RECRUITING STUDENTS AND VOLUNTEERS FOR AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMS

Happy New Year!

As we move into 2014, we are offering several FREE after-school, extracurricular programs. Know students interested in public health, public speaking, peer outreach, or have academic talents in medicine or biology? Any young people you know who like to tinker with gadgets, love mechanics or have a knack for STEM subjects like math, technology or science? Are there future leaders and community organizers among you?

We're recruiting students who wish to enrich their free time to fill the ranks of our Leaders-in-Training programs i.e. HIV Peer Educator, National Society of Black Engineers, Jr. and League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) Youth Council. High school and middle school students will benefit greatly from our innovative and progressive programs, which are designed to expose students to these areas and stimulate their interests. We offer students fun learning opportunities while gaining Student Service Learning (SSL) hours.

NSBE, Jr. Program

NSBE Jr. is the National Society of Black Engineers Pre-College Initiative program which is designed to stimulate the interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields, or STEM. The goal is to encourage students in grades K-12 to attend college and pursue technical degrees. GapBuster's NSBE Jr. chapters in Wheaton High School, Sligo Middle School and the Center for Educational Partnership provide award-winning academic enrichment and team-building.

As part of GapBuster NSBE Jr. chapters, students will participate in tournaments at NSBE conferences which require teamwork and academic prowess. GapBuster recently won the Region II NSBE competition in multiple categories. This year also includes the NASCAR racing series, in which students build and race model cars. We succeeded in regional contests for our NASCAR teams. You can see our NASCAR teams in action at the local Ten80 competion we will be co-hosting on January 25th (information included in link).

Our NSBE Jr. program welcomes volunteers proficient in STEM subjects, to aid students in academic enrichment, prep for conferences with our racing gear and most importantly, to have FUN!

Leaders-in-Training (LIT) Program

GapBuster's Leaders-in-Training program has been a cornerstone of our organization since it's inception. Students not only develop essential leadership skills but go on to impact their community in meaningful ways. Academic enrichment, college tours, leadership confere civic and cultural enrichment are what set the LIT program apart and provide students with the tools they need for college and beyond.

Students in the LIT program can participate in other activities (such as NSBE Jr. and the HIV Peer Educator Program). In the past, students have traveled to South Africa as part of the HIV Peer Educator Program. This spring, students will have the opportunity to attend a leadership conference by cruise. GapBuster preps our Leaders in Training with the tools they will need to make a real and lasting contribution to society.

We are thankful to our numerous community partners for providing LIT students with the ability to explore their organizations, for serving as mentors and the opportunities that arise from those experiences.

HIV Peer Educator Program

The HIV Peer Educator program is a one of GapBuster's longest-lasting and most successful initiatives. The program educates teens on current HIV prevention techniques; general reproductive health and social drug use information. They are also equipped with presentation skills to impart this same knowledge to their peers. Our students gain invaluable self awareness through this type of community engagement.Positive rewards of this program includes: Increased awareness of HIV/STD transmission and prevention; Promotion of healthy behaviors regarding sex; Improved self esteem through community engagement; Tons of Student Service Learning hours; Opportunities to travel and Life Long Friends.

The training will consist of 10 sessions concluding with a Teen Health Expo in May. All training sessions will be lead by experienced peer educators and guest presenters from both the public and private sectors.

Students who complete the program receive a Certificate of Completion. Past Peer Educators have traveled abroad to Africa to share a cross cultural exchange about HIV prevention and making healthy choices for their lives.

GapBuster, Inc. is an approved 21st Century Community Learning Center grantee.

Our "Building Scholars for the Future" program is designed for middle school students (6th - 8th grade).

Current students are having a great time combining academics with creative enrichment activities and

a dynamic teaching staff.

ENROLLMENT IS STILL OPEN FOR THE LEARNING CENTER. Call (301) 779-4252 for further information.

Thank you to our sponsors, partners, parents, volunteers and community members for your support.

We could not provide any of these programs without you.

Are you making a New Year's resolution to " Do More in the Community this year?"

GapBuster Wants YOU!

Please support our students by signing up to volunteer or donate TODAY!

We currently accept donations through the website Razoo, click here.

We will send out further information as the year unfolds.

For many of our students, programs like NSBE Jr. and HIV Peer Education are the first steps to bright futures and careers in fields such as engineering and Public Health. Your generous donations will help purchase among other things, tools (wrenches, drills), car parts (motors, wheels, axles) and other equipment for regional and national NSBE competitions, as well as funding travel expenses for regional Youth Leadership conventions.

Obviously, we think our Leaders-In-Training students and programs are worthy of support.

Tell us what you think!

We're active on social media. Follow us on Facebook or Twitter.

For more information about GapBuster, Inc. and our programs, call us at (301) 779-4252.

Or visit us in our office at the

University of Maryland, Center for Educational Partnerships (CEP) building

6200 Sheridan St. Riverdale, MD 20737

Have a wonderful January and please stay tuned for future developments in the Spring!

Sincerely,

Yvette Butler, MD

Compiled by Rebecca Seel, Americorps VISTA and Marketing and Technology Specialist

Brand and Infinity logo concept by GapBuster Alumna Cherrelle Coleman-Lawrence and Parkdale High School student Yostin Huerta