After-school program opens at Bishop

Students in Franklin County will soon have another opportunity to join together, eat and receive one-on-one assistance with homework after school. Starting Oct. 2, the Ralph C. Bishop Community Center will be the home of Russellville Parks and Recreation Department’s second after-school program.

Director Chad Sears said the program will be mirrored after the existing one held at the Chucky Mullins Center. It will be open from approximately 3-6 p.m. Monday through Friday, he said.

“We want to welcome the kids to the center and provide them with food and tutoring and help in any way we can,” Sears said.

He explained that the after-school program is funded by the CHAMPS grant, which is Cities Combating Hunger Through After School and Summer Meal Programs. The grant will cover the cost of the snacks, meals and staff to serve the food and tutor the students, he said.

“I’m glad we’re now able to offer a healthy meal to the students as well as a snack,” Sears said.

He said his hope is that this program will help out the parents as well by giving them a little time to themselves or time to get things done without trying to juggle everything all at once.

Certified teachers will be at the center to offer free assistance to students with any homework they might have, and the free meals and snacks will come from the Russellville City Schools system menu, Sears explained.

“It’s going to be a time for education, a time to learn and to eat a healthy meal,” Sears said.

The only requirement for the program is that children must be between the ages of 6-18, and they must be enrolled in school. To register, Sears said, parents or guardians can call the center at 256-332-8770 or stop by.