***Latest News***
Ray Keller has always been a
supporter of the Friends of the Stevenson Library.
He has recently given a significant contribution to
the Friends to help with the remodeling of the
Learning Center. Major progress is taking place
upstairs at the LC in preparation for three summer
programs. These programs are:
1. EDUCATIONAL TALENT SEARCH
SUMMER PROGRAM. A free federally funded program
for 6-8 graders. It is for 3 weeks beginning in
June. It is for 25 enthusiastic students and is to
help students appreciate higher education and
prepare for college. There will be field trips and
guest speakers. More information at 256-259-3072 or
check with the middle school's ETS counselor.
2. JUNIOR FRIENDS PROGRAM. This
is a new program in cooperation with TVA, United
Givers Fund, and Bridgeport Housing Authority. A
one-week program in the end of June is for selected
youth 8-12 yo that will include field trips and
emphasize what it means to be a "friend”.
3. SUMMERSCAPES. This
annual event is being moved back to the last two
weeks of July. Focusing on children's enrichment
programs over a 2 week period there will be many
exciting things to sign up for. Early registration
will be during the Depot Days Parade. Keep an eye
out for the classes and times.
Prior
to his death in the 1996 TWA accident, Michael Scott,
a member of the Library Board, suggested opening a
learning center in the building next door to the
Library. One service he suggested providing was a
tutoring program for youth in grades 1-12. After
Michael's death, the Librarian, the Library Board, and
the Friends of the Library began making his
dream a reality. In 1998, two years after Stevenson
lost this dreamer, with support from the Stevenson
Housing Authority, memorials, memberships, and
proceeds from fundraisers, the Friends of the
Library opened the Michael Scott Learning
Center.
Grant money has since been acquired and used to
provide a coordinator/teacher for the after-school
tutoring program for grades 1-12. The goal is for
youth to achieve academically, gain self-esteem, and
complete their education. Other current uses of the
Michael Scott Memorial Learning Center include GED
preparation classes, book sales, and community
meetings.
One of the
most recent and most exciting additions to the
Learning Center's programming is that of special
just-for-fun continuing education opportunities
for people of all ages. The first annual Summerscapes
was designed after a successful summer enrichment
program seen in Hickory, North Carolina. It premiered
in the summer of 2002. Since then we have had a second
Summerscapes program and a Winterscapes program.
Mission Statement
Realizing
the difficulties in furthering education and cultural
enrichment in our rural area we are organized and
committed to bring about community wide change. We are
specifically motivated to fund, organize, and develop
several projects, namely:
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Tutor At
Risk Students. We supply qualified teachers for
after school tutoring for the most neglected students.
We work with each student's teacher to develop a game
plan for success
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Develop
and Organize Creative Enrichment Programs. We have
developed a Winterscapes and a Summerscapes program
which are concentrated over a 2-4 week period twice a
year to enhance the arts and cultural events in the
community. These are open to all people in the area
regardless of income or race. We provide scholarships
when necessary to particularly needy children.
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House Community Programs.
We provide a safe harbor for community programs like
Adult Education, GED courses, and Christmas Charities
events. |
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