The National At-Risk Education Network

NAREN Grants

Feature: The Macha, Zambia School

One of NAREN's goals is to create an International Council of At-Risk Education. As a means of officially kicking that effort off, NAREN recently donated an IBM laptop and a 160 gigabyte external hard drive to the students of a small innovative school in the bush of Macha, Zambia. The school is two hours from a paved road and five hours from a major city. The computer and extra hard drive was donated so that the children could accomplish their heart's desire: creating movies and photographic journals. NAREN is a non-sectarian organization and does not support specific religions or only support non-sectarian educational efforts. We support educators who care about children facing an uphill struggle to get an education, attain the career of their choosing, and a successful life. NAREN admires the spirit of Gil and Ronda Krause, two Americans who have made many sacrifices to enhance children's lives in Zambia.

Teachers: Deb Hammes (Reading Specialist) Beverly (Library & Activities) Anistasia (Kindergarten) Mr. Chanda (2nd grade) Mr. Banji (3rd grade) Mrs. Sakala (Head Teacher)

Grade 3 Students: Chileleko (in blue) Margret (tall girl in red) Mutinta (in blue) Merel (blond white girl) Malawo (yellow sweater) Beauty (sitting) Nchumunia (pink sweater) Mr. Banji (3rd grade teacher) (others in picture are too hidden to identify)

Gil & Ronda Krause

Fall NAREN Grant Winner: Empower Academy

NAREN began the online career prep program — The National Success Academy — as a means for creating a fast start towards excellence in job preparation for those students not going to college immediately upon graduation.

Our Fall 2008 Grant goes to The Empower Academy in Brookfield, Wisconsin. Debbie Newbauer, long-time NAREN Associate, is the Grant Administrator for the Empower Academy, established to assist 11th and 12th grade at-risk students explore career opportunities. This particular part of their program focuses on supporting students in investigating their interests, strengths and weaknesses as a means of assessing career opportunities. After this assessment, with guidance counselors and guest presenters donating their time and mileage expenses, students will be transported to post-secondary education facilities, including Milwaukee Area Technical College, to learn about what programming is available, visiting classes in session, and to determine what needs to be done to prepare students prior to enrolling.

Post-secondary presenters will also come to the Empower program to speak with the approximately 50 students. Money permitting, there is intention for including a neighboring alternative program, the Menomonee Falls Quest Program, to participate when possible. The Quest Program serves approximately 30 students.

A big note of appreciation, as well as a check, goes out to Debbie for her fine work at CESA #1 on behalf of students at‑risk!

Members (not all were present) of the Empower Academy:
The left-front row is Ms. Laura Gunnell
The right-front row is Mrs. Diane Gariepy
The right-back row is Mrs. Debbie Newbauer
And the Center-holding check is Mrs. Jennifer Manzano
(student names withheld)

NAREN Grants for Program Support

DEADLINES for Applying: February 15 and October 15

NAREN announces the availability of two $250 grants to deserving educational programs for at-risk youth. The grant is a needs-based grant, meaning that the monies cannot be used for decorative or non-programmatic concerns. Supplies, equipment, field-trip expenses, paying for resource people to come into the school to work with students, curricular materials are all viable categories of expenditures.

Eligibility Requirements

1. The program for which funds are requested must be strictly for at-risk youth, and not a program receiving special education funding.
2. The applying educator must be a NAREN associate, and willing to be accountable and responsible for the application of the grant and the expenditures.
3. Monies must be spent according to the proposal.
4. Receipts (originals) for expenditures must be submitted to NAREN within 365 days of the funds being granted.

Application Procedures

1. Submit a letter of application describing the need — 3 pages maximum!
2. Clearly describe how the funds will be spent to help meet that need.
3. The letter must be signed by the NAREN associate.
4. The letter must also be signed by the building administrator responsible for the program.
5. Clearly provide the Name of the program, its Address, what grade level is served, and how many students are in the program.
6. Provide the name, address, phone number, and e-dress of the NAREN associate in charge of the grant.
7. Mail application before February 15 and October 15.
8. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope.
9. Mail application letter to:

   National At-Risk Education Network
   Grant Application for Program Support
   PO Box 463
   Fond du Lac WI 54936-0453

Failure to fulfill any of the above requirements will disqualify the applicant.

$250 grants will be awarded on March 15 and on November 15 of each year. You will be notified either way.