MISSION and RESULTS

Our mission is to provide youth in our region with educational enrichment, citizenship training, and positive recreational activities, all in a safe environment which focuses them toward positive, healthy lifestyles and leads them to become responsible, contributing adults.

Neighbors For Kids currently sponsors six key programs designed to enrich the lives of children from Newport to Lincoln City: Kids Zone Afterschool Program, USDA Food Program, Academic Excellence & Achievement Program, Teen Development Program, Music Lessons and Rowing Club. NFK also administers the Ronald Austin Nissen Memorial Scholarship Fund. NFK produces measurable outcomes each year with the income generated through grants, community donations and community fundraisers.

Below is a list of a few significant NFK accomplishments from January – October 2011:

• Kids Zone Afterschool Program served an average of 35-40 children per day for 31 weeks, providing 465 hours of positive after-school enrichment classes and activities. A total of 152 children are registered Kids Zone members.
• Summer Program served children for 9 weeks, providing 198 hours of summer session classes and activities.
• USDA Food Program – 4,343 nutritious suppers served to children after school. 1,303 healthy lunches and 1,006 afternoon snacks served in the summer months.
• 310 hours of professional academic tutoring in reading and math, plus ongoing homework assistance - showing significant improvements in student’s test scores, grades on report cards and increased self-esteem.
• 279 hours of music lessons taught to students in grades 1-12.

The KIDS ZONE AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAM

The Kids Zone is one of the most unique after-school enrichment programs in the nation. We serve children from the Lincoln County School District in grades K-12. Our programs include free USDA meals for all participants (a full supper during the school year and snack + lunch during the summer).

The Kids Zone's classes and activities are taught and supervised by caring staff and adult volunteers. Kids Zone youth learn about important subjects such as reading, math, culture, conflict resolution and peace-making, environmental preservation, health and nutrition and more. Children also participate in arts and crafts projects, take music lessons, get help with homework, play games and sports. The Kids Zone often goes on learning-based field trips or takes part in community service projects.

The Kids Zone program provides a structured, safe and dynamic learning environment…most of all - Kids Zone offers a respectful environment where children and adults care about each other. Adopt This Program

USDA FOOD PROGRAM

NFK’s Kids Zone is a sponsor of this daily meal program administered by the Oregon Department of Education. In the school year all participants receive a professionally prepared and free, nutritious supper during the Child & Adult Care Food Program (CACFP). In the summer months, all participants receive a free lunch and afternoon snack as part of the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP). Children need a variety of nutrient-rich foods during their critical years of development and the USDA Food Program provides this. Adopt This Program

Programs: ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE & ACHIEVEMENT PROGRAM (AXAP)

Free tutoring and academic support are two key services we provide to the children. Students are taught important skills by caring, professional educators. Tutoring primarily focuses on reading and math, after each student has received a comprehensive diagnostic assessment. Other local volunteers spend time after school tutoring middle and high school students in various subjects. Adopt This Program

Programs: MUSIC LESSONS

Piano, guitar and voice lessons are provided to youth who are interested. Our teacher and volunteers have many years' experience working with both kids and adults. It's amazing how much self confidence and self esteem is created as kids learn and master music skills. Each year we have a recital so our participants can showcase their growing skills! Adopt This Program

Programs: ROWING CLUB

The "Killer Whales" Rowing Club teaches kids the basics of small boat handling, water safety, team building, boat construction and maintenance. The club now owns a fleet of ten wooden row boats and six kayaks. And, of course, it’s a great opportunity for having lots of fun in small boats and taking advantage of the close proximity of Depoe Bay Harbor. Adopt This Program

NISSEN SCHOLARSHIP

The Ronald Austin Nissen Memorial Scholarship Fund was established in June 2005 by Mary Nissen in order to provide financial aid to Depoe Bay children to continue their post-high school studies. Neighbors For Kids, with Mary’s guidance, administers this exciting offering for the youth of Depoe Bay. Adopt This Program

Youth Entrepreneurship Program

In partnership with Oregon Coast Community College, during the 2010-2011 school year students in grades 7-12 attended this professional business development class twice weekly. The class was taught using the nationally recognized Network For Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE) curriculum. The objective of these classes is to help students achieve greater academic, personal, professional and financial success, with the ultimate goal of developing a full business plan and launching a new business by each summer. NFK hopes to offer this class again in 2012. Also see: Oregon Coast CC & Small Business Development Center Adopt This Program

TEEN DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM

The NFK facility now has a designated Teen Center classroom for grades 7-12. Middle school and high school students can receive academic tutoring and homework assistance. They can participate in classes which teach computer information technology, career development & life skills, college preparation and youth entrepreneurship. As this new program is developed it will also focus on responsible decision-making, teen pregnancy prevention and drug/alcohol prevention. Adopt This Program

See our Seismograph here.