Lake Orion Schools? after school programs received a much-needed boost when Waste Management recently committed $5,000 to help fund the Dragon Guided Activities Program (GAP). Over the past two years, Waste Management has donated $15,000 to Lake Orion Schools to support school programs.
‘Waste Management’s donation will give Lake Orion students a place to go after school to stay active, surround themselves with positive influences and make productive use of their free time,? said Ben Gerdeman, coordinator of Lake Orion Schools Dragon GAP, the program which benefited from Waste Management’s donation this year. ‘It is great to see businesses such as Waste Management that want to make a difference in their communities. Their generosity will benefit more than 7,000 kids. ?
The mission of Dragon GAP is to provide an extensive, fun, positive, and substance-free after school leisure and recreational activities program for all Lake Orion Community Schools students K-12. The program seeks to provide ‘something for everyone.?
‘Waste Management is committed to having a positive impact in the communities we serve, and our support for Lake Orion Schools is an example of that,? said Kathleen Klein, Community Affairs Representative for Waste Management’s Eagle Valley Recycling and Disposal Facility. ‘The after-school programs Lake Orion offers will have a tremendously positive impact on the lives of the community’s youth for years to come.
The Waste Management funding will support Dragon GAP’s four areas of interest:
After School Options: Decreasing unsupervised youth discretionary time through youth engagement in innovative in school, after school, evening, and summer programs, including recreational activities in safe places. Decreasing unhealthy behaviors among adolescents including substance abuse, violence, and sexual activity through peer and community support and educational services. Overall, Lake Orion students need a place to go in order to stay active, surround themselves with positive influences, and make productive use of their free time.
Cultural Diversity: Students will be given a multitude of avenues to learn about others different than themselves and to expand their comfort zones. Cultural diversity opportunities will be offered to allow them to understand and appreciate other cultures, ethnicities, personalities, and even partner with neighboring communities (i.e. Pontiac & Detroit).
Service Learning Opportunities: Students in Lake Orion will have a better chance to ‘make a difference? in their community and in the world by volunteering their time. Making a connection with others who are less fortunate and allowing others to ‘pay it forward? are key components in the rebound of our communities and having our students create an foundation for lifelong learning while serving others.
Environmental/ Nature Awareness: All children from birth to adults should be able to experience the outdoors and appreciate nature firsthand. Creating an increased sense of environmental/outdoors awareness will be a key component in making our students well-rounded. Programming focus will be on changing our students? mindsets to remind them that the present day choices they make will effect the generations that follow.
Last year Waste Management donated $10,000 to the Challenge Day Program at Lake Orion High School. Challenge Day enriches students? educational environment by helping them learn to break down barriers within the student body and promote respect for one another, addressing such issues as bullying, rumors, violence and stereotypes.