STRIVING FOR EXCELLENCE
AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM

The Valley Community Association "Striving For Excellence" Youth Program offers the following activities and programs for youth in Grades K-12.
 
The After School component of the program offers different activities every day for the participating youth.  The program runs Monday through Friday from 2:30pm-5:30pm.  Every 45 minutes the children switch to a different activity, but always have Homework Help every day. 

Listed below is a description of the other activities:
 
Homework Help - Children receive help and assistance with all of their homework from school - Math, Science, English Language Arts, Social Studies, Spanish, and everything else in between!  Eighty percent of the after school staff are either certified teachers or college education majors. 
 
Computer Instruction - Skills learned in school are reinforced with fun computer games!  Reading, Math, and Spelling programs build upon what is taught in school.  Programs also teach problem solving skills and strategy.  A Computer Instructor tracks each child's progress and helps them in the areas where they need assistance.
 
Physical Education - One of the most popular activities of the after school program!  Kids participate in a variety of age and developmentally appropriate games and activities including dodgeball, softball, soccer, hockey, bowling, kickball, football, and others.
 
Nature Ed-Ventures Science Program - A hands-on exploration of all things science!  Instructors are specially trained in teaching science and relating it to New York State Learning Standards in Science, Math, and English Language Arts.  Kids learn about animals, nature, simple machines, the environment, and other science related topics.  The Valley Nature Park & Habitat Trail, located behind the Valley Center, is used as an "outdoor living classroom".
 
Art Class - All of the kids get a chance to show their artistic talents in art class.  Taught by a New York State Certified Art Teacher, the kids create art using different mediums, styles, materials, and techniques.
 
Community Service Projects - An important part of the program, kids learn the importance of giving back to the community through various community service projects.  Projects include neighborhood clean-ups, Valley Center clean-ups, Youth and Senior Citizen events such as dinners and socials, making "sunshine" and get well cards, holding car washes with the proceeds going towards the charity of the kids choice, visits to the Buffalo Animal Shelter to help with feeding and walking the animals, and various other projects.
 
Prevention Workshops & Trainings - Workshops and trainings are conducted that address the important issues of drug and alcohol abuse, tobacco use, self-esteem, body image, character development, life skills trainings, and other age appropriate topics.  Outside agencies come and present and the Valley Center also has a professional prevention specialist on staff who conducts weekly sessions with the youth.
 
Family Events - Various family social events are held throughout the year so that youth, their families, and VCA staff can interact in a fun, social setting.  Events include a Back To School Pizza Party, Halloween Haunted Hay Ride, Family Thanksgiving Dinner, Holiday Party, Youth Talent Show & Dinner, and End of the Year Awards Picnic.
 
Group & Individual Counseling - Both group and individual counseling sessions are offered, with an MSW Social Worker on staff at the VCA.  Group counseling addresses important issues such as self-esteem, goal setting, alcohol and drug abuse, and other topics the youth express interest in.  Individual counseling is offered for those who may need a little extra help getting through events in their lives. 
 
Field Trips - Field Trip Days are fun days with trips all over Western New York!  Trips include Niagara Falls, the Aquarium of Niagara, the movies, Bisons Games, roller skating at Spinners Family Skate, the Buffalo Zoo, bowling, sledding, and other exciting places to visit!
 
One on One Science Mentoring - A collaboration with First Hand Learning, youth are paired up with a science mentor in a one on one setting.  The pairs explore any science related question the youth may have - after asking the question, an experiment is devised to obtain the answer!
 
 
 
Other activities are also a part of the "Striving For Excellence" Youth Program:
 
High School & College Assistance - Seventh and eighth grade students and their parents can get assistance in learning about potential scholarships for private high schools or help with the selection of, and entrance into, public high schools.  Eleventh and twelfth graders and their parents receive counseling on higher education options including college and vocational schools and assistance in completing needed college forms (such as the FAFSA) and entrance applications and essays.
 
Girls, Boys, & Teen Club - The Clubs are "social clubs" that are held after the after school program.  The Girls, Boys, & Teen Clubs all meet on different days of the week, with each group doing different activities such as watching movies, arts & crafts, exploring the Valley Nature Park & Habitat Trail, field trips, and more.
 
Night Recreation - Various night-time recreation leagues and tournaments are scheduled Tuesdays through Saturdays after 5:30pm.  Leagues include basketball, floor hockey, volleyball, soccer, softball, and more.  In addition "open gym" times are scheduled for youth to pick whatever they want to play.
 
Summer Programming - A variety of summer programming is offered from the end of June to the beginning of September, including a day time Summer Day Camp (see Child Care - Summer Day Camp) and "Prime Time" - an afternoon/night program for older youth.

UWBEC

Valley Community Association
93 Leddy Street
Buffalo, NY 14210
Phone: (716) 823-4707
Fax: (716) 823-4254