So many people have been asking about Mudpuppy and other Back to School Resources! Here is all the info you need!

MUDPUPPY!

Guest / Guests Names: Taylor Coleman

Company: Mudpuppy

Number for Consumers to call: 817-731-2581

Segment Contact Person: Dina Lanier
Phone numbers: 817-846-3887
Email: Queenlanier59@sbcglobal.net

If you can buy clothes that still look brand new for 1/3 of the price, why not save money and buy them at an upscale resale store such as the Mudpuppy in Ft.Worth.

Question. 1
How long has Mudpuppy been in business ? Mudpuppy has been in business almost 30 years. We have customers come in and say their mom use to buy their clothes at the Mudpuppy when they were a child.

Question 2.Do you have special sale days? In addition to out twice a year ½ price sales, we have 25% off the first Tuesday of each month

Question 3 What brand clothes do you have ? We carry name brand clothes such as Gap, Gymboree, Old Navy, Seven for All Mankind , Burberry, Orient Express, Amanda Remembered ,Catamini, as well as school uniforms.

Question 4.What is the price range on clothes ? It depends on the brand and condition of the item . For instance, a Gymboree shirt sells for 6.99 and a complete Gymboree outfit sells for 12.99. Smocked dresses range from 22.99 to 39.99.

Question 5.What are the guidelines for consignors wanting to sell their clothes ?
We go by appointment and consignors get 40 % of what the item sells for and we send checks out every 60 days.

Question 6.Where is the Mudpuppy located?
Mudpuppy is located in Ft.Worth at 4935 S.Hulen across from Hulen Mall and we are open Monday thru Saturday 10 to 6.

DALLAS AFTERSCHOOL NETWORK

Guest / Guests Names: Tanya McDonald, director, Dallas Afterschool Network; Perry Barber, barber, Holy Hands Barber Shop ; Caroline Culver (age 11) Dealey Montessori Academy, 6th grade; Daniel Garcia (age 9) Sidney Lanier Expressive Arts Vanguard, 4th Grade

Website: www.dallasafterschoolnetwork.org

Number for Consumers to call: DASN: 214.306.8400

Segment Contact Person: Jeanne Culver
Phone numbers: 214.352.5980 office 214.912.2163 cell
Email: jeanneculver@sbcglobal.net

Questions:

List 6 questions (with your reply to each question) that you'd like to cover during the segment.

What is the most important point you want to make?

Children and Teens being in a safe, engaged and enriching supervised environment during afterschool time is of enormous benefit to them, their families and the community at large. Visit www.dallasafterschoolnetwork.org for help on how to find a provider, information on where you can send donations to help other Dallas children and the importance of afterschool care in Dallas.

Question. 1
Why is afterschool care for children important?

Afterschool programs keep children safe and provide them with structured and supervised activity. Children in afterschool programs:
-Are two times less likely to use drugs
-Are one third less likely to become teen parents
-Have improved school attendance and do their homework more often and better
-Perform better academically, socially and behaviorally
-Gives parents peace of mind about what their children are doing afterschool
-Assist employers by parents being able to focus on their jobs knowing their children are safe and helps improve the workforce of tomorrow

Question 2.
What should parents look for in an afterschool program?

There are many different kinds of after school programs - arts, recreation, academic and faith based - but the best offer fun and a positive learning environment. You might want to consider the following in your search:

• The program develops your child's social skills

• Teaches your child to respect differences and cultural diversity

• Teaches your child to work and play cooperatively with children from other backgrounds and neighborhoods

• Provides age-appropriate activities to reinforce learning at school and fosters a love of learning.

The best way to get details about the best programs is to schedule a visit during the time that the program is in operation. You will be able to gain first hand knowledge about the program and see the staff and students in action. During your visit, be sure to think about and ask the following questions:

• Does the staff consist of responsible, caring adults?

• Do they conduct criminal background checks on staff and volunteers?

Question 3
How can parents find an afterschool provider for their children?

Go to www.dallasafterschoolnetwork.org and click on "afterschool programs locator map". Or call 214-631-2273 for assistance.

Question 4.
Are there enough afterschool programs in Dallas to serve all the children who need care?

No, there are approximately 135,000 children in Dallas County who need afterschool care. Unfortunately there are only enough slots to serve 36% of those children leaving over 86,000 children unsupervised. And that number doesn't take into account the fact that many of the available slots are not in the areas of greatest need. By 2010 that shortage will be increase to 97,000 spaces needed!!

Question 5.
What can I do to help?

You can support the local afterschool providers in your schools and communities. You can encourage legislators to provide funding for afterschool programs. You can donate funds and supplies to afterschool programs. You can give your time by volunteering to tutor children in afterschool programs. Go to www.dallasafterschoolnetwork.org to find out about specific and immediate needs of our member organizations.

Question 6.
If families need assistance getting ready for back-to-school, where can they turn for help?

There are many social service agencies in our community who can provide assistance - the best way to locate one near you is to call 211.

Final Thought to end segment with:
Visit Dallas Afterschool Network's website to find afterschool providers that match your needs or call 214-631-2273 for assistance. If you want to find afterschool care for your children and are afraid you can't afford it or don't know where to look, there are resources to help you. Our website is www.dallasafterschoolnetwork.org.

YOUTHWORLD

Guest / Guests Names: Darla Shirley

Titles: Director

Company: Youth World

Website: www.youthworld.org

Number for Consumers to call: 214-948-0606

Segment Contact Person: Darla Shirley
Phone numbers: 817-800-2188
Email: darla@youthworld.org

Youth World is impacting "at-risk" kids in the community through education, music & life-skill programs and helps relieve family economic burden.

Question. 1
When & Why was Youth World founded? Youth World has been meeting needs in Dallas since 1998. We discovered going into apartments and homes that everything the child owned could fit in a paper sack. These were not children in projects or in need of adoption. Maybe a working mom making too much to qualify for welfare & not enough to make ends meet. Or maybe a parent with an addiction. Kids who fall through the cracks in a since. We knew something more should be done so a warehouse was leased on Davis & Edgefield in 1998.

Question 2.
What are some of the ways Youth World helps with Back-To-School needs?
We realized that financially struggling families with several school kids are not able to go buy new school shoes. Doesn't make since to return to school in shoes too little or worn out by an older sibling. Youth World began an annual Shoe Ride event in 2005 that invites sponsors to buy a child a pair of school shoes and bring them to the Shoe Ride event and personally give the shoes to that child. We have been able to get 250-300 children a new pair of shoes each August and hope to help even more.
1. Youth World gives back-packs and notebooks full of school supplies to children in need so that they are not showing up on the first day of school ill equipped or maybe even embarrassed.
2. We have a reading program during the summer to encourage kids to read everyday. For some it hones their skills and for others it boosts their confidence that they can read.
Over 7000 books have been read in our library.

Question 3
What other major programs to help these kids for school?
1. Youth World has had the Summer Feeding Program for the last 11 summers. Hundreds of kids come in for DISD free lunch. Youth World is one of the largest feeding sites in the summer. We offer 20 computers, games, guests, life-skill lessons, etc. while they stay free. Over 38,000 lunches have been served and hope to help hundreds more with the completion of the "Build A Future" project. The summer program keeps kids in a learning environment and relieves family economic burden,
2. Youth World friends and sponsors always remember the children on all the holidays whether giving turkey dinners, Easter baskets, and free carnival. At Christmas we take approx. 140 kids Christmas shopping.
3. Free guitar lessons are given weekly to any kids in the community. Music builds the mind, math skills, confidence, etc. for school. Many parents cannot pay for extra activities and classes.

Question 4.
What is the "Build A Future" project where kids received the new school shoes?
Youth World is out of room in the old dilapidated warehouse we are in. The "Build A Future" project is a 25,000 sq. ft. building that will allow Youth World to invite hundreds more kids to participate and receive the help they need. It's in south Dallas and about 60% complete and looking for businesses and friends to help complete this project.

Question 5.
How is Youth World funded?
Youth World is a non-profit faith-based organization. We have relied on donations from community businesses, small grants such as Ronald McDonald and friends who want to help kids instead of complain about them.

Question 6.
How can people get involved or contact Youth World?
Our website is www.youthworld.org
They may email me at darla@youthworld.org
Youth World's phone # is 214-948-0606

Final Thought to end segment with:
Youth World is thankful that we were able to help so many back-to- school needs this season and hope to help hundreds more next season.

---