(Doris Maricle/ American Press)" />
Librarian Olivia Vallrie reads a story to children Monday during a summer feeding program at the Jefferson Davis Youth Community Center. (Doris Maricle/ American Press)
Summer program offers more than food
Last Modified: Monday, July 02, 2012 1:34 PM
By Doris Maricle / American Press
JENNINGS — A summer feeding program at the Jefferson Davis Youth Community Center is more than just fun, games and a free meal. “We try to keep the kids busy and give them something to do,” said director Brenda Pattum. “This is an alternative to them being on the streets.” For the past five weeks, more than 150 children and young people have met at the old James Ward Elementary School for the summer program, Pattum said. The program continues 8 a.m.-noon daily through July 23. There will be no program on July 4. “I find it very rewarding,” Pattum said. “If I can save one child, my job is not in vain at all.” The program also helps teach the students socialization skills so they learn to work with one another. They also learn respect and how to follow rules, Pattum said. For four hours a day, the children and young people attend the program, where mentors and volunteers — many of them schoolteachers and foster parents — plan a range of activities from sporting events and games to arts and cooking lessons. “We want to provide them with something positive and a safe environment to have fun in the summer,” Pattum said. “We also work on their self-esteem.” There is also a library with reading material and other media available. A special summer reading program is also provided for students in prekindergarten to second grade. All activities, including a breakfast and lunch, are provided for free. This is the third year for the program, and many of the participants have attended every year, she said. “They feel welcome here with opened arms,” she said. “They know this is their program.”
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