8/2/2012 - West Side Leader
     

• DOWNTOWN AKRON — The Akron PeaceMakers, a youth volunteer group, will hold its fourth annual Teen Expo from 6 to 9 p.m. today, Aug. 2, at Lock 3 Park. Exhibitors will provide area youths with information on education, teen health, safety and volunteer opportunities in the Greater Akron area. There will be a disc jockey, photo booth, dancing, entertainment, gaming and obstacle courses. Local youth entertainment will include rock band The Independent and Akron vocalist Jasmine Moore. The event is free to middle and high school students and is open to all teens in Northeast Ohio. Along with music and prizes, there will be various sport activities, like the Adrenaline Rush Obstacle Course. Food will be available. Also, there is still time to become an Akron Peacemaker, as the group is seeking new members. Applications for the Aug. 7 PeaceMakers Orientation will be available at the expo. In 2011, members of the Peacemakers volunteered and participated in more 50 different community projects and provided 3,000 volunteer hours. For details, go to Akron PeaceMakers.org or call 330-365-2660 or 330-375-2712.

• DOWNTOWN AKRON — Project GRAD Akron is currently accepting applications from families of students entering kindergarten this fall at Crouse or Schumacher Community Learning Centers to register for the upcoming Bridge to Kindergarten Program, which will be held this year at Schumacher Community Learning Center, 1020 Hartford Ave. Bridge to Kindergarten is a literacy-based program that is designed to increase school readiness and parent involvement by preparing children for the transition to kindergarten and supporting them in the first year. The summer program will begin Aug. 6 and run for two weeks, ending Aug. 17, going from 8:15 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. daily. Breakfast and lunch will be served each day to students in the program. During the school year, the program will continue with educational workshops and family events to maintain the linkage and engagement with the school. The Bridge to Kindergarten Program is made available through a partnership between Project GRAD Akron, Kent State University’s Early Childhood Education Department and the Akron Public Schools. This year’s program has been funded by Akron Community Foundation’s Charles C. and Dorothea S. Dilley Fund. For details or to register for the program, contact Project GRAD Akron at 330-761-7952 or lliebelt@projectgradakron.org.

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