Channel 13 extended a helping hand to afternoon school programs around New York City. The message, emphasizing Thirteen’s initiative to help and support, was delivered during the After School Exchange workshop organized by the channel recently.

The workshop, a platform for exchange of ideas, information and resources, was only one component of Thirteen’s ongoing effort to support educational organizations.

“I’ve seen that more and more afterschool programs are emerging around NYC and around the nation. We want to show that we have resources available to them,” said Brigitte Magar Matsuoka, Director of Online Education. “Our main question is ‘Where can we help you?’”

The workshop took place for two consecutive days and was attended by approximately 60 afterschool educators. Thirteen’s staff members hosted a variety of presentations addressing issues related to afterschool programs, including the lack of parent involvement, adult literacy and volunteerism. The presenters also familiarized the audience with Thirteen’s resources, including online programming, tool kits and guides.

Macenje, “Che Che” Mazoka hosted a presentation indicative of the style followed by others. Mazoka introduced Cyberchase, an animated adventure series set to air on January of 2002, that seeks to intellectually challenge children by encouraging them to use math in their daily lives. Thirteen has produced a teacher’s guide and a tool kit describing how to facilitate Cyberchase-like workshops and activities in the classrooms.

The message behind Mazoka’s presentation? The same as that of its counterparts. Take the concept embedded in the TV series and find innovating ways to apply it to an afterschool program through the assistance of tool kits and guides provided by Thirteen.

Several of the presentations informed educators that their students can participate in contests and activities hosted by several of Thirteen’s programs. In addition, the presentations encouraged the use of technology, including visual material and the internet, and suggested ways to incorporate such materials in the curriculum.

The educators had the opportunity to discuss and exchange ideas and techniques. Several educators expressed that they particularly enjoyed the interactive segments of the workshop.

“The best thing is to exchange ideas. It is always good to see how everyone else is dealing with a situation,” said Wendy Arroyo, who represented The Brotherhood and Sisterhood Soul. “Getting someone to come out [and participate in this type of a workshop] and going back to their organization and reiterating that information is very helpful.”

According to Matsuoka, approximately 60 of the 88 organizations invited send their representatives to the workshop. Participating organizations included various divisions of the Boys & Girls Club, various branches of the New York City Public Libraries, the YMCA, the Riverdale Neighborhood House and Claremont Neighborhood Center.

“I wanted them [the organizations] to use our resources. I want them to see that we are here to support them and provide them with resources and sources when and if they need them,” said Matsuoka.

And, some of the educators certainly did.

“[The workshop gave me] the opportunity to form a better awareness of what we need to do and [informed] me of the many different resources available to us. I did not know Channel Thirteen had these resources,” said Odamis Fernandez, a representative of the Brotherhood and Sisterhood Soul.

Dr. Kim Arias from the Institute for Student Achievement agreed.

“I think [the workshop] was very helpful. It pointed me in the right direction for several important resources,” she said.