Since the weather is cooling down, you can add a little sunshine and warmth to a stranger with these simple ideas.

As parents, donors, and supporters of Operation Xcel, we understand the importance of quality after-school programs. Donors and sponsors of students who currently attend or have attended in the past recognize that not all children are able to attend afterschool programs and encourage others to join in the fight for other affordable or free programs. We will take part in the Lights on Afterschool Lightbulb Challenge to bring attention to the need.

Let’s talk about five strategies to keep your resilience sharp, so you’re ready to handle any obstacle life throws your way.

Today marks the International Day of the Girl Child 2024, a significant occasion dedicated to acknowledging the potential and dynamic influence of young girls within their communities tackling global issues. Anthony Blinken, the U.S. Secretary of State, has recently introduced the U.S. Global Strategy to Empower Adolescent Girls. This groundbreaking initiative involves a collaborative effort between private, state, and federal agencies to empower girls globally and dismantle the barriers that impede their full participation in public and social life.

In alignment with this vision, Operation Xcel, a diverse and inclusive nonprofit organization, is fervently investing in the future of girls and young women. The organization strategically provides social-emotional learning (SEL) and equal opportunities to every girl in the program, nurturing their abilities in STEAM fields and preparing them to become catalysts for positive change in their communities and future careers.

It is important for every employee, including those in leadership positions, to have a good work-life balance to create a positive and productive work environment. When employees have a balanced life, there are fewer absences, lower turnover, happier employees, and greater engagement in the organization's success. It is beneficial for all organizations to provide spaces at work that help employees relax and de-stress. World Mental Health Day is a time when people can take a collective look at how well the mental health of all people is respected and where it is placed on the hierarchy of organizational needs.

Let's talk about five ways to spread joy and positivity everywhere you go, that you can practice every day!

Operation Xcel utilizes social and emotional learning (SEL) strategies to address negative perspectives and promote emotional competence in youth who participate in its programs. Children who are not emotionally competent are at risk for mishandling issues that may lead to suicidal ideations. In North Carolina, Suicide is the second and third leading cause of death among children between ten and fourteen and fifteen to seventeen-year-olds, respectively. In North Carolina, various mental health organizations recommend a list of things parents should do to help steer their children away from contemplating suicide. This blog shares some information from pediatric researchers who suggest that parents and caregivers are the first to recognize and address suicide risk factors. They also highlight the reason that there is not enough research to have better suicide prevention programs across all cultures and communities.

No matter what kind of stress we’re experiencing, the better we can learn to cope in a healthy way, the more successfully we’ll be able to manage.

Whether you have a little or a lot of free time, there’s no better way to spend it than by getting out there and making a difference.

Sleep serves a number of essential functions for the human body. Check out these tips to up your sleep game.

National Hispanic Heritage Month is recognized and celebrated from September 15th through October 15th. We celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 to October 15) to honor the achievements and contributions of Hispanic-American leaders who have inspired others to succeed.

Operation Xcel celebrates all the contributions and participation of our Hispanic/Latino American children whom we are blessed to mentor, tutor, and coach toward their excellent futures!

Click the title to learn more about the significance of Hispanic Heritage Month.

Children cannot have or read enough books. Having books and reading them has all the benefits of a well-balanced life. Getting a headstart in reading books before a child starts kindergarten significantly improves their lives. Limiting the time children spend on social media and increasing their time reading books is an ideal way to help them socialize and learn about new people, places, and things. Operation Xcel recognizes the value of reading books in the lives of its students. That's why Operation Xcel's programming incorporates reading nooks or rooms at each site.

To help you make your next vacay the ultimate experience, we put together this list of amazing trip ideas to use as inspiration.

SEL provides a foundation for positive, long-term effects on kids, adults, and communities, from improving problem-solving and self-discipline to managing emotions. As a result, children thrive, schools succeed, workplaces improve, and society becomes stronger, all thanks to social-emotional learning. Operation Xcel recognizes the value of SEL and its impact on their present and future lives.  Operation Xcel incorporates SEL in its programming at all grade levels. 

Hobbies are a healthy, relaxing way to spend our free time in ways we enjoy—but with the added perk of mental, physical and social health benefits that television and smartphones simply can’t match.

In the hustle and bustle of life, it's all too easy to put our health on the back burner. Check out these 10 tips below for small changes you can make today that can have a big impact on your health for years to come.

What is National Be Kind to Humankind Week?
National Be Kind to Humankind Week is an annual observance that takes place from August 25th to 31st. It is a time when individuals and communities come together to prioritize acts of kindness and compassion. The week serves as a reminder of the importance of treating one another with love, empathy, and understanding, and it encourages people to make a positive difference in the world. These attributes are what Operation Xcel supports and encourages for our staff, students, and parents.

Back to School Month has been recognized since the 1960s throughout August.  Back to School Month is a time of preparation and transition. Some school systems have already started classes, and others begin later in the month; other states’ schools welcome their students back after Labor Day.  No matter the date, preparation for returning to school can be a time of high anxiety.  Back to School Month is a time to reflect and focus on making the return as exciting as possible. Some organizations offer ideas that may relieve anxiety and help families prepare for school with as little to no stress as possible. Here are some fun ideas that may be rewarding for students and their families during this back-to-school season. 

Autumn’s beautiful weather and fun holidays make it easy to find volunteering opportunities in your area. We’ve come up with a few ideas to get you started.

The teachers at Operation Xcel grasp the concept of student engagement in learning. They use creativity in their teaching presentations, demonstrating to students that learning is not simply absorbed from a book's black-and-white pages. Operation Xcel teachers walk out our vision and core values by “creating a strong foundation for the development of lifelong learners.”

August is Family Fun Month, dedicated to families spending intentional time on enjoyable activities together. Nowadays, families are busier, making it challenging to find quality time together. It's rare for families to unplug and focus on spending time together. Many people spend a significant amount of time on social media, looking for more friends and a larger following. However, research shows that spending too much time on social media can make people feel lonelier. There are many ways to reduce excessive social media use and combat the potential loneliness it creates. Spending time with family and friends is a valuable way to break the cycle of loneliness and prolonged internet use. 

Have you been thinking about expanding your family to add a new furry friend? Look no further than your nearest animal shelter.

Whether you’re headed to the Gulf Coast or the Grand Canyon, we’ve compiled a list of items you’ll need once you’ve hit the road.

If you’re not a frequent reader, you might be missing out on some important perks.

With just a month left of summer, it’s time to take advantage of all it has to offer. Check out these fun ideas to celebrate the end of the sunshine season!

If you have something or some time to give, consider doing so today. Here’s a list of easy ways you can give something away today.

On July 27, 2024, Operation Xcel will host a Back-to-School Information & Resource Fair at First Baptist Church at 1000 W. Friendly Avenue in Greensboro. This event is open to all parents and students in grades K-8 who attend schools in Guilford County and Stokesdale, and plan to attend Operation Xcel’s Operation Homework program in the Fall. 

Farmers markets have so much more to offer than just the sights and smells. The following is a list of just a few reasons you should visit your local farmers market this summer.

Operation Xcel is an intentionally supportive community where individual differences are shared and embraced without judgment.  This is the type of healthy support system in which people realize what they most long for—acceptance without biases.  Operation Xcel makes deliberate efforts to ensure that all its employees involve themselves in communities different than their own to gain an appreciation for their similarities and differences.  Such an appreciation, along with a strong sense of community and motivated support systems, are essential to secure the health of all individuals including BIPOC.  Unfortunately, even amid connected communities, some people remain adversely affected by previous trauma and dispersions whose healing is difficult to attain. It is when the community realizes that someone continues to act from the premise of pain that it is time to do a mental health assessment to determine if it would be beneficial for that person or people to get professional help.

Planning an Independence Day party shouldn’t have to be stressful. We’ve compiled a list of everything you need—from food to activities—to throw a bash your friends will rave about.

If you’re looking for a way to get outside while also improving your whole self, gardening may be the hobby for you.

At Operation Xcel, we care about every family connected to our organization, as well as those who are not yet connected. We want everyone to have a fun, memorable, and, above all, safe summer. We hope that these summer safety tips will help all families. We look forward to hearing the stories from the students and parents at the Summer camps and when they return to the afterschool program in the Fall.

In June 2005, the House of Representatives unanimously adopted H. Con. Res. 71, which was sponsored by the Democratic (CA) Congresswoman Barbara Lee. This resolution acknowledged the significance of Caribbean people and their descendants in the history and culture of the United States. During Caribbean-American Heritage Month (CAHM), all Americans have the opportunity to celebrate the remarkable achievements and dreams of the millions of individuals of Caribbean descent who currently call the United States home.

You know volunteering has a positive influence (make friends, build connections, gain experiences, etc.), but did you know that it can actually assist your health?

Immigrant Heritage Month is an opportunity for us as Americans to reflect on our heritage. It's a chance to think about where our ancestors lived before coming to America, the language and culture of their homeland, and the unique aspects of their ethnicity. These are questions that recent immigrants can easily answer, but they may be more challenging for older individuals. Immigrant Heritage Month can be a fresh start, a time to learn more about our heritage, embrace diversity, be more inclusive, and try to get to know our neighbors whose heritage is different from our own. It's a time to recognize and appreciate the valuable contributions immigrants have made to the United States.

There are always ways to give back to others around you, even including the presents you buy. Here are some ideas for Father’s Day gifts that give back.

Operation Xcel offers its 3 Steps Ahead summer program, which is not all fun and games. Instead, it is a STEAM-focused enrichment camp that helps children maintain their academic success from the last school year and prepares them for the next grade because students do not have the memory of elephants. Operation Xcel offers 3 Steps Ahead to help students avoid the ‘Summer Slide’ with the bonus of fun and games.

With the help of a bicycle, we can take better care of the environment, our physical bodies and even spend time together. So how can you mark this momentous occasion?

Each day gun violence takes the lives of 120 Americans and many more who are wounded in the United States. Wear Orange in honor of Hadiya Pendleton and the 43,000 others who died and almost 76,000 who were shot but survive every year because of gun violence in America. Wear orange to demand a future without gun violence in America.

As the students learn to solve problems independently using their acquired skills, they are more apt to solve other complex problems using the same skills having learned by doing them.  This project-based learning is crucial in a fast-paced global economy where students will work at some point.  Preparing students for future leaders in a global economy requires more than teaching them to pass a test.  Future-focused learning requires that students acquire problem-solving skills and continue to cast them into necessary tools and skills for critical thinking to solve global issues where they will, one day, attain profitable careers as future leaders, should they choose.

Memorial Day means much more than time off from work and hosting a barbecue, so if you want to get involved this weekend, check out these great ways to give back.

This blog emphasizes the importance of family engagement in the education of their child and how healthy communication between schools and parents can result in optimal academic, attendance, and behavioral outcomes for students. A comprehensive review of the literature on family engagement in early childhood reveals a universal interest in educational success among families from diverse socioeconomic, educational, and racial/ethnic backgrounds. When provided with the necessary information and guidance, these families could effectively support their child’s learning at home and school.

Art galleries are a beneficial component of any neighborhood. Check out some of these ways art galleries are important and why you should visit them this summer.

If you’re new to the tea game, here’s a breakdown of some of the main types of healthy teas and why you should start drinking them right away.

A report released by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) in 2020 titled "AAFA Rolls Out National Roadmap to Address Serious Asthma Disparities Impacting Black and Hispanic Americans" shows that African and Hispanic Americans have the highest mortality rates among those with asthma (AAFA, 2020).[i] Latinos of Puerto Rican heritage have the highest rates of asthma.

Operation Xcel is committed to providing a comprehensive approach to the programs we offer to underserved and at-risk students in Guilford County. The majority of our students come from African American and Hispanic-American communities. We are deeply invested in the well-being of all our students, and we strive for equality in the programs and care we provide, especially for those who lack resources. As a community, we believe targeted interventions, scientific research, and effective policies can improve asthma outcomes and promote health equity.

Children need to know that it is 'okay to not be okay'! Getting a child the help that he/she needs to deal with childhood traumas and insecurities may prevent them from carrying the residue of the events into their adulthood. Parents, when was the last time you gave your child a mental wellness check-up? May 9th is National Children's Mental Health Awareness Day. Operation Xcel reminds parents of its significance and is a reminder to schedule a little time to have that heart-to-heart chat with your child/children.

Storytelling is powerful, and it has enormous benefits in store for you and those around you. Today we’re going to talk about how storytelling can impact your life.

Did you know that what you do to move your body regularly promotes a healthier body and increases your energy afterward?  Starting and staying physically active reduces a person’s chances of acquiring sicknesses, especially avoidable conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, stroke, and heart attack.  Physical activity increases one's heart rate when exercising and lowers one's risk for these diseases.  It is not necessary to participate in high-energy, high-impact sports to improve one’s health.  One of the best forms of physical exercises with the greatest benefit to the body is low impact and requires no special equipment. Can you guess what that activity is?

May Day is a time to come together with family and friends and create festive crafts. If you’re looking for a way to get started, check out these 5 cool craft ideas to celebrate.

This month aims to increase awareness about stress, its negative effects and how to relieve it. If you’re experiencing stress, keep these ideas in mind for how to relax.