Helping Children Learn

The fact that inner-city children are not learning despite the number of programs in place is more widely recognized.  People from many different arenas (politics, education, and business) are now concentrating more on children’s learning.  Examples are Hartford’s Superintendent of Schools redesigning a number of schools, the Mayor’s Blueprint for Young Children focused on children ages 0 to 8, the Governor’s advisor (Janice Gruendel) for young children, increased budgets for educating young children, Hartford Foundation for Public Giving’s Brighter Futures Initiative, and expansion of the Connecticut Children’s Trust Nurturing Families Network to more Hartford locations.

Collaboration is a fundamental element of the Asylum Hill Zone.  Given the lack of results, too many programs for children already exist in Hartford today.  Some estimates put the number of programs at 178 for a cost of between $300 and $400 million annually.  The need is for increased effectiveness through coordination, collaboration, even consolidation, and certainly more accountability.

Major organizations with resources are located in Asylum Hill and many are taking an active part in programs to help improve children’s learning.  These organizations include Aetna, Asylum Hill Congregational Church, Boys and Girls Club, Catholic Charities, CPTV, The Hartford, St. Francis Hospital and Medical Center, and the Salvation Army. 

What We Do

AHLZ is focusing on West Middle Elementary School, the only public elementary school in the Zone.  Our mission is to improve learning for children, which requires working not only with children but also their families – usually single mothers.  Encouraging parents to get more involved with their children’s learning is essential.  One success indicator is increased attendance at West Middle PTO meetings and other school events.  We are also improving parenting for newborns and young children via our Baby Academy

The Zone worked to improve learning directly by tutoring third and fourth graders in read five days a week.  This effort has now morphed into an After School Academy for second, third and fourth graders focused on reading and homework.  Disruptive classroom behavior makes learning difficult, especially in the sixth, seventh, and eighth grades.  AHLZ provided assistance to teachers and administrators in reducing classroom interruptions and working with particularly challenging students to increase academic performance.  Several after-school activities were begun and the Zone contributed additional resources aimed at improving learning for students

How It Is Being Accomplished

To really change the lives of inner-city kids, we must change everything – their schools, their families, their neighborhoods – all at once. Making these changes requires an entire community effort, and requires that many interested organizations work together.  It is imperative to empower parents on the Hill to take more control of their own and their children’s lives. We start at a very early age to improve learning – hence The Baby Academy which is training parents to make a difference even before the child is born.

We also need the resources to focus on children for many years – stability and continuity, which requires many organizations working together.  The true benefit of active collaboration is an overall sense of ownership that the community takes for children and their families who live within Asylum Hill.  For example, Zone Outreach Workers stay in touch with families and when problems arise they are there to help find solutions.  Problems faced include a need for medical care, lack of food, financial issues, difficulties with landlords, need for a new bed, a lack of warm clothing, and much more.  Children and families need to know that a safety net exists. This fact instills confidence that reduces the stress of living so more energy can be focused on children’s learning. The idea of ownership also extends to the parents – helping to empower them to take more ownership of their own and their children’s lives which includes increased education and finding a satisfying career.