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Founded in
1987, the 612 MAC (Madison Area Cooperative) is a small
grass-roots community center in Fairmont. Its mission is to
create a solid foundation for its youth to grow upon and to
develop their minds positively, and to promote general,
social, economic, and educational welfare of the entire
community. The 612 Mac Community Center has brought
numerous programming opportunities to their youth. From
After-School to Community Sports to HIV Awareness to Summer
Youth Day Camp, the Center’s programs strive to educate,
inform, and mold young people in ways which will allow them
to function in the world. Their overall goal is to see that
each child in the community has a good start on the skills
they will need for work, school, and life.
Most of the
children served by 612 MAC Community Center are from
low-income, low-resource African-American families. Family
dynamics are not always stable and 612 MAC tries to remain a
constant source of support in the children’s lives. The
program has as many as thirty children to two volunteers,
who range in age from 6-12. Youth in grades 7-12 are
engaged in interacting with the younger children, helping
with homework, working on math skills, and preparing and
serving snacks as well as mentoring.
The $5,000 grant will
be used for various projects including: a salaried music
instructor, sheet music, music stands, playground equipment,
new computers, and program supplies for an educational
component of the program. These purchases will enable 612
MAC Community Center to offer a music program and continue
the after-school educational programming.
These programs
provide a safe environment for the children to receive
homework help and engage in academic enhancement activities
which ground them in the basic skills of reading and math.
This, in turn, increases their chances at success in school
and their achieving a post-secondary education.
For more
information about the 612 MAC Community Center, please
contact Anna McCright at 304.363.9222. |
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