Members of the staff at the Brookland-Lakeview Empowerment Center (BLEC) 21st Century Program are teaching innovative methods to help youth achieve behavioral skills and essential character traits that are fundamental to positive relationship with classmates as well as a precursor to experiencing productive and successful lives as adults.
“We know the wonderful potential of our children and we want to continue to help them achieve,” said Chrystal Finney, an activity coordinator in the 21st Century Program and who introduced and implemented the Pillars of Character Program. “We want our students to try their best and be their best, but sometimes this simple request is not so simple.
“Teachers face the delicate balance between managing behavioral issues and maintaining order in the classroom while fostering a positive learning environment.”
In the fall of 2023, BLEC implemented The Pillar Prizes Store of Character that is designed to introduce students to character education, a major component of the BLEC 21st Century Afterschool and Summer Camp Program along with academic enrichment in reading and mathematics. The title of the store was established by the students.
Students learn about each pillar, their significance and are rewarded for good character when they show it. The six (6) pillars taught are caring, citizenship, fairness, responsibility, respect, and trustworthiness. When students demonstrate one of these good character traits, they receive a pillar for the character they are showing. At the end of the
month, students can cash in their pillars for prizes at The Pillar Prizes Store of Character.
Through this rewards system, students can redeem the pillars in The Pillar Prizes Store of Character for a toy, school supplies, jewelry, candy, gift cards and more. The pillars are distinguished by color such as red for caring and yellow for respect. The pillars are made up of cardboard with the name of the character trait on them. Each day, students are reminded about the importance of demonstrating good character and these traits are reinforced in the lesson plans.
“The concept of incentivizing students is not new,” Finney said. “I thought let’s do something similar here and allow students to earn pillars. The idea caught on quickly.”
Students can also earn additional pillars by completing an oral book report or in honor of their birthday. Finney explained that she and the 21st Century staff try to keep the program fun and exciting for the students. In addition, she said they encourage the students to select a book form the Tiny Library and then encourage them to read and provide
an oral report of the book with their peers to include sharing what the book is about, the characters in the book, and why they chose the book.
“Character building is extremely important for our students,” said Dr. Benjamin Washington, project director for the BLEC 21st Century Program. “Having the opportunity to mentor them to help in their development to becoming good citizens is our mission. The Pillars of Character Program is an important incentive we use. It keeps our students on track and inspires them on course to continue and build on their good behavior.”
Also playing a key role in the success of the program is Prime & Prim Studio of the Arts and the Columbia Children’s Theatre. Prime and Prim is exposing students to social and dining etiquette, leadership skills, and financial literacy and the Columbia Children’s Theatre is exposing students to acting, set design and playwriting.
“As a community learning center, we understand not everyone can be an A or B student, but we will not stop striving to inspire our students and we will keep passing them the ball to be their best,” Finney said.
For more information about the 21st Century Afterschool and Summer Camp Program, please contact Dr. Benjamin Washington, project director, at (803) 744-1967 or via email at bewashington@brookland.cc or to learn more about the Pillars of Character Program, please contact Mrs. Chrystal Finney, activity coordinator, at (803) 744-1967 or via email at cfinney@brookland.cc
