Learning doesn’t have to stop at the end of the school day or even at the end of the school year.  At the Housing Authority of Bowling Green…after-school and summer hours are crucial to the student’s academic success.  In this week’s “View from the Hill”…Amy Bingham tells us how WKU is playing an important part in the process.

More than 175 at-risk kids go to the Housing Authority of Bowllng Green..not because they have to, because they want to.  Given the social and academic support they receive, it’s clearly time well spent.

“From the time they walk in, they’re special, they matter.”

“It’s more than a place to be for a couple of house until parents get home.”

It may be part fun and games…but for these kids…the Housing Authority of Bowling Green is setting them up for success.

“We’ve gone from a place that does homework and rescues at-risk kids to a place that prepares kids to be successful..we want them to go to college.”

Four years ago…the Housing Authority teamed up with Western Kentucky University and local school systems for the “ICAN2” program..curriculum focused on helping failing students.

“Brought them up three levels in six weeks time.”

Dr. Pam Petty is considered the brainchild behind the curriculum.  She knew from the first visit to the Housing Authority that Western’s resources were a perfect fit.

“I was so impressed with the staff and the services they offered the children and the respectful environment that it was.”

The program has since expanded from I-CAN to Wee Can…helping even younger students be successful so there’s no need for intervention.  This fall, thanks to a new grant, they’ll have a curriculum focused on high achievers.

“One thing missing is experience..they don’t travel, they don’t have books in their home.”

So when play time is over..the message to these kids is clear.

“Want them to know education is their best shot.”

The Jessie Ball Dupont Fund has just made a 150-thousand dollar commitment to the partnership between WKU and the Housing Authority of Bowling Green.  The money will be used over a three year period to enhance the I-CAN-2 program. 

With this week’s View from the Hill, I’m Amy Bingham.