Community Conversation engages public to improve programs for kids
A recent survey of parents in Kansas City, Kan., revealed that only one in four students participate in out-of-school enrichment programs. While more than 99 percent of parents thought such programs were important, their children were unable to take part because of obstacles like lack of transportation and inability to pay.
In an effort to address the parents’ concerns, several organizations teamed up to host a Community Conversation in Wyandotte County on Sept. 29 at the Kansas City Kansas Community College. The Community Conversation brought together parents, nonprofits, schools, businesses and students to discuss creating safe, engaging and enriching camps and out-of-school programs for kids.
“We tried specifically to invite people who tend to be less involved and represent diversity,” said Marcia Dvorak, project director for the Kansas Enrichment Network, one of the planning organizations. “We wanted people to express their own points of view as opposed to those representing some larger group.”
Out-of-school and summer programs serve many purposes and are associated with numerous positive outcomes for children, including improvements in their personal, social and academic skills.
“Young people today are living in a rapidly changing world in which more jobs will require a solid background in math and science and strong 21st Century Skills such as communication, teamwork, leadership and critical thinking,” said Dvorak. “Whether they plan to enter the workforce, get job training or attend college, students will need these skills in order to succeed in life. Unfortunately, too many students are falling through the cracks.”
In fact, recent reports show that nearly half of recent high graduates say that they don’t have the skills they need to succeed, both in college or the workplace. Moreover, employers rate high school graduates deficient in writing, math, professionalism/work ethic and problem-solving/critical thinking.
“These reports suggest that we are not doing a good enough job of educating and preparing our kids for the world they will face after high school,” Dvorak said. “Out-of-school programs can bridge this gap, if students are able to participate.
“Hosting a Community Conversation allowed us to guide discussion about the types of positive, out-of-school activities people want in Wyandotte County and allowed us to work together to generate ideas to improve opportunities for young people.”
The Community Conversation model was developed by Public Agenda, one of the organizations involved in sponsoring the Wyandotte County event. The Wyandotte County Community Conversation was one of several hosted by Public Agenda and was made possible by support from the Kauffman Foundation.
Public Agenda is a New York-based non-profit, nonpartisan organization that provides citizens and leaders with tools to tackle fundamental social problems through public engagement. Community Conversations facilitate public engagement, which is a process that brings people together to address issues of common importance, solve shared problems and bring about positive social change.
“Effective public engagement, like a Community Conversation, invites average citizens to get involved in deliberation, dialogue and action on public issues that they care about,” said Alison Kadlec, vice president and director of the Center for Advances in Public Engagement at Public Agenda. “It is essential to involve a broad-based coalition in order to reach diverse sectors of a community and have a greater impact on public life.”
In addition to the Kansas Enrichment Network and Public Agenda, the other event sponsors included the United Way of Wyandotte County, Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas and the Kansas City Kansas Area Chamber of Commerce.
