East Cleburne Community Center Activities

KIDS NIGHT OUT: Every Monday night from 5:30-8:30 P.M., youth from ages 4-18 gather at the Center for instruction, homework help, mentoring, and recreation. With classes divided up into 4 age groups, volunteers teach character building skills, manners, cultural awareness, and life skills. Programs that deter gang involvement, drug use, and teen pregnancy are also implemented. Teenagers receive help planning and realizing post-high school goals. Transportation and a meal are provided. Approximately 60-75 youth participate in KNO.

School Supply Give-Away: The week before school starts in August, ECCC gives school supplies away to youth who regularly attend KNO. Some years this also includes backpacks if ECCC has the funding. Approximately 60 youth receive supplies.

A’s And B’s Program: In May, students who regularly attend KNO turn in their report cards. Those who have earned As and Bs receive cash gifts as an incentive to work hard in school. ECCC “buys” the students’ As and Bs, paying 50 cents/B and $1/A. The cash is distributed during our “School Supply Give-Away” in August.

SCORE: (Supervised Curriculum for One-on-One Reading/Math Enrichment) This program operates from 4:00-6:00 P.M. each Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from September through the end of April. In cooperation with CISD, we target elementary and intermediate school students with reading and math skill deficiencies. ECCC picks up the children from school and provides them with a snack. Then a certified teacher meets their tutoring needs. Parents pick the children up afterwards. 10-12 students/year participate in the program

SENIOR'S DAY OUT: Every Tuesday morning, senior citizens from Cleburne , Rio Vista, and Alvarado gather for breakfast, games, and a devotional. Approximately 50-60 seniors attend weekly.

COMPUTER CLASSES: Every Tuesday from 1:00 – 3:00 P.M., computer classes are open to the public. Each class lasts six weeks, covering the basics in using the computer, email, and Internet. The state-of-art computer lab has one teacher’s station and nine student stations. Adults wanting to learn basic skills or needing to enhance their job skills attend the class.

FRIDAY RECREATIONAL NIGHT: On the fourth Friday of every month, ECCC provides recreational activities for youth. A snack is provided.

HOLIDAYS:

Community Easter Egg Hunt: Every Easter Saturday, ECCC conducts an Easter egg hunt for the public. Candy is scattered all over the property and youth ages 1 to 12 enjoy searching and finding their treasures. Prizes are also awarded. Approximately 80 children attend.
Halloween: Each year on October 31st, ECCC provides a safe alternative to Halloween to keep youth off the streets. Games, treats, and a costume contest provide an evening of fun. The event is open to the public. Approximately 70 youth attend.
Christmas: Each December on the Saturday before the school’s Christmas vacation, ECCC holds a Christmas party for the youth who regularly attend its Kids Night Out program. Music and snacks are provided, and Santa Claus visits each year to distribute gifts. Parents or guardians must attend the party for their children to receive the gifts. Approximately 75 youth ages 4-18 regularly attend KNO.

CAMPS:

Spring Day Camp: ECCC conducts a day camp for four days during the school’s spring break. Transportation is provided, as well as breakfast and lunch. The camp includes on site activities/teaching and one field trip. The youth are divided into two age groups to conduct age-appropriate activities and teaching. Approximately 65 youth attend this camp.

Summer Day Camp: ECCC conducts a five day camp the last week of July. Transportation is provided, as well as breakfast and lunch. The camp includes on site activities/teaching and

field trips. The youth are divided into two age groups to conduct age-appropriate activities and teaching. Approximately 65 youth attend this camp.

Back – School – Retreat: The week before school starts in August, ECCC plans a special outing for the youth with consistently good behavior and who regularly attend our programs. Each year is different: some years we take them to a retreat facility overnight; other years, we plan a big day of fun at the park or an extra special field trip. The youth are divided into two age groups to conduct age-appropriate activities and teaching if necessary. Transportation and meals are provided. Approximately 60 youth attend this retreat.

OTHER:

Home Buyer School: Informs prospective new home buyers of their options in purchasing their first home. Six week program begins April 7, 2009 from 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

OTHER PROGRAMS THAT DO NOT HAVE REGULAR SCHEDULES:

Boys 2 Men Mentoring Program: This is a one-on-one mentoring program that matches one boy with one man. A one year contract is signed by both parties with the commitment to meet weekly. This program provides the opportunity for boys who do not have positive male role models to develop wholesome, trusting relationships with an older man. In turn, this opens the door for the boys to receive wise counsel. Mentors do not meet with their mentees at the Center, but rather take them on outings. However, there is a contract signing ceremony at the beginning that is conducted at the Center.
HELP Program: The Higher Education Longevity Project works with graduating seniors. The Center tours different campuses with the seniors, helps in the application process, and helps secure grants/scholarships. Meetings in the spring to facilitate this process are conducted at the Center. Students are also encouraged to sign a contract enabling ECCC to keep in touch with their progress in college. If the student needs assistance of any kind while in college, ECCC works to provide solutions to their problems.

EVENTS:

D.L. Barrett Awards Banquet: Named after our founder, the D. L. Barrett Awards Banquet provides the opportunity to recognize ordinary people who have gone above and beyond normal expectations. Awards categories include Community Service, Humanitarian Service, Outstanding Achievement, Youth Achievement, Youth Service, and recognition of ECCC volunteers. This banquet is also a major fund raiser and includes a silent auction in addition to cash donations from donors. In the past we have used the Civic Center for this event.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Banquet: Every MLK Day, ECCC commemorates Martin Luther King, Jr. with a free luncheon. The event is open to the public and features a well-known speaker who focuses on the accomplishments from the past and the continued need to press into the ongoing goals of "the dream." 200-300 attend this event. In the past we have used the Civic Center for this event.

End of the Year Dinner: Every December 31st, ECCC holds a dinner for all board members and volunteers.