If you want to add a mentoring component to your after-school program, the After-School Program Clearinghouse from MENTOR/National Mentoring Partnership can give you guidance and tools to get started.

National Public Radio reporter Rachel Jones attended the release of the Kids Count Data Book in Washington, DC. In addition to researchers and advocates, Jones interviewed young people who turned their lives around with the help of the right resources at the right time, proving that adolescence is not too late for life changes. She reports on what communities can do to re-connect the teens and young adults who lack the skills, family and community supports they need to take on adult responsibilities. (See, "One in Six U.S. Teens Likely to Fail as Adults.")

With the right combination of practices, young people can turn their lives around. The second edition of National Youth Employment Coalition's Education Development Network self-assessment guide illustrates how caring adult support; schooling in smaller, less anonymous settings; leadership development; positive peer groups; and rigorous education and training coupled with work experience can make a difference. Free registration required.

"Babies are born to be breastfed" is the slogan for the new U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' campaign that encourages first-time mothers to breastfeed exclusively for at least six months. The National Women's Health Information Center's free breastfeeding help line is at 1-800-994-WOMAN.

Feeding Children Better offers a list of people to contact for programs to feed your child during the summer months.

During the school year many children are provided with breakfast and lunch through federal and state programs, but when summer comes around many of these children lose the valuable nutrition they need. The Federal Foods program offers a list of qualifications and a contact person to find a program in your area to help feed your children. They also explain how you can start a program to feed children and get funding from the federal government for it.

Parenthood.com has offered an overview of different summer camps and how to choose the perfect one for your child's needs and desires. There are many camps, all offering different specialties, so it is important to research the different kinds and determine the type of camp you want your child to attend. It also offers a quiz that determines if your child is ready for overnight camp.

The Federal Citizen Information Center has offered a list of helpful hints for choosing the perfect summer camp for your child, and how to find all
the camps that are out there.

Here is a great, creative list of activities for children of all ages. Children can create their own garden or design their own tee shirt; this article offers inexpensive, inventive ideas to help your children get through the long summer days.

Creativity and independence are great skills that children can develop in the summer when schedules are less hectic. Here is a list of easy, inexpensive, summer crafts a child can do almost entirely on his or her
own.