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DRAFT LETTER re: HIGGINS & NYPA

 Have a local news story?
Call 549-2007 News Hotline

by Rudy Simone What better way to give back to your community than by participating in fun programs that allow for the growth and development of the youth in the area? That is exactly what is happening at the C.A.O. Community Center at 251 N. Main Street, Angola. Open to all area youth, the Center offers many programs but one in particular, N.U.R.T.U.R.E. is having an important impact on the area. N.U.T.U.R.E. is the acronym for Neighborhoods United for Restoration, Teaching Upliftment, Recreation and Education. The program is run by Coordinator Hope Thompson at the C.A.O. Community Center in Angola at 251 N. Main St. The center and the program have been open since October 2003. N.U.R.T.U.R.E. is open to young people from 4^th to 12^th grades, and encompasses a broad spectrum of ideas and activities. The students from 4^th to 8^th grade, are the group that is the focus of the program while the group from 9^th to 12^th grade act as mentors for the younger students and also help them with homework while earning Community Service hours for their high school courses and college applications. One of N.U.T.U.R.E.’s main components is nutrition awareness. Every day at 4:30, three teams of three kids each, prepare a meal; one does set-up, another does the cooking and the third, cleanup. The day I spoke with Ms. Thompson they were having breaded chicken, corn, mashed potatoes and gravy, with ice cream for dessert. There may be English-muffin pizzas one day, and macaroni and cheese the next, with a vegetable. The point is to teach youngsters how to fend for themselves when mom or dad are at work and not just reach for the peanut butter and jelly every time. They are learning how they can even prepare food at home for hungry parents to come home to, says coordinator Hope. The Center also offers a Debate Club, Reading Club, and a Culture Club, where children learn about other cultures, either within our own society or abroad. To promote awareness and subsequently tolerance, the children hear about life within the African-American and Native American communities, and recently studied life in Italy. In addition to the clubs, there are a pool table, air hockey, foosball and ping-pong tables. There are also Arts and Crafts workshops, which have had projects that involve the children but benefit others. For example, they recently made Christmas cards for local nursing homes. There are numerous special projects. Last week the children created and videotaped their own television commercial for a fictional product. There is also a Special Needs night, on Wednesdays from 6:30-8pm. Participants come from group homes or are individuals living in our area. They are assisted/taught by both staff and children. Besides Hope, there are three other staff members - youth and family aides: Jeremy Sparacio, Brent George, and Chris Gearhart. There is no cost to the community, but when extra money is needed, there are things like bake sales. Anyone wishing to make a monetary or food donation may contact Hope Thompson at the number listed below. Those who would like to stop in or would like to get more information should call Hope Thompson on 549-4180. The hours are 3-6:15pm, Monday thru Friday, 6:30-8pm on Wednesday for Special Needs Night.