Hard to believe, but it has indeed been eight weeks since we started the iEmpower program in Princeton schools. Since then, we have been working with the youth on building myriad skills all with the purpose of self-reliance skills, communication skills, and self-confidence. As the half-way point of the first sixteen weeks of iEmpower comes and goes, we are taking time to evaluate the effectiveness and impact of the program. So far, we’ve come to one conclusion: we like what we see.
Just in case it’s needed, here’s a little refresher on what iEmpower is all about. iEmpower is an after-school program for youth grades K-12. The groups are broken up by ages: K-2, 3-5, 6-8 and 9-12. Faculty and staff at each school refer students to the iEmpower program. Students are chosen by school faculty and staff after being identified as falling through the cracks, students who might have difficulty relating to their peers, or students who would otherwise not get the attention they deserve if it wasn’t for the iEmpower program. iEmpower then works with those students to build their skills and confidence through a variety of lessons and activities aimed at giving the students the skills that they can use to create their own solutions now and in their future.
As we review the past eight weeks, it has been truly rewarding to reflect upon the growth of the students in the program. Students in all the groups have grown more confident, their self-esteem has increased, and they’ve gained the ability to help themselves with the obstacles and challenges they encounter in their day-to-day lives. You don’t just have to take our word for it, the students have talked about how they’ve benefited from iEmpower, letting us know how it is impacting their lives. As part of a video about the event, the students were asked to give their thoughts on iEmpower, and to talk about their favorite parts of the program.
But we still have a long way to go. This April we are bringing iEmpower for the first time to the Elk River school district. In addition to the program being in Princeton schools, iEmpower will also be in an elementary school in Elk River. From there Sherburne County Area United Way plans on bringing iEmpower to all of the schools in our service area, which includes the Princeton school district, Elk River school district and the Big Lake school district. Sherburne County Area United Way is honored to have had the support of our Women’s Leadership Council, Target, Coldwell Banker Vision and Metal Craft to help make iEmpower possible this spring.
