A five-year grant through the federal Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Center program allowed a Boys and Girls Club site to open in Woodville. The site is in the old multi-purpose building at the former Woodville Intermediate School. The site director said the program has been open to Woodville children for a month and is doing well.
The program serves first through fifth graders, who are bused over from school. Activities begin with snacks, followed by an academic hour where staff help with homework and a math or reading lesson. Children then join clubs, from STEM to creative arts, depending on the day. More than 30 children currently take part, and the site's goal is 75. Program staff said they are also hiring certified teachers for tutoring and offer a six-week summer program.
The Woodville site is one of nine Texas ACE 21st century afterschool programs in the region. Other sites are in Corrigan, San Augustine and Nacogdoches. Program specialist Carol Cardona said many rural towns have few options for kids after school, and that providing a space for them has been rewarding. The site director said he hopes to work with community members to keep the program growing.