Children who grow up in poverty are faced with a series of issues which impact their education and social atmosphere. In both the school and home setting these children lack the proper resources which they need to succeed academically. Across the country, people have begun creating programs which aim to help children in poverty succeed, despite their socioeconomic status. These programs range from after-school reading, tutoring services, charter schools, and free summer programs. All of these programs provide children with extra academic help which they may not be receiving in school or at home. In “Whatever It Takes,” Paul Tough describes Geoffery Canada’s journey to provide children living in Harlem an equal opportunity to succeed. In the novel Tough touches on the benefits which Canada’s after school program, the Harlem Children’s Zone has on the children of Harlem. The after school program aims to provide a more learning-conducive environment and resources which these children are not receiving. Tough provides compelling evidence that Canada’s …show more content…
With these funds the program is able to benefit not only children, but the families and community involved. The program is led by Servant Leader Interns, who work with the children to boost reading scores while also fostering a love for learning and emotional support. In the after-school program students receive one healthy snack and in the summer program the children are provided with 2 meals and one healthy snack. The program implements an Integrated Reading Curriculum (IRC), which is based on 5 components; “high quality academic enrichment, parent and family involvement, civic engagement and social action, integrational leadership development, and nutrition, health and mental health” (CDF). Through this structure the program is able to boost the morale of the children enrolled and teach them the importance of