While motivating students can be a difficult task, the rewards are more than worth it. As teachers and parents we try our best to be a motivation to our children, but we realize that experience is sometimes the best teacher, and who else to tell the story of these children but themselves. MYF has been serving the community of Statia since 2010. In 4 years our organization has served over 500 students and has involved diverse community partners. Nothing we do is as important as the effect it has on a child. Our after school program was designed for the children of working parents but can also be seen as an extension of the home. Our welcoming and secure environment is a place where children feel support, motivation and safety but also where they have fun. Our doors are open on every weekday afternoon to make sure that students can transit directly from any school and they can stay as long as the doors are open each day! Volunteers are a key component in helping MYF fulfill its mission to provide high quality after school education, through enrichment and recreation activities for children. The task of our diverse team include but is not limited to helping students with homework, assisting with education, enrichment and recreation activities and participating in special events and field trips. In planning our activities, we strive to address the multiple needs, interests, abilities and talents of our children, recognizing that these change as children get older. We have also considered activities, where children will learn some local history; and will also be involved in arts, physical activities, math exercises, nutrition and cooking, and, depending on their ages, discussions of social issues (honesty and kindness) and for older children, larger issues such as (sexuality or drug abuse). This might sound overambitious, and in fact, it would be difficult for any one organisation to incorporate all of these elements into a single program, therefore MYF is consistently seeking partners and presently collaborates with other organisations such as Daughters of the King Foundation, Gwendolyn van Putten school, Red Cross Foundation, Family and Youth Center, Public Health Department, Expertise Center, Police Department etc etc. The community of Statia as a whole also has a serious stake in the success of our afterschool program.. We all can play a role and contribute to its success. Here is how! Business Community, you can contribute by providing resources that would otherwise be too expensive, such as extra space, old or new computers, and other materials, including arts supplies or equipment for science projects. Law enforcement officials your role in the community is multi-fold; you can act not just as enforcers but also as mentors and role models. Think of reducing crime and other problems that arise when youth are unsupervised, and to help ensure that young people become responsible, contributing members of society. MYF is very happy with the support it receives from our local police department. Through our collaborating, our officers provide resources and time to help improve the lives of young people. Parents: thank you for entrusting your children to us! Even though our afterschool program is designed to fill a gap created when parents are working, it's important for us to find ways to bring parents into the program, to share their knowledge and expertise, and to help them feel a part of their child's learning experience. www.myf4youth.com