News & Events

Unique afterschool program for apartment residents

by Spencer Crawford/The Villa Rican

A unique program at the Hickory Falls apartment complex in Villa Rica gives working parents an option for their children that keeps them from coming home to an empty apartment.Through Community Life Concepts, a non-profit group dedicated to providing social services to housing authorities and apartment owners, Hickory Falls management offers residents a free afterschool program for their children.

The free program provides young students the opportunity to continue to learn while having fun after the school day ends."Afterschool programs, especially ones that are affordable for parents, enable them to have peace of mind, knowing their children are safe, doing their home work and learning," Afterschool Program Coordinator Pam Cunard said."There are just so many children who are alone after school. This keeps them from being out on the streets. It teaches them structure, to get along with others, to share and it gives them activities so they're not out alone after school getting involved with things that aren't good for them."Currently, there are eight students in the program ranging from first through third grade, but that number has fluctuated as high as 20 students as residents move in and out of the apartment complex.

When the students arrive at Hickory Falls after school, the first thing they do is complete any homework they may have for the day. Those who do not have homework are given workbooks created by Cunard to occupy their time. They are also given instruction, some more advanced than what they're learning in school."I am pleased to say the children in my afterschool pr ogram are learning every day," Cunard said. "I am in the process of teaching each child their multiplication tables, which has been a success. Even my first-graders are beginning their 5's. This is remarkable, since they are not even learning them in school yet. I also have just began teaching them the State of Georgia and it's capital, as well as the state and capital in which they were born."The day also includes fun time and crafts."They have a good time," Cunard said. "In fact, when the parents pick them up they want to stay longer. I try to make it fun for them and they enjoy it."Cunard keeps in regular contact with the students' teachers through notes and the teachers send supplemental work the students can work on during the afterschool program.Community Life Concepts would like to work with other apartment complexes in the area to offer the program, but currently Hickory Falls is the only one in Carr oll County offer this free afterschool program.Since Community Life Concepts is a non-profit organization, they depend on donations and community support. Anyone who would like to get involved can call 770-895-8168.Thanks for reading!Times-Georgian - News, Classifieds, Business, Sports - Carrollton, Georgia