According to the New Jersey Department of Education’s 2016- 2017 School Performance Summary Report and The Advocates for Children of New Jersey
90%
of Trenton’s public school students do NOT meet Math State Standards
36%
of high school students are chronically absent, missing more than 10% of school days per year
90%
of Trenton’s public school students are NOT college ready
Black and Brown girls face further barriers as they navigate the intersection of racism and sexism. They experience a high rate of interpersonal violence; feel less safe at over-policed schools; may resort to ‘acting out’ when their counseling needs are disregarded; and receive disproportionate punitive punishment (Crenshaw).
Our Activities
Theory of Change
Find out how HomeWorks is changing the world, one girl at a time.
Our Challenge
Racism has evolved from slavery into other forms of violence and governmental policies that continually defund public housing, underfund educational institutions, cut food assistance, and legitimize mass incarceration. This is evident in our community Trenton, New Jersey:
1
5 1/2 DAY PROGRAM, DORM, AND SUPPORT
HomeWorks provides our scholars with a safe residential environment, daily transportation to school, and programming focused on academics, cultural life skills, women empowerment, and civic engagement.
2
RESEARCHED PROGRAMMING
HomeWorks’ staff members, professional program volunteers, tutors, and counselors create a unique space for scholars to improve their academics, explore their personal experiences, and have fun!
3
BUILDING A COMMUNITY
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Our core values of community, empathy, and intentionality help create a space where scholars foster deep connections, inviting them to find sisterhood, practice vulnerability, and grow together.
Our Outcomes
Improved Leadership Skills
HomeWorks Trenton encourages collaboration between the scholars and their community to ensure they develop leadership skills by engaging and motivating them.
Self-Esteem
Life skills workshops give scholars cultural literacy, dealing with sexism, racism, colorism, self-confidence, self-love, and bullying.
Improved Academic Success
HomeWorks Trenton has reduced rates of chronic absenteeism to 0%, enabling success at school through ensuring scholars are maximizing their time at school.
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Social-Emotional Skills
Life skills workshops seek to target social and emotional skills, along with facilitating interaction between the scholars. The social-emotional survey intends to track scholar development.
Long-Term Outcomes
Improved Sense of Identity
"Increases in self-efficacy increases the number of leadership opportunities women pursue. Individuals with high self-esteem are more likely to pursue leadership positions" (Issac et al. 2012).
Increased Community Engagement
"Consistent attendance rates increase math and reading achievement outcomes, increase educational engagement, and increase social engagement"
(Gottfried 2014).
Economic
Empowerment
"A study of 20 racially/ethnically diverse schools proved that social emotional and character development programs can positively influence school-level achievement, attendance, and disciplinary outcomes" (Snyder et al. 2009).
Leads to:
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GRASSROOTS, PEOPLE-DRIVEN SYSTEMIC CHANGE
"When Black adolescents join a pro social community based organization they develop a more adaptive identity, which they can use to actively address injustices" (Brittian, 2012).