AFCAAM

Program that serves minority community now part of Catholic Charities

 

Fort Myers--The African Caribbean American Catholic Center (AFCAAM), a program that serves the black community and other underserved minority populations in Lee County, is now under the auspices of Catholic Charities, Diocese of Venice, Inc.

 

The program, which promotes a message of empowerment and good values, became a part of Catholic Charities in July. AFCAAM strives to help people help themselves through the communication of Christian values and empowering programs that offer hope, challenge the culture, and promote self-reliance and human dignity.

 

There are two major programs at AFCAAM.

 

AFCAAM offers the Skills Mentoring Program to young male and female adults that through group mentoring provides the support and motivation needed to help them stay in school. The mentoring program is dedicated to embracing and empowering students with knowledge, skills and abilities to make good life choices.

 

The program works to build self-esteem, award excellence, encourage creativity, and develop leadership skills. Mentors monitor academic progress, emphasize academic excellence, link parents and the school, and create team building.

 

AFCAAM also provides an After-School Reading Program which is designed to get younger students interested in reading.  The reading program is committed to educating youth by encouraging and inspiring them to be lifelong learners, people of service and community builders.  The After School Reading Program promotes the four “Rs”: Respect, Responsibility, Right Decision Making and Reading.

 

The After-School Reading Program focuses on six objectives: develop a love of and appreciation of reading; help students become strong independent readers; help students build confidence, self-esteem, and self-reliance; promote development of reading comprehension and thinking skills; provide a safe educational environment; and prepare students for future education and employment.

 

The After-School Reading Program is offered to Dunbar and Harlem Heights students.

 

“We are excited to have AFCAAM as a part of Catholic Charities because the services they offer to at-risk students are so important to long-term success,” said Sharon Aragona, COO of Catholic Charities, Diocese of Venice, Inc. “The goals of AFCAAM align with those of Catholic Charities which are to serve the most needy in our communities and help them to achieve self-sufficiency.”

 

Other programs available at AFCAAM include Level Up, Scouting, and Straight Talk.

 

For more information about AFCAAM, please call 239-461-0234 or email e.reyes@afcaam.com or visit www.afcaam.com.