Support for Community Program
By: Kevin Flanigan
Updated: April 29, 2010
ALTOONA, BLAIR COUNTY - Operation Our Town is a community based effort that is well known for assisting local law enforcement agencies in their battle against illegal drugs.
But Our Town also provides a lot of support for various community programs that are trying to make a difference in the Altoona area.
That's why the outreach effort is supporting a home grown after school program at the Second Avenue Methodist Church that has been in place for more than a dozen years.
The program is called the R.O.C.K. and that stands for Reaching Out to Community Kids. Organizers say that is exactly what they're doing with the effort.
Every Wednesday afternoon and evening, the Second Avenue United Methodist Church in Altoona fills up with dozens of young people involved in the after school Rock program.
The program provides participants with a hot meal, recreational opportunities and various classes . About 120 school aged kids have taken part in the rock program this year. The community outreach seems popular with them because in addition to providing a positive messages, the program gives the youngsters a good place to gather.
The program targets the economically disadvantaged. So keeping its doors open requires outside financial support. That's where Operation Our Town has been able to help with annual donations. Also helping to make this program work are the dedicated volunteers who turn out each week to to steer young people in the right direction.
Program supporters and the young people they serve agree there are good reasons to keep coming back week after week. Supporters say the Rock is already making a difference and they are determined the program should grow The people behind the Rock program say the recent troubles in the economy have made it difficult for them to attract the donations they need to support this program.
That's why the financial support from Operation Our Town has been particularly helpful in keeping the doors to the Rock open.
But Our Town also provides a lot of support for various community programs that are trying to make a difference in the Altoona area.
That's why the outreach effort is supporting a home grown after school program at the Second Avenue Methodist Church that has been in place for more than a dozen years.
The program is called the R.O.C.K. and that stands for Reaching Out to Community Kids. Organizers say that is exactly what they're doing with the effort.
Every Wednesday afternoon and evening, the Second Avenue United Methodist Church in Altoona fills up with dozens of young people involved in the after school Rock program.
The program provides participants with a hot meal, recreational opportunities and various classes . About 120 school aged kids have taken part in the rock program this year. The community outreach seems popular with them because in addition to providing a positive messages, the program gives the youngsters a good place to gather.
The program targets the economically disadvantaged. So keeping its doors open requires outside financial support. That's where Operation Our Town has been able to help with annual donations. Also helping to make this program work are the dedicated volunteers who turn out each week to to steer young people in the right direction.
Program supporters and the young people they serve agree there are good reasons to keep coming back week after week. Supporters say the Rock is already making a difference and they are determined the program should grow The people behind the Rock program say the recent troubles in the economy have made it difficult for them to attract the donations they need to support this program.
That's why the financial support from Operation Our Town has been particularly helpful in keeping the doors to the Rock open.
