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September 29, 2006
Re: Safe Harbor
To Whom It May Concern:
Someone recently
asked me what Safe Harbor
meant to me. Safe
Harbor has become a vital and integral part of our daily lives. I am a single working mother of two children.
I feel very fortunate to have both of my children enrolled in the Safe
Harbor program.
My children attend Joy School. They attend the before and after school hours of the program. This
enables me to work full time in order to be able to support my family. In today’s
society, we have to worry about all the bad influences: drugs, gangs, and predators. Safe Harbor brings peace of mind, because I know that even though I’m not with them,
they are not being influenced by those types of things. The staff is superb! They are always very helpful, courteous, and friendly.
My children are very comfortable there and always look forward to going the next day.
Safe Harbor
provides all the children with a healthy afternoon snack. There is also designated
time for them to read and to do their homework, to which the staff provides assistance if and when necessary. Safe Harbor
has also introduced my children to new experiences and opportunities. They have
had: guests in to perform music on different kinds of instruments (that the kids
had the chance to try out for themselves), the high school chorus group, field trips to see the Christmas lights down at the
beach, the awesome experience of The Moving Wall, attending plays at the high school, participating in the Fourth of July
parade, and the Lubeznik Center for the Arts. This summer my children were enrolled
in the Summer Safe
Harbor program for the first time.
They had the opportunity to participate in the ‘Junior Rangers’ with the Dunes National Lakeshore. Upon hearing the description and reading about the ‘Junior Rangers’, I
wanted to become one myself.
The Safe Harbor program is just marvelous. It is a very well rounded supervised child care service for a very reasonable cost. Personally, I don’t know how I would be able to cope without this service being
available.
Respectfully,
Jodi K Ponder
September 28, 2006
To: Imagination Station
Re: Summer Adventure Camps
Dear Deb,
This past summer was nearly perfect as far as my sons, Michael and Ethan, were concerned. They told
me they "played" every day...but you and I know that they were learning crucial skills almost the entire time they were at
Imagination Station.
Michael's reading skills improved radically; he said he played computer games at the Joy School computer
lab, but I know that the games he played were really educational programs in literacy, math and more. His 1st Grade teacher
is very pleased with Michael's reading levels. He loved the Ropes Course, where he thought he was just playing with
the other children in his class. But I know that he was learning how to function as a team member, how to be both a leader
and a facilitator, and learning how to trust in others. Michael especially loved the swimming classes where he learned, in
a safe and fun environment, how to put his head under water, how to float and other water safety and swimming basics. He never
mentioned Professor Popcorn, but I know from my discussions with you...and from Michael's assertions as to what is healthy
food and what is not!...that he learned a great deal about nutrition over the summer. He told me about playing in the gym,
walking and running a course which had specific activities assigned for specific areas. I now know that this was Minds in
Motion, a program that helps children use both left and right brain activities. He loved the course...never realized that
this was an exercise to make curriculum tangible to the children.
Michael also talked about the music, rhythm and art projects at Imagination Station this summer.
He knew Edwin Shelton from the Lubeznik Center for the Arts through the Mainstreet Association's "Historic Downtown Treasure
Hunt" last spring. Mr. Shelton helped Michael and Ethan and lots of other children make pirate hats, eye patches and cardboard
swords.
Ethan was too young to be part of the Summer Adventure Camp this year, but he'll be eligible this
coming summer. He talked about making cupcakes for days!!Please put both of them on your list for the 2007 Summer Adventure
Camps. If you have scholarships available again, I'd certainly appreciate being on that list as well.
I just wanted you to know that my sons loved Imagination Station's Summer Adventure Camps, and that
I am greatly appreciative of the opportunity to have my children in such a safe, enjoyable, and educational environment while
I'm at work. As a single mom, knowing that they are safe and having fun is a blessing...but knowing they're being educated
at the same time is a wonderful bonus.
Thank you so much...and we'll see you next May!
Sincerely,
Jennifer Payne
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Student Testimonials from Edgewood Elementary Safe Harbor program
I am in fifth grade at Edgewood. I feel safe here at Safe
Harbor and my parents do not have to worry about me or my sister. I do
better on my report card, have fun at Rec, and like to help Mrs. Iuliano and Miss Erica in Homework. I have read to younger
children and like to be a helper.
I come to Safe Harbor
a lot. I like to go to Safe Harbor
because it is fun. I like to help in the library, play games at Rec and do fun things like art and computers. All the teachers
are nice. It makes me happy, and I want to come every day.
I come to Safe Harbor
all the time. It is fun, I get help with my homework, and it keeps me safe. Safe
Harbor is the best.
I am in third grade. I love Safe Harbor. I have been going for 3 years. I like art, computers, playing drums, and playing
with my friends. I also have time to do my homework and read my AR book everyday. That gives me time to play my piano when
I get home. Safe Harbor is a good place to go when moms and dads are working.
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Letter from teacher at Edgewood
My name is Tom Lasky. I am a fourth grade teacher at
Edgewood School. I am writing this letter to emphasize the importance of the Safe Harbor Program. This program has been a valuable part of students'
learning here at Edgewood.
In the Safe Harbor Program, I have seen improvements in my students' academic performance and, equally important, in
their social skills. It is my professional opinion that children learn through
exposure to proper student skills and social expectations, and that is exactly what the Safe Harbor Program provides. The Safe Harbor
staff here at Edgewood should be commended and allowed to continue this invaluable service
to our students.
Sincerely, Mr. Lasky
_________________________________________________________
As a single working mother with a daily commute to Chicago, I cannot express how profoundly grateful I am for the Safe Harbor Program at Edgewood.
Unlike a basic daycare, this multi dimensional program has provided a nurturing and supportive environment that serves my
son socially, academically, and emotionally. The home work program, run by Mrs. I and Miss Erica is a particularly impressive
part of the program.
Lisa and Erica provide guidance and structure, while helping build discipline vital to academic
success.
Each day I struggle with the challenge of building a life for my son and I. The Safe Harbor Staff
has given me a great gift in caring for my son as I would, challenging him and helping him grow in a safe and positive atmosphere.
With Sincere and deepest gratitude,
Shelly Spangle
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Dear Mr. Whitlow and Mrs. Engquist,
From the bottom of my heart I would like to thank you and the staff of the Boys
& Girls Club for all things you do to make life easier for single parents like myself. From the after school
program, summer program, tutoring, special activities that you do to help our children. I'm especially grateful for
the new shoes that the children were given. It was just in time for the start of the school year.
Keep up the great work!
Charisse Parker
_________________________________________________________
To try to sum up my child's many positive experiences through the Safe Harbor Program would be very
hard. I can tell you this though: the people involved in
this program really care about our children. They have taken
the time to help my daughter bring her failing grades in math up to an A. That
is not an easy task, but they have all come together to help her, and I have them to thank for building her confidence to
be able to do it!!!!!
Meredith Mashburn
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