National Initiatives
H.E.E.R PLUS ARTS and HUMANITIES
The Baltimore Continentals have created children-centered programs in the Continentals' Five-Point Programmatic Thrust: H.E.E.R. + Arts & Humanities • The acronym stands for: • Health, Education, Employment, Recreation plus Arts & Humanities. • Since our inception we have continuously won awards at the Annual National Conclaves because of our ability to embrace each thrust with poignant and effective activities.
H - HEALTH
E - EDUCATION
E - EMPLOYMENT
R - RECREATION
+ Plus, ARTS AND HUMANITIES
Within these five areas, Continentals have selected national initiatives in three areas:
Literacy Development,
Asthma Awareness, and
Obesity Prevention
In addition to the national initiatives, other programs have been targeted as areas needing attention:
Career Exploration & Support,
Oral Health, and
African American Read-In
OUR CHILDREN, OUR COMMITMENT, OUR CONCERN
Continental Societies, Inc.® is committed to providing children in our schools and communities the best quality programs and activities in our five-point programmatic thrust – the areas of Health, Education, Employment, Recreation, Plus Arts & Humanities. Within these five areas Continentals have selected to highlight programs and services in three areas: Literacy Development, Asthma Awareness, and Obesity Prevention. Continentals feel these national initiatives are important to the well-being of our children.
Each chapter is encouraged to implement service programs in these areas that provide information and benefit to the community. Recognizing the importance of the four national initiatives, more than 90% of the Continental Chapters provide service programs supporting one or more of the national initiatives.
LITERACY DEVELOPMENT
In contemporary thinking, literacy is described as the basic ability to read and write. Many formal definitions exist including the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization’s definition as the “ability to identify, understand, interpret, create, communicate, compute and use printed, and written materials associated with varying contexts.”
Continental Societies, Inc. supports this definition, and believes that in addition to reading and writing, literacy affords young people the ability to solve problems at levels of proficiency necessary for them to function successfully on the job, in the family and in society. In this regard, chapters design programs such as book drives, read-ins, spelling bees, poetry contests, etc. to enhance the literacy skills of our children and youth.
ASTHMA AWARENESS
The Environmental Protection Agency reported in October 2010 that the rates of asthma a serious, life- threatening respiratory disease affecting over 20 million Americans – have risen sharply over the past thirty years, particularly among children ages 5 to 14. Continental Societies, Inc. responds to these startling statistics by developing programs to educate and inform the communities it serves on the seriousness of this nationwide epidemic. Partnering with local agencies and initiatives such as Zap Asthma that combines the strengths of scientific research with community action, Continental Societies, Inc. has been able to effectively facilitate asthma awareness service programs. These programs have included school assemblies, health fairs, interactive recognition of asthma triggers and others with the specific goal of reducing the occurrence of asthma among our children and youth.
OBESITY PREVENTION
Childhood obesity is of particular importance to the Continental Societies, Inc. because the organization recognizes it as a silent killer of children and youth. The National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Division of Adolescent and School Health reports immediate and long-term health impacts of childhood obesity to include cardiovascular disease, such as high cholesterol or high blood pressure, greater risk for bone and joint problems, sleep apnea, social and psychological problems such as stigmatization and poor self-esteem. Working in tangent with First Lady Michelle Obama’s May 2010 plan to reduce childhood obesity from 20% to 5% by 2030, the Continental Societies, Inc. facilitates programs such as community gardens, nutrition education, and physical fitness exercises at local schools and community centers.
In addition to the national initiatives, other programs have been targeted as areas needing attention. Over the past years Career Exploration and Support, Oral Health and the African American Read-In have been added to Continental service basket.
CAREER EXPLORATION AND SUPPORT
In response to the staggering unemployment rates that exist in inner cities throughout the nation, the Continentals provide support for students in exploring and preparing for careers. Career exploration activities are provided for elementary and lower middle school students.
On the upper level for middle school and high school students, career preparation and training activities are provided. These activities include developing resumes, preparing for interviews, interviewing techniques, researching and defining job opportunities and trends, internships and career planning. Students also enjoy site visits to various industries and job shadowing experiences.
ORAL HEALTH
Understanding the impact that the lack of adequate oral health can negatively impact a child’s life, Continental Societies, Inc. partnered with Colgate’s Bright Smiles Bright Futures dental van program to increase oral health awareness. Bright Smiles, Bright Futures is a leader in oral care and children’s oral care improvement around the world.
Continental Societies Inc. works hand and hand with Colgate as they reached over 120 million children in the United States with positive dental messages.
