Assistance League Of Southern Utah

OPERATION SCHOOL BELL: SIGNATURE PROGRAM PROVIDES LOW INCOME CHILDREN WITH NEW SCHOOL CLOTHES, SHOES, BOOK FOR VARIOUS READING PROGRAMS, AND VOLUNTEERS TO WORK ONE-ON-ONE WITH THE STUDENTS RESULTING IN POSITIVE OUTCOMES FOR KIDS. THEY FEEL MORE CONFIDENT, FIT IN WITH PEERS, AND PERFORM BETTER AT SCHOOL, INCREASING THE OPPORTUNITY TO BREAK THE CYCLE OF POVERTY. 20 SHOPPING EVENTS WERE HELD IN 2023-24 PROVIDING 700 CHILDREN WITH NEW CLOTHING AND/OR SHOES. EACH CHILD WAS ALSO OFFERED A DENTAL HYGIENE KIT AND A HAND-KNITTED CAP. CHILDREN SERVED RANGE FROM PRE-KINDERGARTEN THROUGH HIGH SCHOOL. LITERACY: A TOTAL OF 1,700 STUDENTS IN ELEMENTARY AND PRESCHOOL RECEIVED BOOKS. MEMBER VOLUNTEERS READ TO STUDENTS IN CLASSROOMS IN WASHINGTON COUNTY. ACTION WEEK: OUR ACTION WEEK COORDINATOR DELIVERED ART SUPPLIES TO ESCALANTE VALLEY ELEMANTARY IN BERYL, UT AND 57 PAINT SETS TO COTTONWOOD ELEMENTARY IN COLORADO CITY, AZ. COMMUNITY OUTREACH: WE DELIVERED PAPER GOODS NEEDED BY SWITCHPOINT SOUP KITCHEN IN ST. GEORGE, UT, A COMMUNITY RESOURCE CENTER OFFERING FREE HOT MEALS. THE PURPOSE OF THE PROGRAMS IS TO SHOW THAT CARING ADULTS IN THE COMMUNITY SUPPORT EACH CHILD'S EDUCATION; THAT GOING TO AND STAYING IN SCHOOL CAN PROVIDE A BRIGHTER FUTURE. RESEARCH SHOWS THAT CHILDREN IN POVERTY FACE A VARIETY OF CHALLENGES INCLUDING BULLYING AND FEELING ISOLATED. A POSITIVE ENVIRONMENT CREATES A FOUNDATION FOR DEVELOPING SOCIAL AND COGNITIVE SKILLS THAT CAN HELP LEVEL THE PLAYING FIELD AND BOOST PERFORMANCE AND SELF-ESTEEM THAT WILL LAST A LIFETIME. TEACHERS, COUNSELORS AND ADMINISTRATORS CONTINUE TO REPORT THAT THEY HAVE WITNESSED POSITIVE CHANGES IN CHILDREN WHO BENEFIT FROM THESE PROGRAMS. CLASSROOM BEHAVIOR AND PARTICIPATION IMPROVE, INTERACTION WITH PEERS IS MORE POSITIVE, AND SELF-CONFIDENCE IS EVIDENT.