Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, May 26, 1995 TAG: 9505260047
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
She either stays with her brothers and sisters in their apartment in the Hurt Park housing complex or plays outside in the parking lot.
"We don't have anything to do," she said.
That's the day the Junior League of Roanoke Valley conducts its after-school program. Soon, Shane will have all those activities five days a week.
In September, the Junior League will expand its program to a fully licensed free after-school program at Hurt Park School.
It will finance the expanded program with a $10,000 national award from the Association of Junior Leagues International and BMW of North America for the league's role in Project H.O.P.E., Hurt Park Organization for Prevention and Education.
The Roanoke Valley league beat out 45 similar groups across the country for the grand prize, which was announced Thursday. The league was cited for its work in dealing with the root causes of teen-age pregnancy and other problems in the Hurt Park neighborhood.
The league has also received a $20,000 community development block grant from the city of Roanoke for the after-school program.
Suzn Head, the league's president, said research shows that most experimentation by children with drugs, alcohol and sex occurs between 3 and 5 p.m.
"The Junior League will now be able to provide daily regulated child care for the residents of the Hurt Park housing project during those hours when the children are most vulnerable to these risks," Head said. "This money will make a difference."
Several Hurt Park children at Thursday's news conference were excited about the five-day-a-week program.
"It will give us something to do," said Clifford Morris, a fourth-grader at Hurt Park Elementary, next to the housing complex. "They help you with your homework, and now we can have that every day."
Donald Williams, a fifth-grader, said it will be good for the children. They can have fun and do their homework, he said.
The league will operate the program in partnership with the YMCA, which will provide two full-time staffers and ensure that the program meets licensing standards. Besides the funding, league members will provide at least 1,800 volunteer hours in the next year working with the children. Every member will be required to volunteer some time there.
League volunteers will remain in charge of the after-school program, help the full-time workers plan programs and field trips, oversee finances and conduct projects to benefit Hurt Park families. They will also work with Planned Parenthood to conduct sex-education classes in Hurt Park.
The after-school program, now held at the Hurt Park Community Center, will be moved to the cafeteria and gymnasium at Hurt Park School. It will provide after-school care for at least 25 children in the first year.
Janet Frantz, marketing vice president for the league, said the expanded after-school program fits nicely with its goal of seeking affordable child care in the community. She said surveys have shown that affordable child care is a big need in the Roanoke Valley.
Project H.O.P.E. was begun three years ago by the Roanoke Redevelopment and Housing Authority and the Better Beginnings Coalition, a group of public and private organizations, including the Junior League.
The original intent was to respond to the teen pregnancy problem, but the program was expanded to address other issues. Now the goal is to help Hurt Park families build self-esteem and become more self-sufficient while reducing teen pregnancy, school dropout rates and substance abuse.
The Junior League has invested more than $21,000 and 3,500 volunteer hours in the project. Volunteers have worked with teachers in tutoring and mentoring and conducted programs to expand educational and cultural opportunities.
by CNB