For many youths, being a successful adult is often viewed in a lens primarily associated with making a large amount of money.  Although low-income youth may not personally know people who are successful in business, acting or athletics, these professions are very attractive to kids because the benefactors appear well compensated. Having a wide knowledge on financial literacy allows youth to think rationally and make effective decisions on financial use and management (ANZ Bank, 2008; Van Rooij et al., 2011).

During this episode you will hear more about:

• Kidprenur Dreams: Exploring Money and Emotions and the Coloring Book: a World of Creative and learning

The topic of this episode of the Making After School podcast, is, "Preparing Youth for Natural or Sudden Disastrous Events." To speak on this topic is my guest, Mr. Jeremy Foster,  with the Office of School Safety and Security with Harris County Department of Education Center for Safe and Secure Schools.

During this podcast you will learn the following:

• Steps parents can take help dimmish the fears of their children who may be facing their first natural disaster.

Resources:

Mike Wilson - [email protected]

Jeremy Foster - [email protected]

Over the last decade, the emergence of after school programs, either school based or community-based programs, have changed parents’ expectations of their children’s experiences during non-school hours.

To address this issue, is my guest Dr. Jesus Campos, who is a Data Analyst/Research Coordinator, with the Research and Evaluation Institute of Harris County Department of Education. 

During this podcast you will learn more about:

• HCDE’ Research and Evaluation department,

Resources

Mike Wilson can be reached at [email protected]

Dr. Jesus Campos can be reach at [email protected]

Today’s topic focuses on the influence a positive male role model can have on at risk minority boys. According to research there are three strategies frequently used with developing male mentoring programs. They include some form of rites of passages, social responsibility training, and introduction to successful men. Therefore, the focus of this episode of the Making After School Cool podcast highlights the work of Mr. Keith Cornelius, the current Director of the Urban Enrichment Institute, and an advocate for male mentorship.

 During this episode you will hear about:

1. What motivate men to be mentors

Today’s topic focuses on building a supportive environment that address the concerns and issues faced by youth in today’s multifaceted society.  My guest today is Mr. JC Pohl of Teen Truth. JC Pohl is an award-winning producer, nationally recognized speaker, and certified counselor who has reached over 12 million people in 8,000+ schools.

During this Episode you will learn more about the following:

 1. What motivated JC to start Teen Voice?

2. How to identify and recruit who are willing to share their experiences

3. What can be learned listing to youth voice?

4. Why is it important for youth to have vehicles to develop their own unique voice?

Today’s topic of the Making After School Cool Podcast focuses on the power of building quality relationship with youth in OST programs. There is currently an explosion of research based on the need & interest in after-school programs. According to research published in the American Journal of Community Psychology “More Than Attendance: The Importance of After School Program Quality (Barton J. Hirsch • Megan A. Mekinda • Julie Ann Stawick, 2010)”

The rationale for these programs may include supporting working parents; enhancing school reform initiatives; providing mentors to young people; and/or providing youth with a voice in programs.  Today's episode highlights the work of my guest today, Mr. Emanuel “Dupree” Jackson, Founder and Executive Director of the EJS Project, a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organization which a focus on building and empowering our future leaders.

During this podcast you will learn more about:

1. This history of the EJS Project

This episode of the Making After School Cool Podcast focuses on the Power of Poetry and the Spoken Word. Since, 1996, the month of April has been designated as National Poetry Month. This distinction reminds the public that poets have an integral role to play in our culture and that poetry matters. My guest today is a poet in the Houston area, Ms. Jo-Ann Blanchard. Ms. Blanchard has been writing since the age of 10 and is an advocate of domestic violence prevention and intervention.  During this podcast you will learn more about the following:

1. How Ms. Blanchard started to get recognized as a poet

Resources

Mike Wilson – [email protected]

Ms. Jo Anne Blanchard – [email protected]

Harris County Department of Education – www.hcde-texas.org

CASE for Kids - www.hcde-texas.org/afterschoolzone

The Afterschool is Cool Youth Expo focused on career opportunities in the field of technology, including digital innovation, energy entrepreneurship and life sciences, and incorporated the gamification of learning. The Expo is part of LevelUp Houston, Harris County’s newest student badging platform, developed by CASE for Kids and MyVoluntier and funded by the Houston Endowment through the Education Foundation of Harris County. 

Today’s topic features teenagers who are a member  of the City Of Houston Youth Ambassadors advisory group.  This group, under the direction of Ms. Laura Cuellar, are advisors to the city of Houston Mayor’s Office. The City of Houston Championing Change Youth Ambassadors include youth ages 13-18 who work to advance children’s rights and ensure youth voice is considered in the City of Houston's programs and decision-making.  They provide the youth’s perspective regarding issues faced by their age group.

During the episode you will hear the follow:

• Current issues faced by their age group

Resources

Mike Wilson – [email protected]

 Another Step for Youth child rights podcast