The John Jefferson Youth Empowerment Programs
Free Summer Reading Fun!
JUNE 3-JULY 31, 2025 | 4-5 pm, Tues & Thurs
Excludes the week of July 4th
For kids K-5th grades - Register Now
Reading is a lifelong skill that affects every part of a child’s life and is an indicator of future success. Certified teachers and volunteer assistants work with children to improve reading and comprehension skills. The summer reading program is a performance-based incentive program to prevent “summer slip” that happens when kids are out of school.
Youth Programs
We believe that children deserve to be nurtured, supported, and empowered in a safe and fun environment. They can overcome challenges at home and at school if we show them the way. The Empowering Youth Programs provide team-building projects, one-on-one reading and homework assistance, and food, so kids can concentrate on learning - not hunger.
Afterschool Academic Program
Our K–12 Afterschool Academic Program provides a safe, structured environment for academic and emotional support Monday through Friday, 2:30–5:30 p.m.
We serve students from all Sarasota County schools, providing primary participation and transportation from Laurel Nokomis Elementary and Middle School, Venice Elementary School, and Venice Middle School. While transportation is provided from these campuses, the program is open to all students from any Sarasota County school. All are welcome!
We partner with Sarasota County Schools to reinforce classroom instruction through academic assistance, homework and school project support, and a structured daily reading curriculum. Every student is provided with a Chromebook to access their MySCS account and complete online assignments. Three 86” Promethean Smart Boards extend classroom instruction into our program space, ensuring continuity across grade levels.
Currently, certified teachers from Laurel Nokomis Elementary and Middle School, Venice Middle School, and Venice Elementary School provide part-time academic instruction alongside trained staff and volunteers. The participation of these certified educators is made possible through the generosity of the Community Foundation of Sarasota County and the Jerome and Mildred Paddock Foundation. We also provide one-on-one assistance to students with Specialized Varying Exceptionality (SVES) and Individualized Education Program (IEP) needs.
Measurable Results
During the 2024–2025 school year, with a daily average attendance of 121 students:
94% of general education students earned or maintained A–B honor roll status.
84% of IEP students performed above average academically.
95% of students finished the year reading above average, up from 89% at the beginning of the year, demonstrating measurable literacy growth.
For the current school year, our goal is for at least 90% of students to finish above average academically.
Children can’t focus on learning when they’re hungry. Our Kid Café program provides a nutritious hot meal for about 165 kids each day after school and over the summer months. We also provide snack packs so they will not go hungry on weekends or when school’s out.
Kid Café
Teen Empowerment
The Laurel Civic Teen Empowerment Program (TEP) is a proactive prevention program designed to reach and engage our youth. We are dedicated to promoting programs that help empower teens to succeed by becoming lifelong learners, leaders, community role models, productive workers, and self-sufficient citizens. Teen empowerment helps support personal growth through character development.
Growing Strong STEMs
Pine View students volunteer to engage kids from third to eight grade develop a passion for Science, Technology, Engineering, Math for kids from 3rd to 8th grades.