Old Pine Community Centre Afterschool Program - Essay Example

Old Pine Community Center After­School Program provides homework help, snack , and recreational activities for students in grades K­8. Volunteers will assist with homework and engage children in recreational and organized play activities. The programs run from Monday to Friday; from 3 pm to 6 pm. The services are in two options: 4 days and 5 days of services that are of different costs. There is also a provision of daily drop services among those that would wish for them (Old Pine Community Centre).

Option

Cost

4 days

$ 408

5 days

$ 454

 Source: Old Pine Community Centre

Quotes from Leaders in Relation to Afterschool Programs

“Quality afterschool programs provide safe, engaging and fun learning experiences to help children and youth develop their social, emotional, physical, cultural and academic skills” - Debbie Stabenow.

“Afterschool is the time when young people discover their interests and strengths which often lead to decisions they will make as adults. This program will truly impact the lives of these young people with profound and positive long-term benefits.” – Gina Warner; Executive Director Partnership for Youth Development.

Services Offered by Old Pine Community Centre Afterschool Program

Overview of the Global Issue

In most schools, the ringing of the 3 p.m. normally marks the end of school day activities for many students. This means that they can go home and play and at the same time do whatever they please. The students end up engaging in activities that are not productive since they have no one to guide them. The parents who would have guided them are busy at the same time either at work or pursuing further studies. In turn, this led to the children going through a series of poor performances. The pupils also don’t have the time to develop their potential in terms of creativity (Old Pine Community Centre).

Role of Old Pine Community Centre Afterschool Program in Addressing the Issue

The Old Pine Community Centre Afterschool Program plays the role of ensuring that the students did waste their time. This is through the provision of essential services like a supervised and safe environment. It also provides healthy meals and snacks, academically enriching activities, and supportive and caring mentors for the students. The children are also taken through exercises that ensure that they are healthy. These activities are provided to the children and families that need most the support. The services are also offered in a cost-effective manner compared to the gains that the children get. The program provides the children with clubs that enable them to interact and share their interests. The services offered are done through qualified personnel such as the counselor or the teachers. This ensures that the services are of quality and address the issues effectively. The Old Pine Community Centre Afterschool Program offers ‘pick-up’ services to the willing lot. The services are as per now restricted to given schools. These schools include Nebinger, St. Marys, St. Peter’s School, Meredith, and McCall. The pick-up services can also be arranged by the school that the children are coming from as done by schools like Masterman and Independence Charter School. The program also provides the children with learning opportunities through the offering of learning materials through the library (Old Pine Community Centre).