Mayor Karl Dean has this to say about us...

Purity Miss Martha's Ice Cream Crankin'

News

Community & Neighborhood

March/April newsletter contents:
ACT prep begins to pay off for middle school students
Vote for Martha O'Bryan video, help us win a trip to the White House
Center earns Excellence in Volunteer Engagement certification
Miss Martha's Ice Cream Crankin' & Summer Social is June 10, 2012

ACT prep begins to pay off for middle school students

Middle school students in the THRIVE Youth Development program have raised their ACT test scores by 2.5 points on average. 
 
The goal is for each student to score at least a 15 by 9th grade, said Patrick Reese, Middle School Transition Coach for the Martha O'Bryan Center. The focus on the ACT began during the 2010-11 academic year. In October 2011, the average ACT score for THRIVE middle school students was 12. This February, the average rose to 14.5. 
 
Now, students as young as 5th grade learn about importance of the ACT. After a semester of focusing on soft skills like decision-making, conflict resolution, and advocacy, students learn more concrete skills like note taking, essay writing, and time management. 
 
"The TCAP Boot Camp and ACT Prep falls under the hard skills section, to give them something that they can tangibly take to high school with them and feel prepared," Reese said. "So when they sit down as a freshman, when they sit down as a sophomore, they don't feel bombarded by the workload or the expectations of high school because they've had those expectations from the staff of the Martha O'Bryan Center through 7th and 8th grade." 
 

Vote for Martha O'Bryan, help us win a trip to the White House

Screen shot of Let's Move videoMartha O'Bryan Center is competing in Michelle Obama's "Let's Move" Video Challenge to combat childhood obesity. Winners will be invited to the White House this summer, and we need your help. Please visit the voting page, register with the site and click the red "Vote" button above our 3-minute video. Please vote every day until the contest ends at 4 p.m. on May 11. Share this with your friends (who also can vote every day) and help us win! Thank you for your support!

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Martha O'Bryan Center volunteer program earns certification

Excellence in Volunteer Engagement

The Martha O'Bryan Center received the first round of Excellence in Volunteer Engagement (EVE) certification, an initiative to recognize high-quality volunteer management by nonprofits and to help increase the number of volunteers in Davidson County. It is the first such certification effort in the nation.

The Center was among 42 certified nonprofit organizations recognized by Mayor Karl Dean. A panel of judges representing the community determined which agencies qualified for a two-year certification. Certified organizations showed effectiveness in specific areas of volunteer management, including a defined volunteer program with an identified, dedicated and trained manager, a screening process that aligns volunteers’ skills and abilities with appropriate tasks, orientation for all volunteers and an evaluation process to affirm a volunteer's impact on the community and agency.

"I have always been proud of the strong volunteer spirit that Nashville has," Dean said. "I commend these nonprofits for providing the types of meaningful volunteer experiences that engage the passion of our volunteers and put their skills to the best use. These organizations have also been important in increasing the number of volunteers in our city. I congratulate them on their achievements, and I thank Hands On Nashville and the Center for Nonprofit Management for leading the implementation of this significant program."

Volunteer for Martha O'Bryan Center today.

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2012 Purity Miss Martha's Ice Cream Crankin' & Summer Social

Join us for the 27th Purity Miss Martha's Ice Cream Crankin' & Summer Social to sample hundreds of gallons of homemade ice cream in dozens of flavors. Proceeds benefit Martha O'Bryan Center. Buy tickets now.

  • When: 3-5 p.m. Sunday, June 10
  • Where: on the lawn at First Presbyterian Church on Franklin Road in Nashville. Map your route.
  • Admission: $10 for adults, $8 for children.

Buy tickets now.

Thank you to our 2012 Crankin' sponsors

Dr. and Mrs. Thomas F. Frist

Kroger    |    Gaylord Foundation    |   Ingram Entertainment

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Get Involved!!