Ashton Earl, 5, eats a hot dog while participating in the after-school program at the Bragg Hill Family Life Center. PHOTOS BY SUZANNE CARR ROSSI/THE FREE LANCE-STAR View More Images from this story Visit the Photo Place

Programs offer safe haven after school

After school programs offer safety, learning and fun

Date published: 10/23/2009

BY AMY FLOWERS UMBLE

The tip of Sohail Navin's tongue stuck out of his mouth as the 9-year-old diligently worked on his multiplication problems.

Pencil in hand, Sohail completed his folder of assignments yesterday afternoon at the Bragg Hill Family Life Center.

As Sohail worked on his math, the mayor of Fredericksburg talked about how afternoon homework help could benefit the fourth-grader and other area children.

"We are giving them a good start. We are giving them a safe haven at a time when many children do not have a safe haven," Mayor Tom Tomzak said at an event held yesterday to celebrate after-school programs.

For most of the 40 children sitting at tables in the center's multipurpose room, a safe haven simply means a place to go after school besides an empty house.

For Sohail, safe haven is a little more complicated. His family fled Afghanistan six months ago. His uncle said that back home, adults didn't go anywhere without weapons. They worried about safety constantly.

Across the room, 8-year-old Toni Hall was more worried about the day's spelling homework. With a green colored pencil, she carefully wrote her spelling words, "Popcorn, mop, sock"

After each word, she scribbled a picture to match. At times, Toni, a second-grader at Hugh Mercer Elementary School, leaned over to ask volunteer Sue Parr for advice.

That kind of help is the best part about the homework program at Bragg Hill Family Life Center, Toni said.

At the next table, two boys played dominoes. And a preschooler put together a counting puzzle.

The children completed homework, played educational games and whispered to each other. They seemed oblivious to the adults talking about the importance of after-school programs.

Family center staff, volunteers, the mayor and city school officials all touted Bragg Hill's program, which offers homework assistance, snacks, sports and dinner.

The event was part of a national effort by the Afterschool Alliance to underscore the importance of such initiatives.

"We know that after-school programs keep kids safe, inspire them to learn and help working families," said Jen Rinehart, vice president for research and policy with the alliance. "All kids should have access to a quality after-school program."

The Washington, DC-based national alliance just released a study that found that one in four American students have no adult supervision after school.

8.4 M American children enrolled in after-school programs 15.1 M American children unsupervised after school 1.1 M elementary school students are unsupervised after school 36% ff American children are unsupervised at least one afternoon a week 18 M children would be in programs, if available $67 average weekly cost of after-school programs 6 in 10 after-school programs nationally have lost funding due to the recession $1.13 B federal money given to after-school programs 311,585 Virginia children unsupervised after school --America After 3 p.m., a study by the Afterschool Alliance Studies have shown that after-school programs can lead to better grades and test scores, higher self esteem, fewer risky behaviors and fewer absences. But some parents said cost and transportation prohibited them from enrolling their children. Three area after-school programs offer programs aimed at low-income, at-risk youths. But they need donations and volunteers: Olde Forge Junction: 540/368-0081 Bragg Hill Family Life Center: 540/371-3662 Fredericksburg Regional Boys & Girls Club: 540/368-9531

Date published: 10/23/2009