THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, November 27, 1994 TAG: 9411240275
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 16 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Cover Story
SOURCE: BY ROBYNE R. COOKE, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Long : 128 lines
GALVINSTON WALTON CAN spout off his ABCs without missing a beat. But that wasn't always the case. It's a skill the 7-year-old Park Elementary School student has perfected since attending the Jubilee Learning Center four days a week after school.
``I'd never been to a center before. It's fun,'' he said. ``We color. We practice our A's, C's and D's and stuff. We color. I like to draw - sharks, water, clouds and the sun.''
Even at his tender age, Galvinston has concrete goals. ``I want to be a cop when I grow up. When people do bad things and sell drugs and drink beer, I'll arrest them.''
The Jubilee Learning Center is part of Broken Chains International, an interdenominational Christian ministry organization that concentrates its efforts in low-income communities. One of the goals of the organization is to help at-risk students stay on track in school. The learning center provides educational services free of charge.
``Generally, education is not valued. It's not cool to be good in school, especially for the boys. Many of the parents are not educated themselves. Kids get behind so early and never seem to catch up,'' said Kraig Sarver, executive director of the program.
``They really need something positive to get involved in,'' he added.
The center, which opened its doors July 27, can accept about 30 children a year. Though Sarver stresses it isn't a tutoring program or a place to simply do homework, the teachers at the center can help with specific problems.
The students start at the beginning. They are broken down into classes based on what grade they're in, with one teacher for every five or six students.
Math and spelling are tackled first, giving the children a solid foundation to build on while they're in their regular school.
``We hope for these kids to achieve their best and to show them that they can do well. They can learn. They're not dumb. We want every one of them to graduate from high school and for many to go on to college,'' said Sarver.
Ronita Headen, a second-grader at Park Elementary School, said: ``We write the alphabet a lot - lower case and capital. They help us understand. I have trouble counting by tens, and they help me.''
Ronita plans to be a teacher when she grows up so she can help other kids learn to read.
Students are bused to the center on Bainbridge Boulevard each day, Monday through Thursday. Field trips, skill enhancement games and educational exercises also are part of the curriculum there. The center is able to offer teaching tailored to the needs of each student because of the low ratio of children to teachers.
``Our ratio is about one to four,'' said Sarver. ``It's nothing against the schools, but they just can't do that.''
The facility is noisy with children's voices, but there is controlled activity. The kids help each other.
``It's a special program that helps us learn better,'' said Syreeta Walston, a fifth-grader at Carver Intermediate School who attends the Jubilee Learning Center.
Sarver takes extra time with Syreeta's studies in science and social studies because the girl's dream is to be accepted into a private school. She wants to be a lawyer when she grows up.
``Sometimes I get to help the little kids and see them learn,'' Syreeta said proudly.
Colorful maps and pictures decorate the freshly painted walls of the 2,000-square-foot facility. Book bags and coats lay piled on the floor near the door, dropped in a hurry by the eager children.
Eight-year-old Gloria Brinkley stands on a chair writing words on a blackboard. She is preparing for her spelling test at school the next day.
Lisa Butler, a sixth-grader at Oscar F. Smith Middle School, said: ``I like the way they teach us. My teacher, Patrick, is pretty cool. When I was having trouble with my sentences, he helped me with my past, present and future sentences. I wish we could come here on Friday, too.''
``While we don't really focus on homework, we'd be doing them a disservice if we didn't let them do that also. But we don't want to just barely keep their heads above water,'' Sarver said.
Funding for the program came from donations made by churches, corporations and private individuals. A grant from the Department of Social Services allowed the program to begin this summer. The extensive collection of books and video equipment was mostly donated, said Sarver.
Sarver advertised for the center's services at Park Elementary School. Though the center was bombarded with responses, only 25 children were initially accepted. ``We went with existing relationships. Campostella Square is the main neighborhood targeted,'' he said.
Parents are not left out. A prerequisite to the child's acceptance into the program is a parent's commitment to be involved.
``If they're working against it at home, the kids are lost in the long run,'' Sarver said. ``If we can't somehow affect the home life, they have no hope in the future.
``These kids are paying attention,'' he said. ``They have to, because it's a privilege to be here. That's different from school - they have to be there.''
Though it is currently serving only kindergarten through sixth grade, the center will ideally expand to serve students through 12th grade, said Sarver.
To truly effect change in its participants, the learning center has to stay open to follow the progress of these students as well as take on new students, he added.
``I've made this my life,'' he said. ``We're not just stepping in here for two or three years. We're here for the long term.'' ILLUSTRATION: [Cover]
Preparing for a Brighter Future
[Color Photo]
Staff photo by STEVE EARLEY
Lisa Butler, left, whispers a question to teacher Patrick McLean as
she gets ready to ask a question in a Jeopardy-like game at Jubilee
Learning Center.
Staff photo by STEVE EARLEY
Gloria Brinkley practices her spelling words on a chalkboard at
Jubilee Learning Center, a ministry of Broken Chains that helps
at-risk students stay on track in school.
Syreeta Walston whispers to Plashette Bell, front, as they work on a
team answer in a game.
Staff photo by STEVE EARLEY
Teacher Tate Hancock helps Maresa Phelps with her reading.
FIND OUT MORE
For more information on the Jubilee Learning Center, becoming a
volunteer or making a donation, call 543-7792.
by CNB