Children in two communities of Greene County are showing marked improvements in their academics, thanks to local after school programs. A recent evaluation of an after school program in the Sycamore community shows that children who participated in its 2001 - 2002 after school activities have brought their grades up by one letter grade. The Sycamore community also has had reductions in crime rates and increased parent involvement in schools since the program started. Since that time, the after school program has expanded into the Morningside community and is also showing positive results.

The Greene County Family Connection Commission and the Greensboro Housing Authority sponsor the two programs. They provide tutorial services, homework assistance, drug education and extracurricular activities to at-risk children ages 5 to 12. The programs also receive financial support from the Greene County Board of Commissioners and other private agencies in the county.

"We are proud to have support from the Greene County Board of Education," says Targie Parks, coordinator of the Greene County Family Connection Commission. "The Board has designated two certified teachers who coordinate programs and work directly with the children during after school hours. The students seem more motivated to improve their grades because of their relationships with the same teachers during the school day."

The Sycamore after school program continues to grow. Originally serving only five children and housed in a one-bedroom unit, the program now serves 25 children each day, and activities are housed in a four-bedroom unit. The Greensboro Housing Authority helped in collaborative efforts to expand the program into larger space.

A Right from the Start Medicaid Outreach Worker, who is redeployed from the local health department, also uses the building as a satellite office to provide Medicaid services to expectant mothers in the community.