The Travelers Aid Student Enrichment Program

The Travelers Aid Student Enrichment Program is a structured, year-round children and youth development program that promotes the academic and social development of the school age children residing in TAP's family shelter and housing programs.

The Program provides a safe and familiar setting for the children in our residential programs.

Homeless children have had many disruptions in their living arrangements and their schooling. They may have large gaps in their school attendance and as many as 25% are not attending school.

Consequently, they often fall behind in academic achievement and feel isolated and abandoned by the social and education institutions that would normally support them.

The immediate goal of the Student Enrichment Program is to assure that the children can and do attend school and then recapture their academic development.

The long-term goal is for the children to develop a sense of confidence in their ability to learn and become self-sufficient as an adult.

Please view the accompanying video of the Program's operation to better appreciate its objectives and achievements.

The Student Enrichment Program is operated on the grounds of the Kirkbride Center and transportation to and from the Program is provided for all students.

Participation averages 100 children each day.

The Program is staffed by school teachers and aids that provide academic instruction, socialization skills development, and, structured recreational activities. The program services school-aged children (kindergarten through 12th grade).

The After School segment takes place is Monday through Friday from 3:00 P.M. to 6:00 P.M. During the After School program there is a focus on completing homework, language skills, math skills, and recreation.

The full-day summer camp services focus on academic enrichment and structured life enrichment and expansion activities. A unique feature of the Program is the many activities that are arranged to expand the children's sense of what life can include, including deep-sea fishing and winter camping.