Laundromat turned learning center aids children
POSTED: March 15, 2007
By Staci Dennis
The East End Academy Dance team helps celebrate the opening of the All That For Kids Family Learning and Enrichment Center.
Eric McCaskill, director of the center, speaks at the grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony.
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NEWPORT NEWS, Va. - Washers and dryers have turned into desks and computers at the new All That for Kids Family Learning and Enrichment Center, which opened in early March in Newport News, Va.
A grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony was held in February, which included the mayor of Newport News as well as volunteers who worked on construction.
Operation Blessing teamed up with local churches, the YMCA, Operation Breaking Through and Christopher Newport University to help make the center a success.
Not only does the center hope to make learning fun for at-risk kids, it is also a safe haven in an area that has been riddled with crime and violence.
"We want to transform bad news to good news," said Eric McCaskill, director of the center. "Together, we can make a difference."
The center's programs include reading, math, computers, sports, health, art, dance and homework assistance to 42 children in kindergarten through eighth grade.
McCaskill, who grew up in Newport News, knows the hardships of a childhood without a father. He was raised by his grandparents and started having problems in school until his fifth grade teacher got through to him, he said.
"I stuttered, stammered and mumbled just so people wouldn't notice me," McCaskill said. "Once my teacher helped me realize I could overcome anything, my life changed."
McCaskill went on to graduate from Perdue University, got his master's degree, worked in the record industry for 13 years and currently pastors a church.
"I want to instill those virtues in the kids today," McCaskill said. "I want them to know they can overcome anything."
All That for Kids is a national, year-round, out-of-school program developed by Operation Blessing to provide at-risk children with an innovative learning experience tailored to meet the needs of the community.
"This is a unique project that impacts the community and is done by the community of people who live here," said Jodie Nelson, director of outreach at Operation Blessing. "We all want to see the children equipped with the skills they need to succeed in the 21st century."
There is a one-time registration fee of $20 to enroll at the center and tuition assistance is offered to many families applying to the program. Adults with children in the program can also work to earn their GED as well as receive workforce training.
How You Can Help
Whether it's All That for Kids learning centers and other mentoring programs in the U.S. or orphan training centers in Ukraine, your gift is helping Operation Blessing reach at-risk children and teens and offer them the hope of a better future.
Make an online donation today and help OBI continue these life-changing programs.
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