Zach credits his participation in OBI's All That for Kids "Enrichment" program with helping to prepare him for high school.

BROOKLYN, N.Y. – A cooking class and a music lesson all added up to a positive high school experience for Zach.

The 14-year-old lives with his father, Aldo, who works three jobs to help pay for his school's tuition. Aldo didn't want his son to stay home alone after school where he could spend hours unsupervised.

“Trouble can happen when kids get bored and have nothing to do,” he said. “I had to make sure that didn't happen.”

Aldo enrolled his son in Operation Blessing's All That for Kids “Enrichment” program being held at a local church. The program offers classes in cooking, sign language, graphic illustration, musical theater, virtual stock market and computers. Participants can also get homework help, play games and attend social outings.

“Everything has an academic concept behind it,” said Jim Esposito, director of Operation Blessing's outreach center in New York City. “The children gain confidence and learn skills through each class.”

This is the first year the programs have been offered and Esposito says it has been a success. Zach is just one example.

Even though Zach was one of the older students in the program, he jumped right in helping mentor and teach the younger children.

“It was a great confidence booster for him,” Esposito said. “He thrived.”

Thanks to OBI and the help of the local community, Zach was given a scholarship to attend the all-boys high school of his choice. He is making good grades and has joined the band and started playing guitar.

“I was emotionally depressed and didn't know how I would make the money to send him to school,” Aldo said. “Words can't describe how much this means to us and how helpful it has been.”

Each day, students attend Enrichment classes between 2:30 and 6:30 where they have access to all the courses. Last year, more than 100 students went through the program. Already 86 students are enrolled in January, Esposito said.

“We want to help the kids get off to a good start in life,” Esposito said. “It's a way to help them love to learn.”

 

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