Pablo Navarro (915) 465-1191, ext. 213 p.navarro@pvida.net
Lorenzo Diaz (915) 465-1191, ext. 213 lj.diaz@pvida.net
PROJECT VIDA OUT-OF-SCHOOL-TIME (PVOST) PROGRAM
After-school enrichment, safety, and youth development were among Project Vida’s original initiatives in the early 1990s. The community had voiced its concern for a productive space for school-age children and teens during out-of-school-time hours and school breaks. Project Vida thus designed a program to prevent gang affiliation and juvenile crime.
Originally named After-School Enrichment & Youth Development, the Project Vida Out-of-School-Time (PVOST) program still provides younger school-age children with supervision, nurturing support, academic support, recreation, and enriching programs. Teens are offered recreation, technology-based creativity in a safe environment, college readiness, and various enrichment activities. The goal of PVOST is to help ensure academic success, high school graduation, productive choices, and preparation for a successful life.
About the Program
The After-School Enrichment & Youth Development Program encourages school-age children and youth to be self-confident, self-directed, cooperative, and creative. Age-appropriate, evidence-based curricula underpin the program pointing kids away from high-risk behaviors and activities such as smoking, drug and alcohol use, bullying, truancy, and gang involvement. PVOST is not child care but rather a prevention program. Offering a safe, nurturing, supervised environment during out-of-school-time hours and school breaks, participants enjoy assistance with homework, reading and literacy activities, computer and internet instruction, structured play, arts and crafts, gardening, field trips, and mentoring. A College Readiness program targets middle and high school participants with presentations and information on career options, financial aid, and field trips to local campuses. Teen participants also may enjoy technology-based creative projects. When school is in session, PVOST offers free afternoon snacks; during school breaks, the program offers lunch and snacks at no cost. Other program features include:
Open to children and youth ages 6-18
No cost
No documents needed for registration
Year-round program with special summer activities and educational field trips
To learn more about this program, including specific activities and how to register, click on each heading below.
Accessing the PVOST Program
Children and youth ages 6 to 18 may join the activities with no eligibility requirement other than they must be enrolled and attending school during the school year. Registration for PVOST is not required but is highly appreciated, as the program receives funding based only on registered, attending participants. Drop-in registration is permitted; advance registration is welcomed and appreciated.
To register in advance, please call (915) 465-1191, ext. 213, for an appointment; or email Blanca Castillo at b.castillo@pvida.net or Pablo Navarro at p.navarro@pvida.net.
Program locations and hours
CENTRAL
Alameda Center
3718 Alameda, 79905
(915) 283-4444
Monday-Friday, 2:00-6:00 p.m.
Rio Grande Center
212 Lisbon, 79905 (across from Tinajero School)
(915) 283-4444
Monday-Friday, 2:00-6:00 p.m.
NORTHEAST
Eisenhower Center
5628 Eisenhower, 79924
(915) 465-1191, ext. 213
Monday-Friday, 1:00-6:00 p.m.
Joel Center
4741 Joel Dr., Building 10, 79924
(915) 465-1191, ext. 213
Monday-Friday, 1:00-6:00 p.m.
Summer hours at all PVOST Centers
12:00 noon to 5:00 p.m.
Afternoon snacks available to enrolled participants at no cost through Texas Department of Agriculture.
Special PVOST Activities
All Stars Character Education
All Stars is an innovative, evidence-based prevention program. Designed primarily for children ages 9 to 11, the All Stars six-week curriculum targets negative attitudes and behaviors which are precursors to problem behaviors in adolescence. All Stars’ goal is to help youth avoid or delay the onset of alcohol, drug, and substance use; gang involvement; truancy; fighting; delinquency; premature sexual activity; and other high-risk behaviors. All Stars enhances positive behaviors and attitudes by promoting good character, a sense of belonging, resiliency, and positive relationships with parents and adults. The age-appropriate curriculum is fun, engaging, and highly interactive with games, art, and small group activities.
Summer Art Projects
PVOST works with the City of El Paso Museums and Cultural Affairs Department (MCAD) to offer age-appropriate art instruction, art projects, and an art exhibition at the end of summer. Projects are varied each year and may include drawing, painting, watercolor, sculpture, photography, and other media. Classes are taught by local area artists and are made possible by funding from MCAD.
Best Buy Teen Tech Center
The Best Buy Teen Tech Center (BBTTC) is a member of The Clubhouse Network (www.theclubhousenetwork.org) in collaboration with Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Media Lab. The BBTTC is a technology-based program aimed at empowering teens from all backgrounds to become more capable, creative, and confident learners.
Click here for more information on Project Vida’s Best Buy Teen Tech Center.