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UP Kids

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Jamie Savage, 11, and Gabe Shiner, 10, both of Des Moines’ east side, spend some time reading at Union Park United Methodist Church.

Greg and Loretta Downs of Des Moines’ east side, members and volunteers at Union Park United Methodist Church, work in the church’s kitchen Wednesday afternoon to prepare the supper offered at the end of the afterschool program.

Bariaara Menegbo, 10, of Des Moines’ east side, gets help reading from Shirley McClelland, also of Des Moines’ east side on Wednesday afternoon. McClelland is a member of Union Park United Methodist Church and a volunteer with the afterschool program.

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Javonni Taragango, 7, of Des Moines' east side, reads during Wednesday afternoon's after school program at Union Park United Methodist Church.

09-23-2008

Union Park church gives kids a place during early-outs
Program offers homework help, fun and food
By ANDREA KEMP
akemp1@dmreg.com

With a slew of early Wednesday dismissals becoming the norm across the Des Moines' school district, many parents are faced with a dilemma when it comes to finding several extra hours of supervision for their children.

Members of Union Park Methodist Church, 2305 E. 12th St., recognized the problem early this year, beginning an afterschool program in January every Wednesday for school-age students on the city's east side.

"A lot of the kids just need a place to go after school," said Chuck Marvin, an Urbandale resident, church member and volunteer with the program. "I know some of the kids, there's nobody home, so it gives them an opportunity to have a little supervised fun. We try to work with them a little bit on the learning."

Noticing children in the east Des Moines neighborhood unsupervised after Des Moines schools' early releases on Wednesday afternoons, church members began opening their doors to an average of 15 students from Cattell, Phillips, Carver and Hiatt schools.

The students are taken to the church, where they can finish their homework, get help with reading, have fun with crafts and listen to musical entertainment or guest speakers.

"We were looking for a place for some of these parents who don't necessarily have money to pay for afterschool programs, somewhere safe for the kids to be that also provides some education," said Erica Shannon, a senior at Simpson College and director of children's ministry/Christian education for the church.

Union Park Methodist ends the evenings with a free supper for parents, children and church members.

The meal is just another way to extend the church's outreach mission.

"All of us together - parents, kids, volunteers - can just have a good time, just have a really good time gathering together," said Lee Webb, pastor at Union Park Methodist.

"It's like a parents' night out on food; they don't have to cook. A lot of good stuff happens around the table, good relationship building, getting to know one another, the time that walls are broken down and friends are made."

At the end of each Wednesday, after the dishes are cleared and the markers are returned to their boxes, volunteers know they have done their part to improve their east-side community.

"It provides a focus for this church, for the people of our church to do ministry, to get to know others, to be known and get to know folks in our neighborhood, build bridges, relationships, provide a place for families and for kids," Webb said.