West Medford Afterschool Youth Club Enrolling News Members

Afternoon youth activities at the West Medford Community Center (WMCC) have restarted for the 2014-2015 school year, and are taking shape under a new name: the West Medford Afterschool Youth Club (AYC).

The AYC offers Medford students a safe, healthy, learning environment for a variety of activities intended to inspire and challenge them to study, stay active, socialize, and share skills, expertise and ideas. It is currently managed by Medford in the Middle, Inc. (MinM) with the participation and assistance of local seniors, parents, and college students from Tufts Literacy Corps. Every school day afternoon between 2:45pm and 6pm, multiple student Leaders and other volunteer Leaders are on hand at WMCC to assist youth with homework, provide tutoring, supervise computer use, and facilitate sports, games, musical fun, discussions and other activities according to youth interests and needs.

Special programs and activities unfolding over the next few months include a Tang Soo Do class, Math Games, Discovering Politics, and Presentation Skills sessions. Youth will also have occasions to earn a Red Cross babysitting certification, learn Scratch programming, watch movies, and enjoy other learning opportunities.

The AYC is still enrolling members for 2014-2015. It is targeted to Medford students aged 10-14 years or grades 5-8, however it welcomes Medford high-schoolers seeking tutoring help. It can also accommodate children over 8 years who are ready to handle the relative freedom of a “drop-in” program or who come with a parent volunteer. WMCC is served by the Medford Public School buses (#5 from the middle schools, #7 from Brooks) making it an easily accessible afternoon resource for kids.

Membership fees and volunteer efforts support the operations of the AYC. School year membership (Sep-Jun) is $50 or $25 per semester (Sep-Jan; Feb-Jun), which includes drop-in access and activities. Generous sibling rates are available. Families may also choose to volunteer hours in lieu of payment. All adult volunteers will be CORIed.

The AYC is grateful to its volunteers for their time, energy, and commitment to the safety and growth of our Medford youth. NEW ADULT VOLUNTEERS ARE ALWAYS WELCOME! If you are able and willing to help out, even a few hours a month – for example, to share career experiences or demonstrate a hobby—please email MedfordintheMiddle@gmail.com

MEDFORD-IN-THE-MIDDLE (MinM) is an independent non-profit organization, which aims to support Medford ‘middle-schoolers’ and their families by providing resources and opportunities appropriate to and enriching the middle-school experience.

The WEST MEDFORD COMMUNITY CENTER (WMCC) is a longstanding community resource offering a forum to connect the diverse people of West Medford and the Mystic River Valley through social, educational, cultural, health and recreational activities.

The TUFTS LITERACY CORPS (TLC) is a tutoring and academic support program that places, trains and supervises Tufts students who provide one-on-one tutoring, staff local homework centers, and lead community based enrichment activities.

– Submitted by Deborah Soule