Students Today Achieving Results for Tomorrow (START) is a nonprofit education organization that is run by the city and school district. The START program is nationally known as one of the most outstanding programs in the United States. Their goal is to foster enthusiasm for learning through fun and structured activities in a safe and caring after school environment. Its motto is "Learning Today, Leading Tomorrow".

Sacramento Start was founded in 1995; the program is an innovative regional after school program managed by the City of Sacramento, associated with the County of Sacramento and six area school districts (Del Paso Heights, Elk Grove Unified, Natomas Unified, North Sacramento, Rio Linda Union, and Sacramento City). Throughout the California, START has been recognized as one of the fifteen Regional Learning Centers that offers mentoring and coaching to other after school programs. The program offers a free homework and tutoring assistance, literacy, and enrichment/recreation activities for participants. There is tutoring assistance which helps students in their current school work. Reading opportunities that help students become more fluent and accurate in their appropriate reading level. Literacy and math activities that help students learn while having fun by using games that focuses on these activities.

START's Funds

START operated for many years through a grant from the California Department of Education. The State later awarded the City a maximum of a range of seven million in Fiscal 2008-2009 to function the START program at 55 elementary schools. In order to earn this amount, the program must be operated in accordance with the approved grant application and State Lay; student attendance must be maintain at minimum levels; and local matching funds must be spent, either by direct cash expenditures or in-kind contributions. The Sacramento START program has the capability to continue to absorb the grant match within its existing operating budget, and no additional General Fund appropriation is required. Today still, the Program sustainability has been attained through a diversified funding strategy that includes public grant funding, City and County of Sacramento funding, school district matching funds, and corporate and private donations.

Volunteers

Volunteers at the START program need to fill out an application, the application requires to fill out any experience with kids, hobbies, skills, and if someone is bilingual. The area of interest someone may want. START provides no financial compensation for volunteer services. All of the volunteers are required to attend an orientation and training prior to start date. A volunteer is to agree to take an active role in ensuring a safe environment at all times for participants, staff, and volunteers of Sacramento START. Applications are accepted on a first come-first served basis and are offer at school sites or by clicking the link below. http://www.sacstart.org/pdf/start-volunteer-app.pdf

Statistics

According to the official START’s webpage, approximately 6,000 students are involved in the START program. Children gain knowledge, enlarge their universe outside neighborhood boundaries, provide opportunities to grow and flourish build and develop trust, and create and fulfill dreams. With this in mind, the program encourages youth development and builds on individual student assets. Children also mold new friendships, develop new interests, and enhance self-esteem. The application process to be involved in this program is in a first come basis. The eligibility requirements to join the program are to be enrolled in the school where the after school program is located.

START Ethnic Participants:

• African American 20%
• American Indian 1%
• Asian American 16%
• Filipino 2%
• Hispanic 36%
• Pacific Islander 2%
• White 18%
• Multiple/No Response 4%

Donations

Donations of money could be made to help the services for the youth, which includes the Sacramento START program. Someone who wants to donate they can donate online in any nonprofit organization that supports recreation and parks: Gifts to Share, Inc. In the website, a donation application needs to be filling with personal information, and anyone can donate any percentage of an amount. By clicking the link above, it will automatically take you to the application. https://npo.networkforgood.org/Donate/Donate.aspx?npoSubscriptionId=1001163

Community Partners

START offers other programs to help educate students by community partners that help children become active learners. The other programs are listed below.

• CAMP Sacramento
• Effie Yeaw Nature Center
• Crocker Art Museum
• Fantasy Theater
• G.E.O. Cooking Club
• G.E.O. Garden Tours
• 5-A-Day Nutrition and Cooking Program
• On the Wild Side Environmental Education Program
• Campfire USA
• Matrix Arts
• Sacramento Bee Newspapers in Education
• Sacramento Ballet
• Steps to College EAOP
• S.T.A.R.S.-Students Teaching and Reaching other Students
• Never Cry Wolf
• USTA Tennis
• Youth Experiences in Science Project
• Water Conservation Program
• Ready to Grow
• Karate

References

• Duerr Evaluation Resources. (2008-2009). Citing Websites. Sacramento START Program Evaluation Report. Retrieved October 31, 2011, from http://www.sacstart.org/pdf/start-programevaluation12610.pdf
• Sacramento Start. (n.d.). Citing Websites. Retrieved October 31, 2011, from http://www.sacstart.org/about.htm
• Sacramento City Unified School District. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.scusd.edu/ResourceDirectory/Pages/SacramentoSTART.aspx
• Report To Council City of Sacramento. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://sacramento.granicus.com/MetaViewer.php?meta_id=158952&view=&showpdf=1

This report was written for Cynthia Linville’s English20M Section 4 class at CSU, Sacramento Fall 2011