DCS works with community to bring after school program to Daleville

Daleville City Schools Superintendent Dr. Lisa Stamps and her staff, working with community leaders and parents are getting closer to bringing an after school and summer program to Daleville. After the former afterschool program was discontinued, concerned parent Joel Adams began looking for other options.

“It is with great excitement that we formally announce that Daleville will be working under the sponsorship umbrella of Eufaula Boys and Girls Clubs of America (BGCA), in establishing our own BGCA of Daleville,” Adams said. 

   The BGCA mission is to enable children to reach their full potential as productive, caring and responsible citizens. Under this program, children will be under the guidance of professional staff members who will help empower them to excel both in and out of school and help guide them on their path to a great future.

   “I look forward to working with Dr. Stamps in making this dream a reality and working towards the opening day of the BGCA of Daleville,” Adams said.

Stamps said plans have been coming together over the past two months for quality afterschool care as well as summer programs.

"Over the past two months we have been working on plans to design quality after-school care and summer school programs for our elementary students after surveying our parents and realizing we have needs in this area,” Stamps said. “Joel Adams and I have visited the Eufaula Boys and Girls Club of America and have learned how their program is set up. The club is a valuable resource for communities all over the Wiregrass and provides structured academics, recreation, and mentoring for students. We know there is a need and we know that this program will be an asset to our students, parents and community.”

DCS will have a unique partnership with Eufaula BGCA. According to Stamps, a steering committee has been organized and many hours of planning have taken place.

“The Eufaula Club will sponsor the Daleville Club. Our steering committee is organizing the club, setting goals, creating fundraising strategies, and developing curricula for this program. We have spent a lot of time researching and learning about all that makes a BGCA successful. Our desire is to begin implementing the club in June with a summer school camp,” Stamps said.

Other steering committee members have shown strong support for developing a quality afterschool program. Daleville Public Library Assistant Librarian Rachel Horne sees students on a daily basis and explains the vital need for an afterschool program.

"A town is more than just houses and streets; it is the people of its community. And the children of the community are the ones that will decide whether a town thrives or stagnates. Our city must invest in its children by giving them access to quality education and instilling a love of learning in the next generation,” Horne said. “The Boys and Girls Club of America helps in this by offering after-school programs, homework assistance, and access to mentoring programs. When the school day ends, Daleville’s children need a place they can go to have fun and continue learning because education does not end when the school bell rings."

School board member and owner of Aero Real Estate Debra Latremore believes the club will fill a void in the community.

“The Boys and Girls Club of America will fill a void for our children and community. With no after school or summer programs available our community will benefit greatly.  Their programs are amazing and include academic, sports, crafts and leadership,” Latremore said. 

Another steering committee member said she believes the club will help the community grow.

“I am very excited to see boys and girls club come to our community. Not only will it be a wonderful program for our children but I fully believe it will help our community grow,” community member April Spencer said.

Daleville Police Chief Allen Medley expressed his support of the club as well.

“I believe having the Boys and Girls Club would be a great thing for the kids of Daleville because they need another good, safe place to learn in addition to the schools,” Medley said. “Participating in the club will make them more successful in the journey to adulthood.”

Stamps said that the steering committee plans to present plans to the Daleville City Council at the meeting on Nov. 19 at 5:30 p.m.