1. History
A Day in the Life was inspired by Founder Nakia Burrise-Gavino's experiences from ten years of teaching in the inner city schools of LAUSD. She was struck by the vast opportunity gap that lies between lower income students and upper middle class students. With a lack of educational interest and few academic incentives, some lower-income students began to tune out, drop out, and give up. A Day in the Life was created to help bridge the opportunity gap and expose inner city children to resources that promote successful futures. By giving youth positive experiences before they reach middle school, A Day in the Life can affect life changes that stay with students as they progress in their new life path.
2. Project Summary
A Day in the Life is an after-school enrichment program that gives at-risk inner-city elementary school children positive life experiences and knowledge that demonstrate how academic achievement and education can lead to successful careers and lives. Through weekly after-school meetings, activities and monthly field trips led by Program Directors, students are given the opportunity to explore various career options, higher education environments, and desirable communities. Each month, guest speakers who have overcome socio-economic obstacles to achieve career success are invited to give presentations, encourage role play, and take part in exciting hands on activities with our students. This gives them a positive role model and a tangible sense that success is possible. Throughout the program, students learn how to set life goals and outline the steps to reach their goals, allowing them to see that their biggest dreams are indeed possible.
The program works in elementary schools to promote an environment in which students feel comfortable to set goals and follow their aspirations. The program sessions are kept small (20-25 students) so that each student can receive individual attention, feel nurtured and supported by our Program Directors and fellow students; and allow our students to experience the program on a more personal, profound level. Some of these students have never known anyone to have a career or even what that means. A Day in the Life gives hope and a new opportunity for students to dream bigger than they ever imagined, and shows them how to create a path to reach their dreams.
A Day In The Life
Copyright 2006