THE HOPE CENTER

Please click here to view Forrest Hill's HOPE Center Newsletter

Better Basics and the Fairfield community joined forces to receive a 21^st Century Community Learning Center grant to open an after-school program at the Fairfield Community Center. This is a federal grant under the No Child Left Behind Act that is administered through the Alabama State Department of Education. The HOPE Center promotes healthy minds, bodies, and spirits through academic instruction, enrichment programs and community involvement. The HOPE Center officially opened on Jan. 20, 2009. It's open to students from Robinson Elementary School and Forest Hills Middle School from 3-6 p.m. on school days. The center offers each child a healthy snack, homework assistance, reading intervention, a fitness program, and exciting enrichment opportunities including musical and theatrical performances, gardening activities and special guest speakers.

In January 2011, Better Basics will open two new HOPE Center sites in Fairfield. The sites will be located at Glen Oaks and C. J. Donald Elementary Schools.

Camp HOPE student playing a "Making Healthy Food Choices" computer game

This summer Better Basics offered a 9-week camp experience featuring unique enrichment opportunities from music and the creative arts to computer technology, rockets, and health in a creative and nurturing environment. It was the goal of Better Basics Camp HOPE to provide a fun, healthy, safe and enriching environment for children who have completed grades kindergarten through eighth. Camp HOPE was held at Robinson Elementary School located at 301 61st Street, Fairfield, AL 35064. Camp took place from June 2nd - July 3rd from 12 noon to 5 p.m. and from July 6th - July 31st from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Better Basics Camp HOPE offered 9 weeks of camp for $115. For more information on Camp HOPE, please contact Program Director, Debranyo "D.D." Clark at hopectrdir@betterbasics.org or at 205.944.2928. ext.309.