Attention

All staff members are responsible for a small group of participants. This responsibility includes monitoring grades, contacting and building interaction with students' teachers and parents and working intensly with students who are struggling.

This system enables the Somersworth Youth Safe Haven to give as much attention to every participant as possible as well as monitor and track every students' grades and achievement in the most efficient way.

Motivation

Participants earn 5 Safe Haven Dollars each day they successfully complete their homework.

Participant's Safe Haven Dollars are deposited in their Safe Haven Bank Accounts where they earn 1 Safe Haven Dollar for every 20 they have in their account.

Interest accrues weekly

Safe Haven Dollars can be spent on monthly field trips or in the occasional Safe Haven Store.
Staff are always on hand and involved in helping youth get their homework completed. Above are Middle Schoolers getting help from staff and also helping each other.

Monday - Friday
2:30 - 4:30 pm

Our Homework Lab is a great place for youth to come and do their homework. All youth are required to do their homework before they are allowed to participate in any of our recreational activities.

Staff & Volunteers check each youth's homework to ensure that it is all complete and done to the best of their ability.

Middle School and High School students are required to bring their agenda books to Homework Lab and each assignment is checked and tracked by Safe Haven Staff.

If a student has no homework, we encourage them to read for a minimum of 20 minutes. This way, participants can still earn their Safe Haven Dollars and participate in the recreation programs that follow homework lab. Read more about the Reading Program.
K - 4 Room

5 - 12 Room
The SYSH Homework Lab is divided into two seperate age appropriate spaces, one for Maple Wood/ Hilltop elementary students (Grades K-4) and the other for Middle/ High school students (Grades 5 - 12).

The Internet is a great resource, but it can also be difficult to find what you are looking for. Experienced adults help youth find exactly what they need.

The Homework Lab building is equipped with broadband internet and 5 computers that are available to all participants who need them.

Participants use the computers to research projects, look up facts and type papers. Many students have explored new ways of presenting their materials including building web pages and Powerpoint presentations.

The SYSH encourages students to think outside of the normal everyday typed paper when they have special projects.