Noozhawk’s ParentNooz After School Activities Guide is officially here and designed to help simplify the planning of your child’s after school schedule!
To empower parents with the necessary resources to make informed decisions regarding after school activities in Santa Barbara, we’ve conducted a series of insightful interviews with representatives from various local programs for this year’s comprehensive After School Activities Guide.
In this interview, Noozhawk spoke with Cydney Justman, Executive Director of Girls Inc. of Greater Santa Barbara, to learn more about the programs they are offering this year.
Question: Can you tell us about the range of afterschool activities your business offers?
Answer: Girls Inc. of Greater Santa Barbara is a specialized youth agency, providing impactful afterschool enrichment for TK-6 and Teens at our Goleta Valley Center on Hollister Avenue, just off Turnpike. Our programming is designed to develop the whole girl, focusing on leadership, art, literacy, STEM, sports, financial literacy, and emotional resiliency.
Our TK-6 after-school enrichment program offers hands-on, evidence-based activities in a pro-girl environment. Here, girls can confidently explore their interests, make new friends, and be their authentic selves.
This Fall, our Teen Center offers 4 three-week workshops covering a variety of topics, including art, cooking, creative writing, surfing, and STEM. We are also excited to launch our second cohort of Surf and STEM, an 8-week program delivered in partnership with The Sea League, where teens will learn to surf and explore marine-related STEM.
Q: How do your activities support the developmental needs of children?
A: Girls Inc. takes a holistic approach to support the developmental needs of children through a variety of targeted programs. For instance, our academic enrichment activities, such STEM projects, are designed to foster critical thinking, enhance academic performance, and instill a love for learning. These initiatives are crucial for closing achievement gaps and encouraging lifelong education.
We also prioritize social and emotional learning. Our programs help children develop self-confidence, resilience, and interpersonal skills, focusing on self-awareness, emotional regulation, and positive relationship-building.
Physical health and wellness are another key area. Through sports, physical activities, and health education, we promote healthy lifestyles, teamwork, and physical fitness.
Leadership and advocacy are integral to our mission as well. We provide programs that empower girls to take on leadership roles, understand their rights, and engage actively in their communities, fostering a sense of agency and responsibility.
In addition to these, we offer cultural and artistic activities that allow for creative expression and cultural appreciation. These activities not only enhance creativity and fine motor skills but also promote an inclusive environment.
Lastly, our life skills programs cover practical knowledge such as financial literacy, career readiness, and problem-solving. These are essential for preparing children for future independence and success in various aspects of their lives.
By addressing these diverse developmental needs, Girls Inc. ensures that girls grow into well-rounded, confident, and capable individuals.
Q: How do you ensure the safety and well-being of children during your activities?
A: Girls Inc. of Greater Santa Barbara is a licensed childcare facility. We take safety very seriously, and maintain strict 1:14 ratios. All our staff are trained in CPR, first aid, and are regularly trained on maintaining a safe environment for our girls every day.
Our extensive staff interview and onboarding includes a criminal background check and DEI training as well as facilitator training to foster a pro-girl environment in every classroom.
Q: How do you incorporate educational elements into your afterschool activities?
A: We incorporate educational elements into our afterschool activities through a comprehensive, evidence-based curriculum designed to foster academic and personal growth. For example, in our STEM programs, girls engage in experiments and projects that teach age-appropriate scientific concepts and problem-solving skills. In our library, we offer guided reading sessions and literacy interventions to enhance literacy skills and foster a love for reading, along with activities that encourage creative writing.
Leadership is a guiding tenet of our programming. The girls participate in activities and discussions that build confidence, public speaking, and decision-making skills. For financial literacy, we conduct practical exercises that teach the basics of budgeting, saving, and financial planning, as well as programs that introduce the concepts of business and entrepreneurship.
Equipping girls to live healthy lives is also at the center of what we do. Through our Strong programming, girls learn to care for themselves through body neutrality, nutrition, wellness, and the importance of a healthy lifestyle. They also engage in activities that teach stress management and build emotional resilience.
By integrating these educational elements into our afterschool programs, we aim to provide a holistic learning experience that empowers girls to succeed academically, socially, and personally.
Q: Can you describe a typical day or session in one of your afterschool programs?
A: When our participants arrive, they head to their classrooms, where they are welcomed by their facilitator and friends. After some informal time, they jump right into the day’s activities. It may be their group’s day to spend in the art room or the library. Perhaps they head outside to spend time in nature and explore STEM in the natural world, or cook a delicious meal to share with the other groups. Our center is a second home to many of our girls. They feel comfortable, safe, happy and free to be themselves!
Q: What steps do you take to engage children who might be shy or hesitant to participate?
A: Building trust and relationships is another key aspect of our approach. We often start with small group activities to help shy girls feel less overwhelmed and more connected. We also encourage peer support through buddy systems, pairing new or shy girls with a buddy to provide comfort and support. Group projects that promote teamwork and collaboration help girls form bonds and feel more integrated into the group.
Gradual engagement is essential. We allow girls to participate at their own pace, starting with smaller, less intimidating roles in activities. Positive reinforcement is used to celebrate small successes and boost confidence.
Q: How do you handle behavioral issues or conflicts that may arise during activities?
A: We handle behavioral issues and conflicts with a proactive and supportive approach, empowering girls to work through conflicts, use their voices, respect others, and honor their own boundaries.
First, we establish clear expectations by setting ground rules at the start of each program. This ensures everyone understands the behavioral guidelines, fostering a respectful and positive environment. We consistently reinforce these rules to maintain order and clarity. Our staff and older girls act as role models, demonstrating appropriate behavior and effective conflict resolution skills.
Empowering girls to work through conflict is central to our approach. We use mediation techniques to help girls resolve their differences peacefully, encouraging open communication and mutual understanding. Our activities and workshops teach effective conflict resolution and communication skills, enabling girls to confidently use their voices in resolving disputes.
Respect for others and oneself is a fundamental value we instill. When needed, we facilitate restorative conversations where girls can discuss the impact of their actions and work towards making amends.
Parental involvement is another important aspect. We maintain open communication with parents, informing them of any significant behavioral issues and working together to find solutions.
Q: What are the enrollment options and costs for your afterschool programs?
A: Registration for our after school programs is now open!
For TK-6th grade, offer full-time (3 or more days/week) at $140 per week and part-time (2 or less days/week) at $85 per week, Financial aid/scholarships are available to families.
Our teen workshops are $200 each (each workshop is 3 weeks long). Financial assistance is available to families. Surf and STEM, our 8-week surf-immersion program, is free to participants.
We work every day toward expanding our reach, bringing impactful programming to the girls and families in Santa Barbara County, regardless of their ability to pay.
Click here to learn more about Girls Inc. of Greater Santa Barbara!