North Carolina Summer Nutrition Programs Offer Free Meals for Children

 

More than 900,000 North Carolina students rely on the nutritious meals and snacks served during the school year through the School Breakfast, School Lunch, and Afterschool Meals Programs. In 2020 alone, N.C. Summer Nutrition Programs served 27,966,843 summer meals, six times the number of meals served in 2019. This summer, the N.C. Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) has already enrolled 184 sponsors serving 2,718 meals. Summer Nutrition Programs can provide meals for children any time school is out and are offered to children and adolescents ages 18 and younger. Due to the ongoing pandemic, more children and their families are struggling to know where their next meal will come from. To find free, healthy meals near you for children who are ages 18 and younger: Text "FoodNC" to 877-877 for information in English or “COMIDA” to 877-877 for information in Spanish, Call toll-free 1.866.3Hungry (1.866.348.6479) or 1.877.8Hambre (1.877.842.6273), Utilize the N.C. Site Finder mapping tool at http://childnutrition.ncpublicschools.gov, or Visit the USDA's Summer Meal Site Finder, https://www.fns.usda.gov/SummerFoodRocks. Since North Carolina schools closed to students March 16 of last year due to COVID-19, more than 160 million meals have been served through the Summer Nutrition Program’s emergency feeding initiatives in order to support the state’s COVID-19 public health response. Local education agencies and community organizations serving as Summer Nutrition Program sponsors have been provided guidance regarding the requirements for personal hygiene, food safety and social distancing. N.C. Summer Nutrition Programs are administered by NCDPI, with federal assistance from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Summer Nutrition Programs are typically located in economically distressed areas in order to serve the most food-insecure vulnerable students. Meal sites may be located at schools, public housing centers, playgrounds, camps, parks, medical centers, faith-based facilities, libraries and other locations. Meals are served to eligible children at no cost. Registration and ID are not required. Additional information regarding N.C. Summer Nutrition Programs may be found on the NCDPI, School Nutrition Division’s website. Citizens and organizations interested in getting involved as sites, activity providers or volunteers should contact the NCDPI Summer Nutrition Programs Team at summernutritionprogram@dpi.nc.gov. In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the agency (state or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English. To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form (AD-3027) available online and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; fax: (202) 690-7442; or email: program.intake@usda.gov. ###

Student Enrichment Programs

 Summer programs, workshops, and other activities that don't show up on your transcript can help set you apart during your admissions and interview process. Many organizations across the state offer fun educational programs for students of all ages. Interest areas in these programs range from Marine Science to Engineering, Music to Writing, American Sign Language to Cake Decorating and many more. You can choose from residential camps to day programs, programs located near home or across the state. You don't want to miss out on these opportunities!

Program listings are updated throughout the year. For the most up-to-date program information, please visit the official program page by clicking on the program titles below.

CFNC Student Enrichment Programs Search

Create an Account with College Foundation of North Carolina (CFNC)

 

All VAHS students are encouraged to create a CFNC account this summer!

https://www.cfnc.org/

College Foundation of North Carolina (CFNC) is a free service of the State of North Carolina provided by a collaboration of Pathways (the NC Department of Public Instruction, the NC Community College System, the NC Independent Colleges and Universities and The University of North Carolina System), the North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority, and College Foundation, Inc. CFNC promotes access to North Carolina higher education and assists students with education planning, career planning, and applying and paying for college.

Free STEM Workshops for Girls

 Only 11% of girls aged 13 to 17 say they plan to pursue a career in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), compared to 35% of boys. In addition, Black and Latina students are more likely to leave STEM majors than white students.

That's why AAUW’s free STEMEd for Girls virtual workshops, which start July 7, were created exclusively for girls in grades 9 through 12, and the parents, guardians and caregivers who support their dreams. The program is for everyone, but we especially encourage girls of color to participate. 

These six lively sessions will inspire teen girls in a supportive setting and show them they have just as much potential in STEM as boys. They will pave the way for girls’ STEM success in college and beyond.

The program will:

• Show girls how accessible—and exciting—STEM can be.
• Explore the variety of subjects they can choose as a college major, from astronomy to zoology.
• Teach girls about the rewarding and well-paying careers a STEM education can prepare them for.
• Pair girls with a mentor working in a STEM field.
• Engage parents, guardians or caregivers to ensure girls have the support and encouragement they need on the pathway to STEM.

Please spread the word to help girls nurture their interest in STEM and join a national community of girls and women excited about the endless opportunities that await. If you have any questions, contact stem@aauw.org.

Top 175 Scholarships for College Students

for College Students (click here to see them!)

Employment Opportunity

  

Rooterman Plumbing in Durham, NC is  looking for some young women and men at least 18 years of age to join their company as full-time employees. They are looking for plumbers, drain techs, and CDL septic tank truck drivers. The company will pay for student's training and pay them while they are in training. Students must come with the willingness to work and learn. Students can apply using the link at the bottom of this message.  

Their website is: https://rooterman.com/steve-harmon/

 Link to application 

Thank you for your time and consideration, 

Natalie Marochak