A grant from the Fresno Regional Foundation will help ENP implement and expand the Heroes Program so it can offered to more children in Fresno neighborhoods.
The Heroes program started about 5 years ago at Lowell Elementary and has been offered to students at several Fresno Schools. The program targets at-risk students who are having the most difficulty in school (academics, behavior, attendance, relationships), giving them an opportunity to be a part of something positive - something that will help them be successful in school, in relationships and set goals for their future.
It is offered to 4th - 6th grade students who will have the opportunity to be involved in activities that help them become better citizens, do better in school and understand how to interact with each other in a more positive way. The greatest benefit is that these will kids have more adults building into their lives; adults who care about them, believe in them and want to see them succeed in life.
. . . and it’s called “HEROES”! What kid doesn’t want to be a Hero?
The program will help them learn to respect themselves, respect others and take pride in their community. They will participate in activities that build character and be involved in community service activities that help them see the value of doing something for others, and the important role they can play in their own neighborhood. At the end of the school year these children will receive a new outfit and go to a special end-of-the-year celebration dinner in their honor where they will get to practice everything they learned.
These children need to be reached at an early age. Too many children see gangs as the only thing they are good enough to be a part of. We want them to see the value and potential they have and help them set goals for their future.
These are tough times, but we all have the ability to do something to make our city a better place to live. Some people can invest their time and play an active role in the lives of these kids. Others have the ability to support programs like these. We not only see the potential in each of these kids who need more positive role models in their lives, we also see the potential in our city with everyone working together using the gifts and talents God has given us to make Fresno a better place to live.