Launched in September 2000, Long Beach BLAST - Better Learning After School Today's mission is to improve after school learning for at-risk children and youth through collaboration.
BLAST
prepares volunteers to mentor children who are at-risk for school failure
Through
our signature program, college students volunteer as academic mentors to Long
Beach's most disadvantaged students in grades K-12. BLAST recruits mentors
through collaborations with California State University Long Beach (CSULB),
Long Beach City College (LBCC), and California State University Dominguez
Hills (CSUDH). BLAST then trains, places, and supports them at partnerin after
school program sites. BLAST has had a variety of college students volunteer
from different courses which include departments like teacher education, psychology,
sociology, liberal studies, recreation, information systems, human development,
art, linguistics, political science, and communication.
BLAST
operates an after school program
BLAST's
first full-service, year-round after school program is held at the Northpointe
Housing Community in North Long Beach. BLAST serves 55-60 students daily in
a safe and productive environment where they participate in a wide variety
of activities including: homework help, reading and literacy learning, computer
education, arts & crafts, cooking, recreational games, cultural lessons,
and PeaceBuilders' conflict resolution strategies.
BLAST
provides literacy tutors
Partnering with the County of Los Angeles' Probation Department, BLAST provides
tutors through our Operation Read Program. Tutors work with youth in the areas
of reading, literacy, and writing. The program emphasizes learning through
phonics, journal writing, word games, reading aloud, and fluency exercises.
For more information about our programs and services, click on the "Programs" section above
