Family support program up for consideration in Othello recently

OTHELLO — An effort is underway in Othello to start a new non-profit organization that would help kids and families prepare for school, and what comes after graduation.

Othello superintendent Chris Hurst and a group of 11 teachers, community members and administrators spent a few days in New York City studying the program of the Harlem Children’s Zone, a private organization mostly supported by donations. They reported on what they found at the Monday meeting of the Othello School Board.

“I think we walked away with our minds just blown,” Hurst said. The Harlem program provides support for families from the time children are born to the time they start college.

The Children’s Zone provides services for parents of newborns and toddlers, a preschool, after-school tutoring and activities. The program is open to all children in the designated area, whatever school they attend, Hurst said. “If they can do it, why not us?” he said. The program is successful now, but “they didn’t start there. They started just like we’re starting right now, sitting around the table, trying to figure it out, lot of questions, lot of struggle.” But, Hurst said, he was confident Othello could build something similar.

Attendees said they brought back both inspiration and good ideas.

The program provides interlocking classes and support for parents and kids, starting with the baby-toddler program, moving to preschool, then the school support program. There is a charter school, Hurst said, but children don’t have to attend it to participate.

“It was birth to through college commitment,” said Othello High School teacher Charlotte Simpson. “They not only support students, they support families,” said Heidi Wagner, the district’s early childhood coordinator. “If they have to hold your hand along the way, they will.”

Teachers took lessons to the kids if they had to, Wagner said. The commitment includes counseling for high school students, helping kids get experience in possible career fields, filling out college applications, financial aid and college class schedules. The children “love them (the teachers and staff) because of that,” Wagner said. Hurst said about 70 percent of the funding comes from private sources, and about 90 percent of the budget is spent for programs. Administration is about 10 percent.

The initial steps toward building a similar program in Othello are already being considered, Hurst said. A 501(c)(3), a business plan and the end goals are being considered. One important component, Hurst said, will be a director who is willing to ask potential donors for money – a lot of money, because it would be expensive. The goal is to start installing some of the programs for 2017-18, he said.