They 'heart' the after-school program

SANDUSKY — An initiative local children love — which lets them learn, play and partake in enriching activities — returned. About 25 kids belonging to the Boys & Girls Club of Erie County spent Friday afternoon enjoying themselves at a Valentine's Day party. It took place at the club's recently renovated Teen Center at Cleveland Road (U.S. 6). Due to COVID-19 restrictions and social gathering bans, club organizers ceased the after-school program for much of 2020. But with cases, hospitalizations and deaths trending down in past weeks, organizers decided to welcome back children to what's known as the after-school program. "We're just so excited to have our kids here," said Allysa Powell, the club's teen supervisor, during the party. Friday's party, in which children indulged holiday-themed desserts and coordinated dance routines to Top 40 hits, represented the program's first major event in almost a year. "We missed them so much," Powell said. The after-school program provides a laid-back atmosphere where children can gather with their friends between leaving school and heading home, Powell said. Those attending area middle and high schools can complete their homework, eat food, prepared on-site, and play games, such as basketball "This is their safe haven," Powell said. Furthermore, the after-school program offers specific sessions to prepare teenagers for success later on in their adult lives. This would include: • Diplomas to Degrees, a career-readiness curriculum that helps students get through high school • Passport to Manhood, which helps boys learn valued principles • Smart Girls, which helps girls learn about health, fitness, education and other self-esteem lessons • Money Matters, a class preparing teenagers about financial responsibility "Anything we can do to help build their resumes, so they can achieve greatness in life, we want to do," Powell said. "These children need engagement, and we are here to help them with that." No matter child or adult, those entering the teen center will surely notice a clean and safe environment, Powell said. "We are always sanitizing everything in here," Powell said. "This is our responsibility to make sure nobody catches anything." Right now, there are about 120 children registered for the after-school program. They attend schools in Sandusky, Perkins Township and Huron. Only about one-quarter of them, however, have shown up to programming thus far in 2021. Understanding new limitations on capacity and general health-related concerns, Powell and her colleagues are determined to, but remain patient with, welcoming every child back "This is a place where kids can be themselves," Powell said. People can visit bgcsandusky.org or call 419-502-9030 for more information.