afterschool program

“Afterschool” Program Serves Kids in West Virginia All Year Round

September 12, 2018

In McDowell County, West Virginia we support an afterschool program operated by our partner there, Big Creek People in Action (BCPIA).

But actually, it’s technically incorrect to call it an “afterschool” program since it’s a service BCPIA provides year-round for school children and their parents.

On typical school days, BCPIA offers the opportunity for one-on-one mentoring and homework assistance for dozens of children from the time the final school bell rings for the day until 6:30 p.m.

For the children, that means no wasted afternoons of being alone at home watching TV waiting for their parents to get homework, and for the working parents it means no worries about what their kids are up to during this “free time.”

However, during summer vacation BCPIA operates its “after-school” program from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. helping to ensure that children don’t forget what the learned during the school year and to help them be better prepared for advancing to the next grade level at the start of the new school year.

“Our parents really appreciate what we do for their children,” reported BCPIA co-executive director Marsha Timpson. “If there is no school, they are at risk of going hungry.

“We feed these children full nutritious meals so they are not hungry when they go home.”

Thanks to our supporters, Americans Helping Americans® is able to assist BCPIA in its mission of providing a safe, fun, educational place where children are eager to go to spend their otherwise empty afternoons and summer days and enjoy a free meal as well.

“Our afterschool program is like family and we are glad to be here for our kids,” added Marsha, “even when school is not in session.”

Related Blogs

Bringing Bright Smiles to Kids in Appalachia

Bringing Bright Smiles to Kids in Appalachia

For many parents and guardians of young children in distressed Appalachian communities, proper dental care is an afterthought, if thought of at all. The result is not surprising, as children in Appalachia experience high rates of dental cavities compared to children...

Americans Helping Americans® – Hero of the Month: Rene’ Steele

Americans Helping Americans® – Hero of the Month: Rene’ Steele

In 2002, René Steele, her husband Robert, their four children, and a few friends founded the Labor of Love Mission (LOLM) from their home in Tiptop, an unincorporated community in Tazewell County, Virginia. Their first initiative, “Christmas Families” (later renamed...

Congratulations to our Want2Work Grads!

Congratulations to our Want2Work Grads!

Empowering Futures: How Americans Helping Americans® Grant Funds Made a Lasting Impact for Recent High School Graduates In July 2023, Americans Helping Americans® announced its new Want2Work (W2W) initiative, providing vocational and technical schools within...