CIVIC CENTER FUN: AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAM OFFERS TUTORS, PLAY TIME

First-grader Megan Allen practiced vocabulary words with help from Rebecca Gotham, a volunteer at the Cape Girardeau Civic Center.

Betty Freeman, left, a volunteer at the Cape Girardeau Civic Center, read a story to Amber Seabaugh, Jonathon Helm and Cherish Pettis.

Greg Hatchett, left, and Isaac Egbuka played basketball with other children at the Civic Center.

The brass-colored, badge-shaped sticker on 7-year-old Christopher Hull's chest proudly announced his appointment as a "Junior Fire Inspector."

Other students informed a visitor to the Cape Girardeau Civic Center's after-school program of what they had learned that day. "We just finished learning about fire safety not even an hour ago," said Gregory Hatchett, 10.

The other day firefighters visited the Civic Center's more-than-year-old program. Earlier this year a policeman performed magic tricks. A dance troupe stopped by another day for drum and dance lessons. Some afternoons the "big, giant donuts" provided by the Sweet Shop that David Hamilton, 10, likes so much are the highlight.

But every afternoon, the 20 or so students who come to the Civic Center from 3:30 to 6 get one-on-one help with homework. Later they play basketball in the center's gymnasium.

"One of the goals (of the after-school program) is to help students develop study habits, get a better understanding of the classwork that they are doing, and improve their grades," said Lloyd Williams, the program's interim director. "Also, it gives them a safe place to play."

The program, which is funded by donations, grants and the United Way, has two paid positions -- a secretary and a maintenance person. The other 50 or so people involved, including Williams and supervisor Willa Hamilton, are volunteers. Most days there are about 10 volunteers, mostly education and social work students at Southeast Missouri State University.

The program has an enrollment of 75 kindergarten through 12th-grade students from nearly every school in Cape Girardeau and a couple schools in Jackson and Scott City. Most of the pupils are third- to fifth-graders, and many attend Washington Elementary School.

"The parents really like what we're doing with the kids," Williams said. "They notice a difference in their attitude towards studying."

"They are more structured than they would be if they were at home," Hamilton said. "They do their homework, then they read, then they play."

The Learning Resource Center provided by the Cape Girardeau Public Library has books and a computer. Volunteers with the Rolling Readers program read to students an hour a week. Students also read for and are read to by tutors such as Donna Wigfall and Betty Freeman.

"I get the personal satisfaction of thinking that I've helped someone," Wigfall said. "They're full of hugs and they want to tell you how their day went. It's very fulfilling."

Said Freeman: "(The program is) more than just a baby-sitting service. I know that sometimes that might be what parents want to use it for, but (the students) are not just going to come in here and play. Once you get here, you have to do your homework."

Glenn Roberts, who has two children in the program, said he's thankful there is a good place for them to go after school. "In my opinion, every neighborhood needs a place like this," he said. "I was raised in Chicago, and we didn't have many places like this to study and not be around negative things. Kids pick up bad habits off the streets."

Even with all the emphasis on homework, the bane of students for decades, those youngsters who made it to the Civic Center Thursday before the Easter break from school each gave a laundry list of why they like the after-school program.

"It's really fun here," said Matt Hamilton, 7. "There's a lot of space, and I like all of the holiday parties that we have and all of the activities."

"We like to listen to stories and play in the gym and play with your friends, that's all I know," said Cherish Pettis, 5.

"I like to buy soda here," said Jessica Roberts, 5, to a chorus of laughter.

"It's kind of like you're at Kid's World," said David Hamilton. "You get to go on the Print Shop and draw stuff. I think more people should come."

As does interim director Williams.

The program is seeking additional funding from grants and will hold a fund raiser in June, Williams said. It's also pursuing a designation as a Safe Haven in the federal Operation Weed and Seed, a program that attempts to improve the quality of life in targeted neighborhoods by controlling crime, drug abuse and gang activity.

Williams said changes might include extended hours, expanding the Monday-through-Thursday schedule, transportation for students and a more structured recreation program.