First Ward Community Service

Basic subsistence programs are instrumental in providing people of all ages with basic needs through educational health and nutritional classes, and serving over 10,000 hot nutritional meals in our Community soup kitchen, senior citizens center and kids cafe, as well as a distribution site for surplus food in collaboration with the local food banks. Basic needs assistance is further enhanced through the emergency assistance programs designed to help families pay their utility bills, rent and mortgages.

Family support and education for youth in k-12th grade provides weekly life skills(boys scout and girl scouts) training, character education, drug and violence prevention education, career exploration, recreation, arts, academic support and Community Service. This program guides and supports youth in becoming responsible adults. A countywide youth development after-school and summer program whose goal it is to enhance and expand the number and variety of programs serving youth in k-12th grade and increase the number of youth who do not have access to positive opportunities in safe environments. Lacer provides a comprehensive approach to after-school learning. Literacy arts cultural enrichment and recreation (lacer) students select between a multitude of offerings from the five categories of lacer. Literacy: homework assistance, tutoring with a focus on science technology engineering and mathematics (stem), read program, and other academic activities that engage and enhance learning. Arts: fine arts, performance arts, creative writing, and creative designs. Cultural: multicultural, cross-cultural & intercultural games, activities, field trips and special events. Enrichment: life skills, leadership development, evidence-based character and prevention education. Recreation: organized sports, physical activity, field trips, sports camps, and mhsaa official training. Hire (helping individuals reach excellence), goal is creating successful student leaders through intense engagement in academic preparedness, exposure to stem careers, college tours and employer visits. Youth work towards strengthening their soft skills, interviewing skills, and leadership development.

Substance abuse prevention program is a model in which 80% of program youth maintained a zero tolerance for alcohol, tobacco and other drugs (atod). Youth attained the ability to recognize and evaluate the dangers of substance abuse on their health, stability, social and academic performance. Program youth gain awareness of the connection of substance abuse involvement and conflicts with law enforcement.