Children are not things to be molded, but are people to be unfolded - Jess Lair
Like a lot of others my age, when I was growing up, my mother did not work outside of the home. She was waiting when I arrived home from school at the end of the day, making sure I did my homework before I was allowed to go outside to play or ride my bike. Times have certainly changed....
Single parent families, families where both mom and dad must work to make ends meet, children being raised by extended family members who also have jobs. Where can these kids go after school if there is no one waiting at home?
On the West Bank, they can attend the newly reopened West Bank Boys & Girls Club in Gretna. The Boys & Girls Club has a mission of helping young people in need. They encourage and guide young people to become productive citizens and better students. They are leading our community by example by providing a safe, caring environment to serve the educational and recreational needs of children ages 6-17 for a nominal fee per child.
Rebuilt after Hurricane Katrina, the location at 900 10th Street in Gretna is open on weekdays from 2-7 pm and has all of the following amenities and activities for the kids:
- Power Hour - a period after school when the kids are given homework help by paid professionals
- A gymnasium for athletic activities
- A computer lab
- A teen room
- An arts and crafts area
- A game room
The majority of the funding for this program comes from private donations. The West Bank Boys & Girls Club will hold their "Celebration of Rebuilding" on Friday, November 9th from 7-10 pm at the Club. Open to the public, this is a very worthy cause and allows each of us the opportunity to help in the fundraising effort while enjoying a great evening out. Tickets are $50 per person and include door prizes, food and refreshments and music provided by Amanda Shaw and the Cute Guys. Contact my friend, Loren McGhee at lorenmcghee@aol.com to purchase tickets or for additional information.
You can make a difference in a young child's life. Please make plans to attend the Celebration or make a donation today.
Your West Bank Real Estate Specialist
Carole, it's a great deterrent to criminal activity...keeps them off of the streets after school when so many kids get in trouble. My favorite is the professional assistance with homework. Education is the key to success for all kids, not just those at risk.
Thanks, Sally! I hope we continue to have good news to share with everyone.
Was your daughter in Biloxi for the storm or did they evacuate from there was well?
We left the day before the storm and spent 15 hellish hours making the drive to Lake Charles, which is usually only about 4 hours from here. Finally ended up in Houston until Rita came along. Made it home in September, but the kids didn't come back until the end of October...no schools to go to until then. I hope NO ONE ELSE ever has to live through not being allowed to go home or not having a home to go to. Sorry for the mini venting...thanks so much for reading my posts!
Thanks, Tom. I'm sure they'll take a monetary donation :)
Lisa,
I t is good to see more of the family programs returning...the normal things besides downtown. that will certainly be a day to celebrate, and the kids need these place......they need a sense of community and normality.