Greene after-school program closes its doors
GREENE – After 26 years of providing after-school care to students in the Greene community, Greene Cares is closing its doors on Wednesday.
“We’re dissolving,” explained Bonnie Hayes, the after-school program’s long-time administrator.
The program currently serves 30 students in Kindergarten through sixth grade. It follows the school calendar, providing care from approximately 1:50 to 5 p.m. each week day while school is in session. During that time, the kids engage in a number of activities including arts and crafts and gym time. They can also get homework help, or use the computer. Each year they put on a talent show, and recently wrote letters to soldiers serving in Iraq.
All that will come to a close on Wednesday, when Greene Cares closes its doors for good. According to Hayes, the decision to close is a financial one.
“We’re running out of funds,” she said.
Part of the problem is enrollment. As the program’s sole form of funding is from the fees paid by parents, this has created a strain. At one time, as many as 75 children utilized the service on a daily basis. Last year, that number was closer to 50. And things haven’t improved this school year. Since the eminent closure of the program was announced, enrollment has dropped further still to its current level of 30.
Exacerbating the program’s financial woes are New York State’s increasingly stringent training requirements for the facility’s staff. In addition to Hayes, Greene Cares employs four other part-time staff members. Jacky Mellem has been with the program 15 years; Mary Williams, 9. The other two helpers are Corey Fowler and Hayes’ granddaughter, Mariah – both of whom went through the program as students before returning as staff.
Hayes, who has been involved with the program since shortly after it started in 1984, said she has mixed feelings about the end of the program.
“I’ll miss the kids,” she said. And there is no doubt they will miss her, and Greene Cares, in return.
“Greene Cares has played a significant role in meeting a need for many families here in Greene for the past 20-plus years. We are very grateful to Bonnie and her staff for their service,” said Greene Superintendent Jonathan Retz. “Collectively we want to wish Bonnie the best as she begins this next phase in her life.”
The dissolution of Greene Cares will also leave a void, which Retz hopes the Norwich YMCA will be able to fill.
“The YMCA is in the process of seeking state approval to begin a program here in Greene,” he explained.
“We’re dissolving,” explained Bonnie Hayes, the after-school program’s long-time administrator.
The program currently serves 30 students in Kindergarten through sixth grade. It follows the school calendar, providing care from approximately 1:50 to 5 p.m. each week day while school is in session. During that time, the kids engage in a number of activities including arts and crafts and gym time. They can also get homework help, or use the computer. Each year they put on a talent show, and recently wrote letters to soldiers serving in Iraq.
All that will come to a close on Wednesday, when Greene Cares closes its doors for good. According to Hayes, the decision to close is a financial one.
“We’re running out of funds,” she said.
Part of the problem is enrollment. As the program’s sole form of funding is from the fees paid by parents, this has created a strain. At one time, as many as 75 children utilized the service on a daily basis. Last year, that number was closer to 50. And things haven’t improved this school year. Since the eminent closure of the program was announced, enrollment has dropped further still to its current level of 30.
Exacerbating the program’s financial woes are New York State’s increasingly stringent training requirements for the facility’s staff. In addition to Hayes, Greene Cares employs four other part-time staff members. Jacky Mellem has been with the program 15 years; Mary Williams, 9. The other two helpers are Corey Fowler and Hayes’ granddaughter, Mariah – both of whom went through the program as students before returning as staff.
Hayes, who has been involved with the program since shortly after it started in 1984, said she has mixed feelings about the end of the program.
“I’ll miss the kids,” she said. And there is no doubt they will miss her, and Greene Cares, in return.
“Greene Cares has played a significant role in meeting a need for many families here in Greene for the past 20-plus years. We are very grateful to Bonnie and her staff for their service,” said Greene Superintendent Jonathan Retz. “Collectively we want to wish Bonnie the best as she begins this next phase in her life.”
The dissolution of Greene Cares will also leave a void, which Retz hopes the Norwich YMCA will be able to fill.
“The YMCA is in the process of seeking state approval to begin a program here in Greene,” he explained.
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