The Preston County Youth Center’s after-school program is in full swing.
Director Glen Larew said the first week the program had 25 unique kids, with about 15 showing up each day. They range from Pre-K to 8th grade.
The program is staffed by volunteers and churches across the county have agreed to staff all days except Friday, which is currently staffed by a hodgepodge of who is available, Larew said.
With four to six volunteers a day, Larew said they can handle 30 kids.
“We’re finding that a lot of these kids that we’re getting were formerly latchkey,” Larew said. “These are, we’re talking elementary kids that go home on the 2:30 bus. And they’re there until the parents, by themselves, until the parents come home. That’s not good.”
When the kids arrived by school bus Thursday, all were wearing green in celebration of St. Patrick’s Day. They quickly signed in, chatted with their peers on the bleachers and played on the gym floor.
Each day, the kids are served some food right after signing in. On Thursday that was a ham or turkey sandwich — the kid’s choice — and homemade mac and cheese by Georgia Meyers, who was volunteering at the center for the first time.
Meyers said she has great-grandchildren in after-school programs and thinks the PCYC is an awesome opportunity for the county.
“I think it adds a lot,” she said. “I think this is something that the county has needed for a long, long time.”
A member of Mount Vernon United Methodist Church, Meyers was recruited by Pastor Lisa Fox, of Reedsville United Methodist Church.
Larew’s dream was infectious to her, Fox said. She said PCYC is a place where kids can be safe, have fun, learn and grow.
“He just had this dream, this vision of being a space for kids, like a safe sanctuary. And I was right on it,” Fox said. “A lot of people think ministry has to happen within the walls of the church. And I think the pandemic has taught us that ministry can happen anywhere and so I just saw this space as an extension of ministry.”
The center’s mission is clear from the sign above its main doors, which was hung on Wednesday. “Supporting you. Building futures.”
“It’s all about that they would have a successful future and that’s the main thing,” Larew said.
After eating, the kids take part in a variety of activities. Larew said they’ve found a lot of the kids need help reading, so they read together.
The large gym has space for basketball, volleyball, or the kid’s favorite activity — playing with the gym mats, which Larew said were donated by Board of Education member Pam Feathers.
There are plans to expand. The framework for a second level above the kitchen and classroom is already built and recently, the Hazel Ruby McQuain Charitable Trust awarded $342,560 to construct the second floor.
“There’ll be 170,000 pounds of steel and concrete above and another complete gym floor and classrooms,” Larew said. “That’s their second donation here. And it’s amazing how they have come through at just a crossroads, both times.
Without the first grant to finish building the interior, Larew said they still wouldn’t be open.
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