Foundation Beneficiary Spotlight: Greater San Jose After-School All-Stars
Wednesday, 08.02.2006 / 3:47 PM
/ Sharks Foundation
San Jose Sharks
PrintIt’s hard enough to score on a goalie in hockey but what about when that goalie is a huge shark… S.J. Sharkie to be exact?
The students in the Greater San Jose After-School All-Star program at Burnett Academy got to take their best shot against the beloved mascot when he and board members for The Sharks Foundation presented the organization with a grant for $20,000.
“The San Jose Sharks recognize the need to be leaders on and off the ice [and] have definitely set the example on how an organization can impact children. The Sharks have had a tremendous impact on our organization,” said John Poch, Executive Director, “From the office personnel, to the players and coaching staff, to SVSE staff, they have always treated us in a first-class manner. It is pretty clear to our organization as to why the team is a success.”
The mission of ASAS is to provide comprehensive out-of-school programs that keep children safe and help them achieve success in school and life. The Sharks Foundation funding benefits their Middle School Sports League in San Jose, which includes various sports clinics and competitions, as well as after-school Homework Centers and opportunities for family involvement. Students receive recreational opportunities and academic support while gaining social development and positive relationships with supportive adults.
“Providing activities to keep youth away from at-risk behavior isn’t enough,” said Laura Johnston, Sharks Foundation Manager, “To achieve true success, you must also help build their skills and confidence so they will continue to make smart decisions throughout their lives. The Sharks Foundation is proud to partner with the Greater San Jose After-School All-Stars, an organization that does just that.”
The program serves more than 1,000 youth at eight different San Jose middle school sites each year. It takes place on each school site for two-three hours each day and runs for four 8-week cycles. Homework Centers are a mandatory daily component and specific educational programs include Computer Camps, Literacy (Journalism), Science (Tech Challenge), Mathematics and English as a Second Language (Writing Skills Workshops). After-School All-Stars also encourages family involvement by hosting Thanksgiving dinners, Intergenerational Tech-Centers, tailgates and camping trips.
For those Sharks fans interested in Greater San Jose After-School All-Stars, there are several ways to get involved:
- assisting with the Homework Centers as a “Literacy Coach” reading to children
- working with our Middle School Sports League as scorekeepers or as a coach for a sport (soccer, football, basketball)
- making an in-kind donations in the form of tickets to events, books, school supplies (backpacks, pencils, binders) or office supplies
- making a monetary donation that can be used to address the greatest need at any given time
For more information on Greater San Jose After-School All-Stars, to volunteer or make a donation, please visit www.sjasas.org or contact John Macon, Associate Director, at 408-280-5302.
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