After a preliminary semester of intensive planning and organization, the AmeriCorps * VISTA “Tweens & Teens / Pizza for Parents” project took shape in spring 2006. The Southside project, which focuses on strengthening parents’ ability to support their children’s educational success, formed a core group of four families. All participated in "Bridges Out of Poverty,” a four-week parenting skills workshop facilitated by Penn State Extension Educator Denise Continenza.

Six Service Learning students (see photo below) from the classrooms of Elizabeth Bodien, Vasiliki Anastasakosos, and Sharon-Lee Bond contributed to the success of the project by providing childcare, support for families, and participation in the project’s evaluative process. Students also attending the Mayor's Southside Task Force meetings and pitched in at Southside Clean-Up Day.

I am delighted to report that the project has been approved to continue through the 2006 / 2007 academic year. We will continue seeking partnerships with schools and family centers within the Bethlehem Area School District. In August, I will end my term of service in the project. Interviewing and recruiting for a new AmeriCorps*VISTA volunteer is in the works!

For more information on the “Tweens & ‘Teens” project, please contact me at jball@northampton.edu or 610-861-5139.