A Longview faith-based charity is working to reduce the number of latchkey preteens who are not involved in afterschool activities and whose families struggle to make ends meet.
More than 1,000 middle school students enrolled in Longview and Pine Tree Independent School Districts fit this description, according to Thrive 360 executive director Jonathan Jehorek. He noticed kids were trailing off from the Boys and Girls Club after fifth grade.
“We began to ask the question, where do these kids go after school and why do they disappear and what’s fueling all that? What could we to attract those kids in the sixth, seventh and eighth grades after school back to this campus?” Jehorek said, one of five employees at the nonprofit that relies heavily on volunteers from area churches.
Jehorek started Thrive 360 last year with backing from Paula Martin Charities. It currently has 29 middle school students who are enrolled in its Beyond the Bell Program providing homework help, physical fitness, mentoring and a hot meal with structured activities until 7:15 p.m. Program director LaRaslum Williams says basically the kids just need to bathe and go to bed when they return home.
“We’re not a babysitting service. It’s not a stop and go. I talk to parents when they sign their kids up to leave them the entire time because we are doing intentional programming,” Williams said.
Seventh grader Maleah Brooks urged her mom to approve Williams’ request. Before Thrive 360, she went home to an empty house after school. Brooks says the staff is respectful and kind, which sets a tone for the kids.
“I was bullied a lot because I’m overweight. Coming to Thrive, nobody judges me on my weight. They look at me as a normal personal with a crazy personality. It helps me be just who I am,” Brooks said.
Jehorek says Thrive 360 is designing a new junior high building on the 39-acre Martin Charities campus that will enable the program to expand. He expects it will be completed late next year.
