Willkie House, Inc.

ACADEMICS, SOCIAL SKILL BUILDING, HEALTH & RECREATION

Quality is the common denominator that guides all of the Willkie House programming.  It is our belief that all programming be evidence-based, age appropriate, culturally sensitive, and result in outcomes.  Programming has been developed around concepts proven effective through research to ensure participant learning by implementing auditory, visual, and kinesthetic approaches to accommodate the differing learning styles of the participants.  Brief descriptions of our programs are as follows:

 After School Program

There have been numerous studies and reports that indicate that students of color produce lower academic scores in most subject areas than their counterparts.  With this view, the Willkie House has established an After School Program in cooperation with the local school district to provide academic instruction and assistance to these participants in a structured, individualized, and fun manner.  Participants are transported to the center from their various schools, served a nutritious snack, separated into grade level groupings and assisted by instructors on their homework and other learning activities.  Upon completion of class work, participants are directed in structured recreational or artistic craft activities.  Willkie House staff meets regularly with participant's teachers and parents to assess the academic performance as well as the participant overall development and well being. 

Children served in this program are between the ages of 5-18, and sixty (60) children are served daily.  The hours of the program are from 3:00-6:45, Monday through Friday.  The participant cost of the program is $30.00 per week.  The utilization of a sliding fee scale is in place for those families who yet have difficulty meeting the financial obligation.

Summer Day Camp

Get Ahead with Math

Get Ahead with Math is a CD-ROM curriculum that provides individualized, grade specific math program that allows the participant to work at their pace, while gaining or improving the necessary mathematic skills which will result in the classroom.  The program utilized at the Willkie House targets grades 3-12.

Leading Ladies

Willkie House offers a gender-specific project for teen girls, ages 13-19, called "Leading Ladies".  While the program differs based on the differing social skill needs of young girls, some of the common topics of the curriculum include: effective communication, decision making, refusal, goal setting, and media literacy skill building, asset development, and information about the consequences of sexual activity, including sexually transmitted diseases and unwanted pregnancies.  Role play and engagement with adult female mentors are critical components to the success of this project.

Parents as Teachers (PAT)

Parents as Teachers is an overarching program whose philosophy is to provide parents with child development knowledge and parenting support.  This science-based program is in direct alignment with both United Way's Community Impact agenda, and Willkie House's mission, values, and vision statement.  As a youth serving organization, Willkie House is committed to assisting parents as they face the challenging issues of childrearing.

Parent Advisory Council (PAC)

The PAC is an advisory council consisting of 3-5 parents whose children are participants in Willkie House programming.  The purpose of this body is to serve as a liaison between the organization and other parents.  The group has been and continues to integral in leading the direction of programming, chaperoning program events and activities, and serving as representatives of the organization at other community coalition events.

ELI Project

Funded through the United Way's Emerging Leaders Initiative, the Willkie House ELI Project is one designed to provide remedial learning supports to 50 targeted 7th graders within the Central Des Moines community.  The ELI Project consists of individualized and small group learning supports that utilizing approaches that best suit the student's learning style.  Specific attention will also be directed in building the student's social skill competencies.  The project will include opportunities for the participants to access other Willkie House programming as well, along with participation in collaborative substance abuse prevention programming offered by Employee & Family Resources and creative arts programming offered by Partners Unlimited.

Male Responsibility Project (MRP)

The Male Responsibility Project is designed to assist young males in making appropriate behavioral changes in the understanding of the consequences of unhealthy sexual behaviors, and unplanned pregnancies.  Participation affords the men the opportunities to build the skills and competencies necessary to avoid those consequences.  The project is delivered in a comprehensive, interactive manner that involves: education, skill development, role-play, speakers, refreshments, recreation, case-management, peer education, and mentoring, and other activities that demonstrated and reinforce the principal goals and objectives for the project.  Young males are required to complete a 12-session education program with a 1-year commitment to case-management.

Recreational Activities