CASA program students share learning with families
Students and families gathered at Marguerite Maze Middle School
for the Collaborative After School Academy de Milagros (CASA), open
house Feb. 7.
CASA program students share learning with families
Students and families gathered at Marguerite Maze Middle School for the Collaborative After School Academy de Milagros (CASA), open house Feb. 7.
After a few short speeches by staff members that run the program, students read a Buddhist tale about nonviolence set to music. Nonviolence was the theme of the event.
The piece is typical of an enrichment lesson at CASA’s literacy program.
The open house gave family members an opportunity to experience what kids learn at CASA.
Students showed off their work for friends and family. Students visiting from other CASA sites were on hand to answer any questions and display their work. From 2:30 p.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday, four schools feature CASA: Calaveras School, Marguerite Maze Middle School, Rancho San Justo Middle School and R.O. Hardin School, said Emiliano Valdez, the enrichment coordinator and site coordinator for Hollister Youth Alliance, the nonprofit that runs CASA.
Funded by grants and donations, CASA is free. There is open enrollment at the beginning of the year, said Zenedith Espinoza, site coordinator for Hollister Youth Alliance.
“At most schools there’s a waiting list,” she said.
The program serves between 90 and 100 students at each school site, Valdez said, in grades first through eighth.
At CASA, kids receive help with homework, play sports, do art projects and participate in a drama and literacy program, Valdez said.
Janai Patino, 12, is a first-time participant in the program. She enjoys the drama component, she said.
“I like how people really act it out,” Janai said. “It looks like they’re a real person – not just acting.”
Her favorite part of the program is finishing all her homework.
“I just want to get it done,” Janai said. “When I get home, I get to have some fun.”
Although the program is in its third year, the drama component is new, Valdez said. Staff use drama to help kids with reading proficiency, Valdez said.
“It’s disguised learning,” Valdez said.
Rather than act, Janai’s brother Sergio, 14, prefers playing softball.
“We’re not very good at it, but we just have fun,” Sergio said.
CASA gives students a safe place after school to play and learn, said Espinoza.
Without the afterschool program, many of the students would go home to empty houses, she said.
“It’s a dangerous time for our kids,” Espinoza said, of the afterschool hours.
Hollister Youth Alliance also runs Club CASA, a drop-in afterschool program at two apartment complexes in Hollister, Villa Luna Apartments and Rancho Park Apartments.
Club CASA serves between 40 and 50 students each, said Diane Ortiz, the executive director of Hollister Youth Alliance.
The program is from 3-5 p.m. Monday through Thursday, Ortiz said.
As there is a wider age range, the program is less structured, she said. Students receive help with homework.
The program staff can always use donations. Staff from Hollister Youth Alliance are accepting donations of old digital cameras, Espinoza said.
Students at the school sites are working on digital documentaries, Ortiz said.
“They’re starting already but they’re using one camera,” Ortiz said. “It would be really helpful if we could at least get one per site.”
Staff are also seeking donations that include art supplies and snacks, Espinoza said.
