The Children’s Home of Jefferson County (CHJC) was awarded a check from Stewart’s Holiday Match Program that will assist with the cost of enrichment opportunities for youth.
A $4,000 check was presented to CHJC Community Coordinator, Paul Passino and CHJC SoZo Teen Center Coordinator, Tony Gullo.
The funding will help defray the cost of enrichment opportunities for youth enrolled in CHJC Community Based Services, including the Teen Center, and the Indian River Middle School Advantage After School Program.
Advantage After School program activities include tutoring, physical recreation and sports clinics, and clubs engaged in learning about and developing skills related to areas of student interest, which most recently have included cooking, sewing, drama, coin collecting, and dancing.
“There is a heavy emphasis on tutoring and life skills at the SoZo Teen Center that helps get area youth in the right direction as they get closer to employment age,” said Peck.
The SoZo Teen Center, located in the rear of the Marcy Building, 167 Polk Street, offers a full range of teen activities including sports and other recreational opportunities, academic support (tutoring and homework help), life skills development such as cooking/nutrition classes, and field trips.
Peck told MyABC50.com, that over 400 area youth are registered in the program, with 30 to 40 area youth visiting the center each day.
