by: Sabina Okanovic, Features Editor
Old News Boys Day is a programs from the Suburban Journal, or STL Today.
They give out grants that help local organizations. These grants provide many supplies and other helpful items to the organizations.
I was given the opportunity to write about one of the organizations located in our community, The Lemay Family and Child Center.
This article was posted in the Nov 15 issue of STL Today.
The Lemay Family and Child Center is a non-profit organization that helps children from the ages of six weeks to 12 years. The center offers a variety of programs to help create a better future for the children.
The organization provides many different curriculum based activities that are hands-on and experimental.These activities allow children to learn more about themselves and help improve their education.
There are four main programs featured; infant-toddler care, two-year-old care and early pre-school, pre-school, and school-age.
The infant-toddler care provides a healthy meal and a creative learning experience for children ages six weeks to one year. They begin curriculum based activities here to help progress development.
The two-year-old care and early pre-school program offers two and three-year-olds a variety of activities to improve social-emotional skills promote early literacy and give an opportunity to explore new toys and games.
The pre-school and school-age groups both care of children entering school. They offer many activities to improve learning at school. The preschool group learns routine, and other important factors of becoming a preschooler. The school age group works with local elementary school to provide a safe place for students to go after school and get assistance with homework and any other school projects.
“We do many assessments to make sure the children are on track,” said Elaine Powers, executive director.
They also offer a before and after school program, and summer camp for school aged children to help improve and encourage education.
Old News Boys Day has helped Lemay Child and Family Center for many years, and every year, the effects are the same.
“The grants make a direct impact on the children, enabling us to provide basic needs, such as shoes and school supplies,” said Powers.
So far the grant has purchased 44 new shoes and many school supplies. With the remainder of the grant, the center will purchase more shoes. There is a field trip planned for the pre-school group to go to Payless Shoes and purchase the shoes.
There are plenty of opportunities for the community to get involved. There was a Trivia Night held on November 9. On March 15 a comedy auction night will take place, many volunteers are needed.
For more information and other stories visit http://www.stltoday.com/suburban-journals/old-newsboys-day/or https://www.facebook.com/
