Youth Advocacy Coalition Hosts After School Program in New Meadows
Want your kids to have some fun? Send them to the After School Program on Wednesdays at the Community Center in New Meadows! I took my granddaughters to try it out. They had a terrific time. Two young women, Leia and Teresa, from YAC (Youth Advocacy Coalition) were supervising. Penny Steadham and Kristi Shiermeier, from the Community House Thrift Store, are also there every Wednesday bringing healthy snacks and supplies. The day I visited, they were serving chicken noodle soup, grilled cheese, popcorn, fresh watermelon, pineapple and blackberries. I stayed the full hour watching all the fun. Tables were set up with different activities - Legos, Play-Doh, drawing/coloring, chess and other games/toys were available too. A couple kids even played the piano that is in the building. A group also were playing pool. Kids of all ages are taking advantage of this refuge for them. Some older ones just sat on the couch relaxing, others sat at a “Zen” table set apart from the others for those that want a quieter space to do things like knit. The older kids were teaching younger ones to dance and organizing an outdoor game of tag! I didn’t see a “screen” in the place except one on the wall with a fireplace on it.
The next goal of the after school program is to be able to send food home with kids just to ease stress on families. Parents are also welcome to stay and hang out. Anyone is welcome. One lady came and just sat and did some handiwork which was good for the kids to see and ask questions about. In fact, this program is needing more volunteers to help supervise since more and more kids are participating.
At Christmas time, gifts were donated by the Community House for the youngsters to wrap and take home for their families. The week of Easter they had several egg hunts. Drama supplies and instruments have been donated so a Comic Con is in the future and a jam session will be held on April 19.
If you’d like to help, please volunteer, donate or offer ideas. YAC held a matinee movie on a Friday that was well attended. Those in charge are wondering if Friday might be better for the whole program. Please give your thoughts to leia.55@icloud.com. For the summer, the plan is to have activities at the park on Saturdays.
Leia and Teresa want to thank Penny, Kristi and all the Community House volunteers!
