After School Program Helps Students Today and Tomorrow
By: Amy Mearkle
Updated: January 17, 2011
ALTOONA, BLAIR COUNTY -- The Gloria Gates Memorial Foundation after school program provides educational support in a fun setting at three public housing developments in Blair County; Evergreen Manor, Logan Hills and Fairview Hills.
This year 115 school aged students are getting some extra attention at the end of their school day.
Dominique Dargan is in the 2nd grade at Juniata Gap Elementary. "They help us with homework they let us read and we play games with them and they take us outside sometimes."
Desiree Marlett is a 4th Grader. "My favorite part is that they teach you to be nice and how to control your anger and stuff."
Toni Bilik ,the executive director of the program, tells us that studies show that if parents struggled in school there is a good chance their children will struggle as well.
This program has a goal of making sure students keep their grades at a B-C average----these students are breaking those records and maintaining A and B averages.
"All these kids have so much potential so hopefully they will reach that potential with our help," says Bilik.
Parents say the lessons learned go beyond the classroom and can me measured by more than just good report cards
"Most kids in housing projects like these don't have no where to go. They have school and home that is it. Some parents can't take the time out to give the kids what they need. This after school program gives the kids what they need, educational learning experiences, life experiences and it is also fun," says Lillian Faison. Her two daughters attend the program at Fairview Hills.
The love of learning is even contagious. Heather Lockard says after watching he daughter improve her grades, she decided it was time for her to go back for her GED.
"It means a lot because she is actually showing me she is the one who asked me to go back to school so i am doing it for her."
So how does your united way donation help the after school program, well it helps to make a personal connection according to Bilik.
"I dont think we could do what we do without the United Way the most important factor is our staff, the children need people, they need the one on one attention and the United Way helps pay our staff."
If you would like to make a donation to the United Way of Blair County http://www.unitedwayofblaircounty.org/
This year 115 school aged students are getting some extra attention at the end of their school day.
Dominique Dargan is in the 2nd grade at Juniata Gap Elementary. "They help us with homework they let us read and we play games with them and they take us outside sometimes."
Desiree Marlett is a 4th Grader. "My favorite part is that they teach you to be nice and how to control your anger and stuff."
Toni Bilik ,the executive director of the program, tells us that studies show that if parents struggled in school there is a good chance their children will struggle as well.
This program has a goal of making sure students keep their grades at a B-C average----these students are breaking those records and maintaining A and B averages.
"All these kids have so much potential so hopefully they will reach that potential with our help," says Bilik.
Parents say the lessons learned go beyond the classroom and can me measured by more than just good report cards
"Most kids in housing projects like these don't have no where to go. They have school and home that is it. Some parents can't take the time out to give the kids what they need. This after school program gives the kids what they need, educational learning experiences, life experiences and it is also fun," says Lillian Faison. Her two daughters attend the program at Fairview Hills.
The love of learning is even contagious. Heather Lockard says after watching he daughter improve her grades, she decided it was time for her to go back for her GED.
"It means a lot because she is actually showing me she is the one who asked me to go back to school so i am doing it for her."
So how does your united way donation help the after school program, well it helps to make a personal connection according to Bilik.
"I dont think we could do what we do without the United Way the most important factor is our staff, the children need people, they need the one on one attention and the United Way helps pay our staff."
If you would like to make a donation to the United Way of Blair County http://www.unitedwayofblaircounty.org/
