goodworx raises the bar for its 5th grade students

The goodworx Foundation provides after-school mentoring programs for fifth and sixth grade students in Sayreville, NJ. The program is based on broadening the horizons of today’s youth, encouraging them to follow their dreams and reach for their goals. In order to maintain a higher standard at the program and truly “raise the bar” for its students, The goodworx Foundation provides students with a “puzzle of the week.” The puzzles provided to the program’s fifth grade students are geared toward high school age youth, pushing the students to think outside of their usual scope of learning. As an incentive, the students can submit their puzzle into a box where it is entered in a weekly drawing for a small prize. The puzzle of the week has quickly become a tradition that the students look forward to week after week.

Fore more visit http://www.goodworxfoundation.org/

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goodworx Students Get an Early Idea of the Workforce

The goodworx Foundation began a seminar with its fifth grade after-school program students this past November centered on finance and preparation for entering the workforce. The seminar began by introducing bank accounts and credit. During the beginning days of the seminar, students learned how to balance a checkbook, not only a skill they need for later in life, but one they would begin to use only a few weeks later!
After learning about the financial basics, students were informed that goodworx would be “hiring” students to work during the after-school program hours. Jobs range from Recreation Coordinator, where students would be required to set up, break down, and even conduct recreational activities, to Academic Director where students would be required to make sure that their classmates had written down all of their homework assignments in their agenda pad and document those who neglected to record their homework for the night.
In preparation for their jobs, any student interested in being hired by goodworx was required to complete an application for the various jobs, including obtaining reference letters and providing goodworx with a detailed resume. Students also opened “bank accounts” with goodworx where they will have the option to either cash their checks for “goodworx cash” or sign up for direct deposit. All students will have the option to spend their earnings on various items such as a goodworx t-shirt, small prizes, or even donate to the charity of their choice.
Staff of The goodworx Foundation conducted interviews for which the students were required to meet their potential employers at a specific time and come dressed appropriately. The students all did a fantastic job and responded to interview questions with a fines that is rare in many adults. The hired students will continue to work at the program throughout the year and earn goodworx cash until June. It is a truly rewarding life-skill that most fifth grade students do not learn until well into their working years!

Goodworx partners with Madison Center Eldercare for "Adopt a Grand-Friend" initiative

goodworx students adopt Grand-Friends during the holidays

The students of The goodworx Foundation’s MTC After-School Program at Samsel Upper Elementary School in Sayreville, NJ have partnered with Madison Center Eldercare Facility in Matawan for the students’ December community service initiative. Thirty students from the after-school program will be “adopting grand-friends” by becoming pen-pals with Madison Center residents. Throughout three weeks, the students will write letters to their grand-friends with the hope that they will receive a letter back and open up communication with their new pen-pals.
In addition to writing letters, the students will also create winter decorations and cards to bring to their grand-friends on their visit to Madison Center near the end of December. During their visit, the students will finally be able to meet their grand-friends face-to-face and talk about some of the things they wrote about in their letters. Grand-friends and students will also make holiday wreaths to help brighten the spirits of the grand-friends during the holiday season. This event promises to be more than just “community service” for The goodworx Foundation’s students. It is an opportunity for the kids to form lasting relationships and for the grand-friends to bond with the kind-hearted youth of The goodworx Foundation.

To learn more about The goodworx Foundation, and our community service program, please visit www.goodworxfoundation.org