Gov. Blunt promotes after-school programs

Gov. Matt Blunt spent part of Tuesday afternoon highlighting the importance of after-school programs in keeping Missouri's children safe and called on the community to support such programs.

"Missourians care about their kids, and the fact that the hours of three in the afternoon to six in the evening are some of the most dangerous hours for Missouri children is reason enough to be concerned," Blunt said.

A study done by the Missouri Afterschool State Network found that every dollar spent on after-school programs saves $5 in dealing with crime and delinquency.

That same study showed 33 percent of Missouri's elementary school children and 40 percent of Missouri's middle school children are left without adult supervision after school.

Cape Girardeau's Career and Technology Center was the last of Blunt's four stops around the state emphasizing the hours children are not in school provide extra learning opportunities to prepare those children for a productive adulthood.

Blunt said education would continue to be a priority.

"We're going to continue to provide more resources to school districts to spend as they think are appropriate, and we encourage those partnerships between the schools, civic organizations and entrepreneurs," Blunt said.

Those businesses can do more to help after-school programs by building partnerships than they ever could alone, he said.

Locally, the United Way of Southeast Missouri has partnered with the Boys and Girls Club to provide a program called the Family Support Initiative.

Procter & Gamble and J.C. Penny both support after-school programs, having realized that parents who are not worried about the safety of their children after school are going to be more productive at work, said Gary McDowell, who serves on the Boys and Girls Club board of directors.

"It's not just financial, it's time it's allowing employees some time to go over there and help with the program, mentoring, providing instruction," Blunt said. "There are lots of great things that can be done by an employer."

There are economic benefits to providing after-school programs as well, Blunt said, such as better preparing the future work force.

There are a number of opportunities for school-age children to participate in after-school programs around Cape Girardeau.

In addition to Boys and Girls Club, there are programs at Franklin Elementary and Central High School that are funded by the 21st Century Learning community grant.

At Central, librarian Julia Jorgensen said the program aims to make these after-school classes not like the other classes during the day.

"We want these students to know that school is a comfortable and safe place," she said.

The classes range from jewelry making and a battle of dueling poets, called slam poetry, to writing workshops and political studies.

Jefferson Elementary has tutoring available after school for students. Both the Family Resource Center and Big Brothers, Big Sisters have activities available after school.

ameyer@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 127