Collecting the PIECES that matter most.
After school programs can be utilized to serve more purpose and meaning to balance out the busy lives of parents, prosperity of our communities and the future of our youth.
The Problem
In today’s world, children in our communities suffer from having an organized and established program for their development and growth. On the contrary, in current times, parents don’t have the energy and tools to keep track of their children overall health and success. Especially, after a long days of work in the rat race. That is why at PIECES is crucial and viable solution to parents, children and our communities in our current and future world.
Current Solution
Parents have resorted to having their children being taken care of baby sitters and caregivers for very high and unbearable prices, while they struggle and strive to work long hours. This is a solution for some households who can afford it, but as for the majority of parents, paying thousands of dollars every month is not an option. This leads to children being stuck in their with grandparents, siblings and sometimes kids unmonitored and left alone while other kids end up in the streets.
A New Solution
PIECES is an evidenced-based, trauma-informed, culturally responsive Therapeutic After-School incentive Program with an application that provides support and respite for youth and families in our community.
The name “PIECES” was inspired by the 7 dimensions of wellness and focuses on the Physical, Intellectual, Emotional, Creative, Environmental, and Social aspects of our lives. These PIECES are essential for our overall health and well being is a window and a world full of opportunities for our youth.
Physical
The first goal of our PIECES program is to build a secure foundation by starting with our physical body. We strive to help youth find enjoyment in exercising by exposing them to an array of activities.
The Physical piece includes: Basketball, Volleyball, Wiffle Ball, Soccer, Dance, Yoga/Tai Chi, Biking, Fitness classes, Hiking, and Labor.
Intellectual
The Intellectual goal is all about learning the necessary skills for success as well as the importance of staying persistent. Participants will receive support with their educational and vocational pursuits from helpful and knowledgeable staff and develop the skills to succeed.
The Intellectual piece includes: Education, Employment, Independent Living Skills, Computers, and Skilled Labor.
Emotional
The Emotional piece has to do with mental health support and guidance. Our Masters level clinicians will meet with participants and families for counseling and therapy sessions. Parenting classes will be readily available to help educate and support caregivers while also providing child care throughout the meeting. This crucial area allows caregivers reprieve while also providing them with essential tools to support their families.
The Emotional piece includes: Individual/Group/Family Therapy, Parenting Classes, and a Day Care.
Creative
The Creative area is about all of the various forms of art. Participants will be able to explore an array of activities and have a chance to showcase their skills around campus through murals, art and talent shows, plays, fundraisers other community gatherings
The creative piece includes: Writing/Poetry, Painting, Drama, Music, Dance, Photography, Design/Fashion, and Building/Landscaping.
Environmental
The Environmental piece is all about nature and animals. Participants will be able harvest and cook their own food. They will also have a chance to work with animals and help and explore the environment.
The Environmental piece includes: Volunteering, Recycling/Repurposing, Gardening, working with animals, and Cooking/Baking
Social
This Social area is all about entertainment connection. Participants will learn effective communication skills and teamwork by playing games and helping to create community events involving some of the other pieces.
The Social piece includes: Team Building, Games, Gatherings, Fundraising Events, and Shows.
Its Benefits
At PIECES, students will be working with case managers, therapists, and counselors along with their fellow after school classmates in an incentive driven program that will help them lay down the foundations to their future success through a point earning basis system which is all tracked and communicated through PIECES IOS application and website. Parents along with students can communicate, schedule, reminders and keep track record of the progress in attaining all the PIECES. Collecting all the different pieces by successfully earning certain point brackets will be stored in the students Bank of Pieces account via IOS/web.The PIECES app/website and program will help get the word out about the importance of having a balanced life through focuses on all the different pieces. Successfully achieving the PIECES will also hone earning and saving skills as this rewards them to purchase prizes in a central PIECES portal. The PEICES app will give regarding the different things to do to attain those pieces. PIECES portal will include physical activities/events, intellectual classes, emotional support, creative events and connections, environmental cleanups,/gardening tips, and social events.
Recently, a PEST analysis was done on PIECES In order to avoid any possible obstacles while providing more clarity around the holistic approach and outcomes of the program as it becomes a reality for our communities nationwide in all schools. The following included in the PEST analysis but not limited to:
Politically
PIECES will help supports our mental health system which is being handled very poorly. With a program like this, there will be a more focus on our youth and families that are in need. This will also increase focus on our education system as well as the increase of independent living skills and knowledge to our future youth. PIECES will also have an impact on the environment through various clean ups and environmental awarenesses.
Economically
PIECES program will help improve schools by utilizing the participants in beautifying the campus through creative and structural means. The environmental pieces will help schools grow their own food to provide sustenance fo the program and communities we live in. The cleanups will also provide financial relief in various areas due to the heavy increase in volunteers.
Socially
This program bring communities together with talent shows, barbecues, sports, and other events to showcase the talents of the participants and create a. Hunger community bond. The values within PEICES will expand throughout society.
Technologically
The point system pithing PIECES will showcase some of the technological advances in terms of key card for participants to track their progress and incentives. As technology continues to grow and be a huge part of our future world, participants will also gain valuable knowledge though the living skills piece in terms of the Tech world.
A different approach
I firmly believe The PIECES program will positively contribute to our communities and future world through its one of kind and uniquely structured model. Parents will have more spare time to focus on their own health and well being while having peace of mind knowing their children are being looked after by a selfless non-profit organization that truly caters to its communities we live in. Children will be honed with skill sets for success in all aspects of life while balancing a healthy and positive outlook in a safe environment.
And all of this will be made possible within hands reach of communication reach through the application Children will skills to earn, save and become more successful caring, contributing, citizens in the future.
User Inputs
After speaking to different people of all backgrounds and ages, I have come to even more confidence that PIECES will benefit the children of today, who will one day change and shape the world of our future.
“PIECES is a wonderful after school program, one of a kind! It re-stores hope in parents like myself to have our own time. support but a support, confidence, and a secure place of belonging children of all ages”-Adam Adel (QA at Wish, and resident of San Francisco has a 13 year old son and an 8 year old daughter.)
“An after school program would definitely make my life easier for my wife and myself. We would have time for ourselves and the assurance that they were overseen somewhere where they can have fun, yet sharpened up for whats in store for them when they become adults. And we can work together with our kid, see his progress on an app while being able to communicate with the instructors!!!I wish someone had come up with this idea a long time ago!”-(John Fung and wife Sandy (tourists from Australia during my interview at Union Square in San Francisco, CA).
“ This program provides all the help families and children need! The application and the website will save so much time for the parents and keep the students engaged for track keeping purposes on their donated prizes! Sign my daughter up! (laughing) — Kate Valeros (mother of three and prior native resident of Philadelphia)
User Journey
To make things easier and accessible between teachers, therapists, counselors, students and their parents, I have created a User Journey. My user journey consists of the first page showing pieces of a puzzle that come together while loading. On this same page the user will have the option to login as a returned user or sign up for a PIECES account membership. Teachers and parents can have one location where they can keep track of progress for the students success in collecting the different PIECES.
Some of the main features in the PEICES app and website are included in the next set of wire frames. Students will now for the first time be able to keep track of how many points they have received in each category of and how many pieces have been collected (Physical, Intellectual, Environmental, Creative, Emotional, and Social). Data will be displayed in colorful and playful bars. If and when students have a collected a piece then they will have an allowance to purchase different goods (electronics, back packs, clothing apparel, etc…This will keep the fun going for the kids and engage parents to see their kids progress which in essence will promote financial stability in the long run for the student). In addition, the settings option bar in the top right hand corner will allow ease of navigation to such tools.
Safety is always a priority. Another great feature in the app allows for parents to have the ability to be able to locate their children while they are away. This ensures children are being not fleeing off elsewhere and/or lost at given time.
Wireframe
The continued
PIECES will help children nationwide, learn and sharpen the important skills of attaining all the 7 PIECES of life, through various support systems. The unique model of PIECES non- profit after school program is that it serves the families of all classes our society. Every child and parent should have the opportunity to have a recourse and a place of peace.
It is my mission to carry on the PIECES after school support program with my long time friend Chad whom I have known since elementary school to carry out this mission. Along with the PIECES application, the right marketing and donations given, we will make PIECES into a place of relief for our future- one piece at a time.
