Homework Helper Program at Patriots' Gateway Center
Patriot's Gateway Center is a 39,000 square foot community center
built in 1998 in southeast Rockford. Its' mission is to provide
life enriching opportunities for all, with an emphasis on youth.
The children in this region of the city are ethnically and socio-
economically diverse and the majority are extremely disadvantaged.
The center strives to provide a safe, positive experience for all
participants and to be a place of fun and learning.
Numerous community organizations have come together to offer programs
and much needed services in Patriot's Gateway Center. The Junior
League's commitment is to develop and establish a Homework Helper
program two days per week after school for children in grades K-8.
The Junior League will recruit and schedule volunteers; obtain the
necessary equipment; establish a training manual, tutorial orientation
packet, and student orientation packet; provide 100 disadvantaged
children with scholarship memberships to the center, and provide
a public awareness campaign. The established duration of the project
is three years. (1999-2002).
The Discovery Center
The Discovery Center is a "please touch" children's museum
that provides a participatory learning environment through its interactive
exhibits and programming. As the only museum of this type within
a 90 mile area, it is used extensively in the Rockford area schools
to promote learning experiences in the arts and sciences.
The Museum began in 1979 as a joint venture of the Junior League
and the Rockford Council for the Arts and Sciences. Discovery Center
incorporated as a not-for-profit museum in 1983 and transferred
the responsibility for its development to the Board of Directors.
Rock River Discover Park
Rock River Discovery Park is the first community-built science
park in the US. The Junior League of Rockford, the Rockford Park
District, and the Discovery Center were partners in this project
which is located directly adjacent to the Discovery Center.
The park exhibit areas were developed by a steering committee composed
of engineers, educators, parents, and students who worked under
the leadership of New York based architect Bob Leathers. Over 4,300
volunteers helped construct the park which was completed in June,
1991.
Exhibits include: Bridges, Caves, Kinetic Ball Sculpture, Distorted
Room, Maze and Mirrors, Navigation, Solar Tunnel, Newton's Cradle,
Earthquake Walk Friction Slide, Duck-In Kaleidoscope, Sound Walk,
Friction Slides, Balance Bridge, Pendulum and Sympathetic Swings,
Echo Tubes, Whisper Dishes, Telephone system and Transmission Tunes,
Water Area, and Weather Station.
In the May 1992 issue of Child Magazine, the Discovery Park was
featured as one of the "10 Best Playgrounds in America".
The Park also received the Heart of Rockford Award from River East
and Downtown, Inc. in recognition for the community volunteer work
and the impact the park has made on the downtown area. The park
also received the 1992 Golden Rule award from J.C. Penney Company.
The Domestic Violence Assistance Center
The Junior League of Rockford, along with W.A.V.E. and the 17th
Circuit Court organized the center to assist domestic violence victims
in obtaining orders of protection against abusive partners and to
educate them on breaking the cycle of violence. Originally, the
25% of the women who started the order of protection process carried
through with it. Since the center opened in June of 1998, this has
increased to 60%. Through the efforts of this center, Rockford will
become a safer community.
In addition to the Domestic Violence Assistance Center the Junior
League created the Domestic Violence Order of Protection Information
Line (398-Save). A recorded message will give the caller information
on the following: what to do in an emergency situation, information
about the Assistance Center, the specifics of obtaining an order
of protection and other agencies to contact for help.
Ken Rock Community Center
The Community Center is a project aimed at educating people in
health and wholesome use of leisure time, develop leadership within
the community, provide varied activities designed to fill the needs
of the total community and give opportunities for the development
of special skills and interests. This project also helps to curb
delinquency and develop character and morals through shared planning
and democratic action.
Past activities included community picnics, kit-flying contest,
ping pong tournament, soft ball program with over 500 players, music
program, Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Brownies, craft classes,
bible club, story hour group, young people's club, woman's club,
well baby clinic, kindergarten, and neighborhood groups.
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