind you before leaving
any place or form of transport. At hotels, stick to an unpacking routine, and don't put things in
odd places in the room. Have a mental checklist to use every time you pack up again: money
belt, passport, cell phone, electronic gear, charging cords, toiletries, laundry, and so on. Before
leaving a hotel room for good, conduct a quick overall search under the bed, under the pillows
and bedspread, behind the bathroom door, in a wall socket....
When you're out and about, never idly set down any small valuable item, such as a camera,
ereader, wallet, or rail pass. Either hold it in your hand or keep it tucked away. At cafs, don't
place your phone on the tabletop where it will be easy to snatch leave it in your front pocket

(then return it to a safer place before you leave). Make it a habit to be careful with your things;
it'll become second nature.
Secure your bag. Thieves want to quickly and unobtrusively separate you from your valuables,
so even a minor obstacle can be an effective deterrent. If you're sitting down to eat or rest, loop a
strap of your daypack around your arm, leg, or chair leg. If you plan to sleep on a train (or at an
airport, or anywhere in public), clip or fasten your pack or suitcase to the seat, luggage rack, or
yourself. Even the slight inconvenience of undoing a clip deters most thieves. While I don't lock
the zippers on my bag, most zippers are lockable, and even a twist-tie, paper clip, or key ring is
helpful to keep your bag zipped up tight the point isn't to make your bag impenetrable, but
harder to get into than the next guy's.
Stay vigilant in crowds and steer clear of commotions. Go on instant alert anytime there's a
commotion; it's likely a smokescreen for theft. Imaginative artful-dodger thief teams create a
disturbance a fight, a messy spill, or a jostle or stumble to distract their victims.
Crowds anywhere, but especially on public transit and at flea markets, provide bad guys with
plenty of targets, opportunities, and easy escape routes.
Be on guard in train stations, especially upon arrival, when you may be overburdened by luggage
and overwhelmed by a new location. Take turns watching the bags with your travel partner. Don't
absentmindedly set down a bag while you wait in line at the train station; always be in physical
contact with your stuff. If you check your luggage, keep the claim ticket or locker key in your
money belt; thieves know just where to go if they snare one of these. On the train, be hyper-alert
at stops, when thieves can dash on and off with your bag.
City buses that cover tourist sights (such as Rome's notorious #64) are happy hunting grounds.
Be careful on packed buses or subways; to keep from being easy pickings, some travelers wear
their day bag against their chest (looping a strap around one shoulder). Some thieves lurk near
subway turnstiles; as you go through, a thief might come right behind you, pick your pocket and
then run off, leaving you stuck behind the turnstile and unable to follow. By mentioning these
scenarios, I don't want you to be paranoid...just prepared. If you keep alert, you'll keep your
valuables, too.

Top Ways to Help Animals in Your Community

So, you want to help animals in your own community, but just arent sure where to begin? Well,
the good news is there are many ways an animal lover can make a difference. From assisting in
the care and placement of shelter animals to educating the public on animal welfare issues to
fighting for stronger animal legislationhere are nine ways you can make a difference for
animals in your community.
Learn how to report animal cruelty. One of the best things you can do to help animals in your
community is to keep a list of people, including a humane law enforcement officer, a teacher or

your veterinarian, who can help you report animal cruelty. Every state is different. In some areas,
the police department investigates animal cruelty; in others, that job falls to local animal control
or another municipal agency. If you aren't sure where to report cruelty, visit our Report Animal
Cruelty section.
Start a neighborhood watch program. Get to know the animals in your neighborhood and
invite your friends and neighbors to do the same. Together you can keep an eye out for any
suspicious behaviorsabuse and neglect of companion animals, the mistreatment of local
wildlife, dogs left in hot cars and other signs of abuse.
Volunteer at your local shelter or animal rescue organization. Volunteering at your local
shelter is a great way to make a difference in the lives of many animals. From walking dogs and
organizing fundraising events to fostering abused or frightened animals, shelters across the
country are in desperate need of volunteers. Be sure to visit our Ten Ways to Help Your Local
Shelter for more suggestions.
Become an animal activist.
Call or write your local law enforcement officials. Let them know that animal cruelty is a crime
and investigating these cases should be a priority.
Help fight for the passage of strong anti-cruelty laws on federal, state and local levels by joining
the ASPCA Advocacy Brigade. As a brigade member, youll receive emails asking you to contact
your legislators and encourage them to pass these lawsand you can do so directly from our
website.
Help your neighbors help their animals. Companion animals play significant roles in the lives
of the people who love thembut sometimes the elderly or ill have trouble providing essential
pet care. If you see a neighbor in need, offer to assistwalk his dog, help with feeding, clean
litter boxes, groom animals, pick up pet food and other supplies, drive him to the veterinarian,
etc.
Start a pet food bank. See if there is a pet food pantry in your area and volunteer your time to
help distribute the much-needed pet food. If there isnt, consider starting one up. Host pet food
drives, similar to canned food drives, in central locations of your community such as shopping
centers and schools. For more detailed information on starting a pet food bank, visit Animal
Shelter Tips.
Promote spaying and neutering. Millions of adoptable cats and dogs are euthanized in shelters
every year. By spaying and neutering your animals, youll make sure you are not contributing to
the problem. You can also take this a step further by developing a spay/neuter outreach program
in your community. Visit our Spay/Neuter Database to see who in your community offers lowcost spay/neuter programs. Create flyers promoting the organizations that offer discounts in your
area and pass them out at central locations in your community.

Clean up for wildlife. Wild animals need protection, too. Birds, mammals and reptiles are often
injured or killed by the trash we throw away. Help implement a cleanup and recycling plan in
your community by organizing weekend trash cleanups in local parks, roadsides and forests.
Become an ASPCA Ambassador and fundraise for animals. ASPCA Ambassadors create their
own grassroots events and invite friends and family to become sponsors on behalf of the ASPCA.
Whether you decide to run a marathon for animals, plan a pet parade or have an orange bake
sale, your grassroots fundraising efforts will help us achieve our goal to end animal cruelty and
find permanent, loving homes for Americas adoptable pets. Once your plans are in place,
register your unique event on the ambassador site to share with animal lovers everywhere.

Helping Victims at the Scene of an Accident

Chances are at some point in your life you will witness an accident. While most accidents are
minor and not life-threatening, major accidents occur every day. Here are a few guidelines for
helping victims of an accident.
If you witness an accident, call 911 immediately. Dont assume someone else made the call. Its
better for emergency operators to get multiple calls than none at all. When you speak with the
emergency operator, describe the location in detail, including cross streets. Be sure to explain
what happened, how many people were involved and the condition of the victims to the best of
your ability. Do not hang up the phone until the operator tells you to.
When you approach the scene of the accident, use caution. Avoid another collision by parking
your car beyond the accident. Turn on your emergency flashers and make sure its safe to
approach the scene. Look for hazards such as downed power lines and spilled gasoline. If you do
come across a dangerous area, alert the emergency operator and avoid the area.
Dont move the victims unless theyre in immediate danger. Many car accidents inflict neck
or spine injuries to the victim and movement could make injuries worse. If the victim is in
imminent danger (like a car fire), and you can move the victim without causing injury to
yourself, do so while avoiding unnecessary bending or twisting the neck, body or limbs. For
example, if you find the victim with legs crossed, move him with his legs crossed. The sharp
edges of broken bones can cause internal damage if theyre moved around. Dragging the victim
is better than trying to lift him or her by yourself. The best way to drag the victim is by his or her
clothes above the shoulders or by the ankles.
If necessary, assist the victim with breathing. If the victim is not breathing, and you feel you
can safely administer aid without endangering yourself, tell the 911 operator and let him or her
coach you through the steps of CPR until the ambulance arrives.
Assist with first aid. If the victim is bleeding severely, and you feel you can safely administer
aid without endangering yourself, press firmly against the wound with some kind of thick pad or
cloth. This will help absorb the blood and allow it to clot. If possible, use a barrier between you

and the victims blood such as several dressings, a plastic bag or latex gloves. If blood soaks
through the cloth, dont remove it. This could cause the bleeding to worsen. Instead, add more
thick layers of cloth and apply pressure even more firmly. If the victim is still bleeding, and there
is no evidence of a broken bone, elevate the wound above the level of the heart. Elevation helps
reduce blood pressure at the wound. Continue to keep hand pressure on the wound.
Be on the lookout for shock symptoms. Many victims go into shock moments after an accident.
Symptoms of shock include pale, moist, clammy and cool skin; a weak and rapid pulse; dilated
pupils; weakness; thirst; nausea and vomiting; shallow, rapid breathing; a vacant expression; and
an offhand, so what attitude. Shock occurs when the victims circulatory system fails to provide
enough blood to the body especially the brain. Any serious injury can throw a person into
shock and shock can kill even when the injury is not life-threatening. If a victim appears to be in
shock, have him or her lie down and elevate the feet if you can do so without causing further
injury to the neck, back or wound. Do not move the victim if you believe there might be a spinal
injury. In cool weather, place blankets or coats under and around the victim to conserve body
heat. Reassure the victim. Gentleness, kindness and understanding play an important role in the
treatment of shock.
Only assist if you are certain you will not be in danger and use extreme caution to prevent any
further injuries. By rendering preliminary aid, you could potentially save lives. By remembering
these tips you will be capable of helping someone in need in an emergency situation.
One of the misconceptions about road accidents death is that most of them happen due to sever
injury and loss of blood. But reality is that most common cause of death in road accidents due to
loss of oxygen supply. Most of the times it happens because airway gets blocked due to great
impact and shock to body. Normally it takes less than four minutes for a blocked airway to cause
death.

Over 50 Ways to Help an Orphan

1. Make a general donation to Families Saving Orphans to sponsor a specific project or
child.
2. Sponsor a child.
3. Set aside an amount each month and donate with your debit or credit card.
4. Participate in "7 Days of Nothing" and donate the money you save.
5. Become a "Saving Sponsor" by donating $1,000 to the Families Saving Orphans project
and have your adoption or orphan story featured on our website. Click here for more
details.
6. Sacrifice one or more things in your life and donate what you save to help an orphan.
Even one dollar can make a difference in the life of an orphan. Examples of things you
might sacrifice: cable T.V. subscription, soda addiction, cigarettes, Starbucks coffee, fast
food meals, full price movies (go to the dollar theater instead) dessert, manicure/pedicure.

7. Ask for donations from others. Send a letter to family members and friends and let them
know you are trying to raise funds to help orphans. Ask them each for $10 or more if they
can. Set a goal to get 10 donations.
8. Donate airline miles to Families for Orphans to help defray travel costs for our project
managers as they travel to arrange medical care or help for orphans. Email us to set it up.
9. Go in person to local businesses and ask them to donate to Families for Orphans.
10. Arrange with Super Markets in our areas to set up a table where you can tell people about
Families for Orphans and ask for donations.
11. Organize a pancake breakfast or a spaghetti dinner with the proceeds going to an orphan
project. Ask businesses, friends and family to donate the supplies. Raffle or auction off
donated items during the dinner, and encourage attendees to bring along items they can
donate. Think about the people you know and what they could offer you. Do you have
family who own a timeshare or condo or cabin? If so, auction off a weekend! Do you
have a dentist in the family? Auction off a free exam and cleaning! Can you or a friend
sew or quilt? Raffle off a custom quilt or blanket!
12. Sell unwanted household items on eBay and donate the proceeds.
13. Have a yard sale. Get friends and family members to donate items for you to sell,
especially big items like serviceable furniture. Advertise well, listing specific highdemand items in your newspaper ad.
14. Use a credit card that gives you cash back on purchases and donate the cash back to help
an orphan.
15. Organize a "Hoops for Orphans" event where children get sponsors to donate a specific
amount for every basket they make at a special event you organize.
16. Organize a golf tournament with the proceeds going to help orphans.
17. Request that your birthday gifts be donated to help orphans.
18. During the holiday season request that those who traditionally give you gifts donate to
help orphans instead.
19. Instead of sending a gift to someone, donate the amount of the gift you would have given
to help an orphan and inform them of the donation being made in their name.
20. Organize a "Service Auction for Orphans" where family members and friends donate a
service to be auctioned off with proceeds going to help orphans.
21. Share your orphan story. If you have had a positive experience with adoption or helping
orphans, share your story with others.
22. Conduct a Families for Orphans drive in your neighborhood by sending a personal letter
to 10-20 friends and neighbors asking for a donation to help orphans.

23. Dollars for Orphans. For one month ask everyone you come in contact with for $1 to help
an orphan. Explain that most orphans live on less than $1 each day.
24. Hold a birthday party for an orphan and invite your friends to come and each bring $10 to
donate to help an orphan who has probably never had a birthday party.
25. Consider adopting a child.
26. Hold an "Orphan Awareness Night" in your home and show the Families for Orphans
DVD and request donations.
27. Send out an email to everyone in your email address book inviting them to come to
familiessavingorphans.org to sponsor a child or an orphan project.
28. Put Families for Orphans as a recipient in your will.
29. Ask someone else to put Families for Orphans in their will.
30. Contact local businesses and invite them to match your donation.
31. Challenge family members to match your personal donation.
32. Hold a Families Saving Orphans barbecue and donate the proceeds.
33. Organize a "Walkathon for Orphans."
34. Do an "eBay Scavenger Hunt" and ask neighbors and friends to donate items from a list
you create of items that could be easily sold on eBay. Then auction them off on eBay.
35. Encourage your school to conduct a "Dollars for Orphans" project where each child is
invited to bring in $1 to help an orphan. We can match up a school with a specific
orphanage or project.
36. Organize friends and family to do a "Car Wash for Orphans."
37. Ask your pastor if you can pass around a "Dollars for Orphans" collection plate to your
congregation to gather donations.
38. Ask your church to sponsor an orphan or project.
39. Cancel your newspaper service and use those funds to sponsor an orphan.
40. Ask your dentist, doctor, orthodontist, chiropractor or anyone you regularly pay to
receive services from to see if they will donate a portion of your payment to help an
orphan.
41. Email your friends and families the link to "Compelling Orphan Stories" so they will be
motivated to help orphans as well.
42. Take up a collection from co-workers to donate to Families for Orphans.

43. Put a link to familiesavingorphans.org on your business, family, or personal website and
invite people to learn about the needs or orphans.
44. Start a blog and tell people about Families for Orphans and send them to our Web site.
45. Contact families that you know who have adopted or who are considering adoption and
send them to familiessavingorphans.org, and invite them to share their stories with us or
to become a "Saving Family" and have their story featured on our Web site.
46. Dedicate a percentage of the profits of your business each month to Families for Orphans
and advertise your support of this project.
47. Send out a flier to your neighbors, friends, and family offering a paid service informing
them that the proceeds will go to help orphans. Ideas for services you could offer:
babysitting, housecleaning, baked goods or yard work.