NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — Kamryn is not your typical 5-year-old.
Instead of just learning his ABCs and 123's he is creating STEM-based projects.
The Youth Volunteer Corps of Hampton Roads has partnered with the City of Newport News Gun Violence Intervention Program to launch a new initiative entitled, "Service Through STEM".
Each activity aims to empower and create an impact within the community through mentoring and STEM activities.
In total, there are five excursions that take place bi-monthly at partnering elementary schools.
Student Involvement Specialist Jeremy Wall told News 3 that initiatives like this are reducing risky behavior and changing students' outlook on learning.
"We are finding ways we can encourage students to come to school through enrichment and relationships, and then on the high school side we looked at ways to kind of reduce risky behavior and also build self-advocacy," said Wall.
With the theme, 'ELEVATE' students are being challenged to build social and emotional skills with the help of high school mentors. The main focus of the program is to increase school attendance and eliminate older kids from getting involved in violence in their communities.
According to a survey by the Service through STEM mentors, 74 percent of students believe that violence is a problem within the Newport News community.
With the help of programs like this, they are being encouraged to become role models and mentors for those younger than them.
For Amilyan Lavigne, a junior at Woodside High School, the program has boosted her self-confidence when dealing with younger children.
"I think it did because growing up, I’ve always been introverted and this helped me come out of my shell a bit more so when I’m talking to students I’ve never really been around, I have to come out of my shell to mentor them," said Lavigne.
The program's impact goes beyond increasing school attendance; with the implementation of programs like this students are falling in love with learning again.
To learn more about the Youth Volunteer Corps of Hampton Roads click here.
