Kids4Kids, an after-school drop-in program for children wrapped up for another school year this week.
Kids4Kids, began in 2011 and was created to have a positive impact on Grades 6 and 7 students facing challenges from poverty and family issues and help them make healthy life choices. It runs on Monday afternoons. Children play hockey, soccer and other sports and also have opportunities to learn skills that include cooking and sewing. Some students even help prepare lunches for their peers.
The school hosted a party, with a hamburger barbecue and cake, Monday to mark the end of another school year.
“There are about 50 kids in the program,” said Sheryl Armstrong, retired RCMP sergeant, who has worked with the program through Nanaimo RCMP’s School Liaison and Community Policing divisions since its inception.
Georgia Avenue Community School is the only school in Nanaimo operating Kids4Kids, but there are programs operating at schools in other central and north Island communities.
Armstrong said the program will continue in the fall.