April 17, 2005 – ARCH Institute will graduate 36 students in its Caya Media Project April 23 at 1 p.m. at the Sidney Lee Theater at Island Center.
According to Jaslene Williams, project manager, this program comes about because of federal grant. This HIV/AIDS, Substance Abuse and Cultural after-school program for 6th graders is to help the students make informed decisions when they enter junior high school.
Williams said, "This is not a love them and leave them program."
She said the program is instituting booster programs where graduates will get together about once a month.
She said, "We want to keep a consistent message with them over time."
Children are recruited from schools all over St. Croix. It is conducted at two locations – one on the east side and one on the west side.
This is the second group to graduate. Forty sixth graders graduated in January.
Williams said there will be a booster program for the graduates over the summer holidays. However, plans for next year is that the program have three graduating classes – two during the school year and one during the summer.
Williams said, "Students start dealing with more of the social ills when they get to junior high. This program will help them make safer decisions.
Parents and guardians interested in enrolling youngsters for the next cycle can call Williams in the ARCH Institute office at 719-3338.
ARCH stands for Access to Racial and Cultural Health.