Programs were paused when The Literacy & Learning Center’s facility suffered extensive damage due to a frozen and burst pipe during the deep winter freeze in December.
After a brief hiatus, programs resumed thanks to the generosity of the Highlands United Methodist Church for sharing their original fellowship hall with TLLC to hold their after-school programs.
During the transitional adjustment period, partner programs remained on hold, allowing time for students, volunteers, and staff to acclimate to the new space and the accompanying shifts in process.
After-School Enrichment, TLLC’s Monday through Thursday after-school program for Kindergarteners through 3rd graders, provides homework assistance and engaging educational activities. These group programs are made available in large part thanks to partnerships with other local nonprofits, including The Bascom, Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust, Highlands Biological Station, the International Friendship Center, and the Hudson Library, each visiting the students on site monthly throughout the school year.
The Bascom, a longstanding community partner, provides a supplemental art education program for TLLC students, as well as art instruction through their annual Education Fellow during the learning center’s summer camps.
Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust provides environmental and nature-based education and activities to increase environmental literacy and enrich the lives of Highlands’ youth. Their goal is to get kids excited about nature and the Great Outdoors.
The Highlands Biological Station provides “Nature on the Go!” programming with fun, interactive outdoor experiences as participants learn about the natural world through lessons that reinforce concepts from their school curricula and hands-on opportunities not always available in the classroom.
In 2022, TLLC and IFC were awarded a grant from First Bank to initiate a series of cooking and nutrition classes designed to teach children about the joys of cooking, as well as instruct them in healthy eating habits that they can take home to their families. And Hudson Library offers monthly programming at TLLC, an extension of their on-site program, Kids Zone, with STEAM explorations such as building sets, crafts, and other hands-on activities.
“Our after-school program wouldn’t be the same without our partners,” TLLC’s Programs Manager, Caroline Cox said. “The kids always look forward to discovering new activities, ideas, and crafts. It is so important for students to learn through hands-on experiences and that’s exactly what our partners provide.”
If you or someone you know learning more, contact Cox at 828-526-0863 or ccox@theliteracyandlearningcenter.org