What We Do
Our Issue
Children Experiencing Financial and Housing Instability
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Reach For the Stars strives to break the cycle of poverty by providing children ages 5-12 with after school and summer programs which contain activities that have been clinically proven to combat the negative effects poverty has on health, education and emotions, ensuring they have all tools necessary to break the cycle.
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RFTS aims to reduce the risk of obesity, diabetes and asthma by providing children with access to healthy nutrient rich food and exercise opportunities. This works hand in hand with our efforts to decrease the physical impacts of toxic stress through yoga, meditation and use of sensory toys.
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RFTS sessions also assist in increasing academic performance in reading and writing. We provide a variety specialized tutoring and mentoring programs
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RFTS also harnesses the power of “kids helping kids” by allowing high-school volunteers to run every session and serve on our leadership team. The volunteers also serve as positive role models for the children through individualized mentoring and tutoring.
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According to numerous child psychology studies, children are the most impressionable from the ages of 5-12. If intervention is not provided during these formative years, the negative effects, of poverty: physical health concerns, academic struggles and behavioral challenges can take over a child's life and prevent them from breaking the cycle.
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If intervention is not provided, poverty in one’s childhood can lead to significant challenges later in life. According to PBS, 95% of adults in America who experienced poverty as children were still poor at ages 20-25.
How we Help
School-year and Summer Programs
Our Results
RFTS receives outstanding feedback from participating families, children, and high school volunteers! Parents rave about the valuable life skills and self confidence their children have gained from the program. One parent writing in a survey “you have motivated my son”. Many of our high-school volunteers find their time spent at RFTS to be “rewarding” and “enlightening”!
Students taking home a book of their choice to promote reading at home. Books were donated by Old Town Books and Hooray for Books.
A yoga session, led by one of our highschool volunteers. Yoga is intended to reduce stress levels.
Playing with sensory toys such as blocks, fidget toys and legos to help ease stress & anxiety!
A small group reading session to encourage academic success.
A soccer game to promote teamwork, relieve stress and encourage exercise.
Arts and crafts to help relieve stress and encourage creativity.