PROJECT

Forest Park Program
A new after-school program was launched in the fall of 2005 under the leadership of Communities In Transformation (C.I.T.) program director Toni Branyon. Working with a task force from Forest Park First Baptist Church in Forest Park, GA, they started an after-school pilot program. Third through fifth grade students from 2 different elementary schools are transported by school buses to the after-school program. The program meets five days a week and is free of charge.

"Parents are grateful for a program that is free and gives their children a safe place to go after school," Branyon said. "[The program] is a place with people that will love them, help them with their homework, encourage them and help them identify their strengths."

Already 32 students are being helped by volunteers. The program has seen positive changes in a very short period of time.

"The children’s grades are improving. Parents, teachers, and volunteers have reported the children’s behavior has improved; community relationships are being formed," Branyon said. "Parents are being more active in the schools. Church members and after school families are forming relationships. Some after-school families are even visiting the church."

The after-school program is the first phase of the launch of C.I.T., an outreach of the Lifeshape Foundation. Branyon says she envisions a growing impact on the community. Future project goals include expanding the base of partners who are working to transform the community to include school systems, more churches and community leaders.

"C.I.T. is about after-school programs; it is about creating a unique model program within the community to meet the needs of the youth in the community," Branyon said. "This is what will transform the community: Start with the children and help them with academics, character development, identifying and developing strengths, talents, interests and service. C.I.T. creates the plan then identifies the resources and helps pull everyone together for a common cause."