Clover enrichment center plans fundraiser, expansion
Billie Burris sees the positive impact of the Stellie J. Jackson Enrichment Center’s after-school and summer program.
“We know it’s a working program,” said Burris, director of the program for elementary school-aged children at Roosevelt Park. “It’s helped their grades and their self esteem.”
Burris and other leaders of the program, which serves about 10 children after school and in the summer, would like to help more children. But they need more staff and space.
The center’s board of directors is seeking to raise $5,000 to $10,000 for added staffing and activities for the center’s children with a special event, Another Man’s Treasure.
Household items, tools, toys, books, shoes and more will be sold Friday and Saturday at the Larne Building in downtown Clover to benefit the after-school and enrichment program.
“We would like to serve more children, and to do that we need more staff,” said Liz Johnson, a member of the center’s board and the Clover school board. “And to get more staff, we need more room.”
The center was established in 2012 in a mobile unit which was renovated by the town of Clover. Burris and another part-time employee, Jeff Mont, are employed through the Clover YMCA. Shirley Williams is a volunteer.
The after-school program serves children from Kinard Elementary, who ride the school bus, and their parents pay $10 a week. Children are referred to the program by the school district.
The summer program, from 10 a.m. to noon Monday and Wednesday, serves children from across the district who are transported to the center by their parents.
Johnson said the summer program is an all-volunteer venture, but the board would like to offer volunteers some money for their service.
She said the board would like to launch a Bible class for adults and a parenting class. Burris said children who attend the program have daily devotions as well as homework help, enrichment and an emphasis on positive self esteem.
“We feel that it’s needed,” Johnson said. “There are students out there who need the program and don’t get the afternoon attention they need, and we can provide it.”
Burris said the after-school program includes community service activities so children learn to give back. At Thanksgiving, they took soup to people in the nearby Roosevelt community, and at Christmas, they delivered cards and cookies.
Johnson said the program, is in the process of seeking formal status from the state as a nonprofit organization.
Jennifer Becknell • 803-329-4077
Want to go?
The Stellie J. Jackson Enrichment Center of Clover will sponsor a two-day fundraiser, Another Man’s Treasure, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, March 13 and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, March 14 at the Larne Building on Main Street in downtown Clover.
Household items, tools, toys, books, shoes and more will be sold. Proceeds will benefit the center, which helps children through after-school and summer programs. Donated items to be sold at the fundraiser can be dropped off at the Larne building on Friday morning.
Cash donations also can by made to the Stellie J. Jackson Enrichment Center and mailed to P.O. Box 1352, Clover SC 29710.
This story was originally published March 10, 2015 at 4:29 PM with the headline "Clover enrichment center plans fundraiser, expansion."