Fostering Teamwork Builds Excitement for Martin County Afterschool Programs
The Martin County Out-of-school Time Quality Improvement Initiative supports out-of-school time (OST) programs, funded by the Children's Services Council of Martin County with ongoing quality coaching, onsite training, mentoring of youth development strategies and professional development.
Prime Time called on Martin County afterschool professionals in February to attend a morning of professional development with hopes that each attendee would leave feeling empowered to make a greater impact on the children back at their programs. Each professional came to learn more about how to foster teamwork so they could create spaces for young people to collaborate in work, play and learning. This Prime Time training offers the tools needed to enable young people to interact with others, appreciate others’ opinions and experiences, and enhance personal perspectives, goals and projects. These skills are essential and common in “real world” work situations.
Jennifer Lozano, Program Specialist with the Boys & Girls Club of Martin County Bill & Barbara Whitman Club, summarizes the training she experienced.
“I recently attended my first Prime Time training, and it was an eye-opening experience. Throughout the session, I learned various strategies to enhance our programming at the Boys and Girls Club. One key takeaway was the importance of designing activities that engage all members, ensuring that no one feels left out. The team-building games introduced during the training have proven to be fantastic icebreakers, fostering a sense of camaraderie among the kids. Implementing attention grabbers has been particularly effective in maintaining focus during activities, keeping the energy levels high.
Additionally, keeping an open mind about activities has led to more varied and exciting programming sessions, which have been well-received by the members. Empowering members to take on leadership roles has been rewarding not only for their development but also for fostering a sense of ownership and responsibility within the club. Understanding the importance of meeting kids at eye level has helped create a safer and more comfortable environment for them to express themselves freely. Overall, the training has provided valuable insights that have already begun to positively impact our programming at the Boys and Girls Club.”
The Martin County Out-of-school Time Quality Improvement Initiative supports out-of-school time (OST) programs, funded by the Children's Services Council of Martin County with ongoing quality coaching, onsite training, mentoring of youth development strategies and professional development.
