History
Monarch Summer Camp
In the summer of 1994, the Children's Outreach Program began the Monarch After-School Program in addition to the Monarch Summer Camp. Both programs were in operation through the summer of 1998. During the school year, the After-School Program was available to all school aged children living in the complex. From 5pm to 7pm each Monday through Friday, the program provided one-on-one instruction and homework assistance, special events, and field trips to homeless youth. Although primarily focused on the children's academic success, the program was concerned with the difficulties faced by young people who have been exposed to the effects of homelessness. The difficulties identified included the following: peer pressure to engage in gang activity, failure to excel in traditional school environment resulting in below grade level work or failing one or more grades, exposure to violence in the home and the community at large, and lack of stable adult supervision and support (Monarch Butterfly After-School Youth Program Guide, 1997). Furthermore, the program was designed to promote the individual child's sense of self-esteem and self worth by 1) increasing the child's ability to succeed in school, and 2) promoting positive relationships for these youth by engaging parents, mentors, community volunteers, schools, and various 'at-risk-youth' outreach programs in the community (Monarch Butterfly After-School Youth Program Guide, 1997).
In May of 1998, the Monarch After-School Program came to a sudden halt as a result of two devastating events. The Monarch Apartment Complex was purchased by the City of Austin, deemed unfit for habitation, and closed 'temporarily' for repairs. The complex never reopened. Families living in the complex were displaced, and the program was left without a facility. Furthermore, the Children's Program Coordinator, Mennonite Volunteer, Melani Guengerich, having finished her term of service, left the program at approximately the same time. The Foundation was unable to find a replacement, as VISTA volunteers could only serve on a 'new' program, and could not be used to sustain an existing program. Furthermore, no new funds were made available, despite evidence that program coordinators requested annually that a children's program coordinator be written into the budget.
In September of 1998, a VISTA volunteer filled in for a few months...