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by Minister of Information JR Valrey
The East Oakland Youth Development Center, located on 83rd Avenue and International, is one of the youth centers that I used to play at when I was a youngsta and one of the first places where I was given a job in the community. Twenty-five years later, The Center is still providing a safe haven for East Oakland youth to learn and hang out, as well as it is still giving high schoolers and college students their first paid jobs.
There are approximately 10 open slots for the Bridge program, which is a free after-school program for middle school (sixth-eighth grade) youth that provides homework support, media-journalism, dance, basketball and more. Karina Hall, the Bridge Program manager, gives our readers an update on the opportunities that are available for young people at the East Oakland Youth Development Center. Tap in and pull up.
JR Valrey: Can you tell us about the Bridge Program that the EOYDC offers? And what does this program offer the students?
Karina Hall: The Bridge is a FREE after school enrichment program for middle school age youth. We provide homework support and daily lessons on a variety of topics – for example, financial literacy. Additionally, we offer our participants enrichment activities, which include double dutch, basketball, visual arts, computer tech, media (journalism), dance and wellness. We also have intentionally incorporated a strong community engagement piece into our program this year.
JR Valrey: How many students can the program hold? Is it filled to capacity?
Karina Hall: We have about 15 scholars currently enrolled in our program, and we are looking to enroll at least 10 more scholars.
JR Valrey: For the students who need help with their school work, is there a time during the program for students to get tutoring?
Karina Hall: Yes! We provide homework support, and we have designated staff members to assist them. We also have a designated Student Success Coordinator who supports our scholars’ academics by doing weekly check-ins as well as connecting with teachers and parents.
JR Valrey: What is the purpose and goal of the program?
Karina Hall: The goal of Bridge is to expose our scholars to different enrichment activities, to support their mental and emotional health and their academic achievement. Additionally, we have implemented a strong community engagement piece to our program this year, to increase our community relations and instill the importance of community in our scholars.
We provide homework support, and we have designated staff members to assist the students. We also have a designated Student Success Coordinator who supports our scholars’ academics by doing weekly check-ins as well as connecting with teachers and parents.
JR Valrey: Are there restrictions (age, residence etc.) on who is allowed in the programs?
Karina Hall: The Bridge Program is offered to all middle school-aged kids, sixth though the eighth grade. There are no residential or other restrictions.
JR Valrey: What are some of the enrichment classes offered, and what is expected of the young people on a daily basis?
Karina Hall: The enrichment activities we currently offer are media and journalism, visual arts, computer tech, wellness, basketball and double dutch.
JR Valrey: Are youth employment opportunities available at the EOYDC during the year?
Karina Hall: Yes! We hire Youth Leaders every year to support onsite programming. Youth Leaders are typically high school and college students (10th grade and up). They receive a monthly stipend and also participate in our Pathway to College (PTC) Program. Youth Leaders support our Bridge program as well as our After School Leadership Academy (ASLA) which is for children in grades K through fifth.
JR Valrey: How could people get more information?
Karina Hall: You can contact me at karina@eoydc.org or our front office, 510-569-8088.
JR Valrey, journalist, author, filmmaker and founder of Black New World Media, heads the SF Bay View’s Oakland Bureau. He can be reached at blockreportradio@gmail.com or on Facebook. Visit www.BlackNewWorldMedia.com to read more.
