We actively addressed food insecurity by providing full meals every program night. On Mondays and Fridays, students were served items like hot dogs, hamburgers, turkey sandwiches, and healthy sides. On Wednesdays, we offered full hot meals including baked chicken, rice, green beans, chicken nuggets, mashed potatoes, and corn. We made sure that every student was fed, no one went without a meal. Many students expressed how much they enjoy the food, with one student sharing, “This is the best food I ever had.”

 

Building Relationships & Positive Connections 

One of the most rewarding aspects of Fort Valley After Dark was witnessing the genuine relationships that formed among students. Through team sports, group games, mentorship, and chess sessions, students learned the value of teamwork, communication, and mutual respect. The atmosphere remained inclusive and supportive throughout the program, with returning students often stepping up to welcome and encourage newcomers, helping everyone feel seen, safe, and connected.

 

Key Learnings & Next Steps

• Financial Literacy Workshop for both students and parents supported by SunMark
• Weekly low-impact fitness sessions as part of our health & wellness focus
• More guest speakers and skills-building opportunities

 

Parent Testimonial: “Since my child started attending the FVAD program, he’s been more excited and engaged, counting down the hours until it’s time to go back.  He is opening up more, sharing what he enjoys, and it’s been easier to connect and have conversations.”

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Broadened Life Skills Programming 

We recognized the importance of incorporating life skills into the experience. A recommended addition for future programming is a financial literacy workshop designed for both students and parents, to be supported by SunMark Bank. This would help families develop stronger money management habits.

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Health & Wellness Discussions

Although the physical activities were well received, we identified a need to offer low impact fitness sessions, such as stretching, yoga, or mindfulness-based movement to better support students’ overall wellness.

 

 

Expanding Mentorship Opportunities for more speakers

The guest speaker sessions were a clear highlight, especially those led by local alumni and professionals. Moving forward, adding more skill-building workshops and mentors will help deepen the program’s impact and expose students to a broader range of future pathways.

 

 

 

Parent Testimonial: “Since my child started attending the FVAD program, he’s been more excited and engaged, counting down the hours until it was time to go back. He opened up more, shared what he enjoyed, and it became easier to connect and have conversations.” – Fort Valley Parent

 

This summer reminded us of the power of play, the joy of connection, and the strength of our Fort Valley community. Let’s keep building!