EXCHANGE: Community center still going strong after 90 years

(AP) — As Damaree Wilson, 10, worked on a story map after reading a book about hurricanes, Treyveon Faust, 9, studied his spelling words.

Scattered throughout several rooms at Western Avenue Community Center, 600 N. Western Ave., Bloomington — which is marking its 90th anniversary in March — volunteers ranging from college students to older adults provided homework help to 45 kindergarten through sixth-graders in need.

Homework help, reading and math enrichment, arts and crafts, free play including basketball, prayer time and healthy snacks, were on the agenda at Western Avenue's After School Club last Tuesday, as they are every weekday.

"When people help me with my spelling, I end up with As and Bs," Faust, a Sheridan Elementary School fourth-grader, said proudly.

Several After School Club participants said their favorite part was making new friends with the other kids and the volunteers.

"The relationships being built with the adults make a huge impact on the overall atmosphere," said Lisa Barton, Western Avenue academic program director.

Retired from the insurance industry, the Normal resident began volunteering at After School Club once a week six years ago and soon became a daily volunteer.

"[...] when you're a parent working multiple jobs, or you're a single parent, you may not be able to provide that academic support," said Barton, who said After School Club costs $25 per semester per child.

Each of the 45 children has an individualized lesson plan, said Barton, who oversees those plans, trains volunteers and has permission from parents to communicate with students' teachers.