Program gives kids a reason to dream

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Winnipeg Free Press, Monday September 29, 2008
Reproduced with permission.
Photo: Boris Minkevich/Winnipeg Free Press

Youth centre provides help with homework, a place to relax

Norm McLean (left) helps Richard Sheppard with his homework as Ken Opaleke, Desiree Patterson and her sister, Dallas, keep and eye on things.

A bookshelf, full of used books, takes up one wall.

An old, oversized, light brown leather couch -- that can squish in up to nine people on movie night -- takes up another corner.

And the array of drawings, photographs and lists marking the group's top readers that consumes all available wall space looks a little messy.

However, it's not until you hear that 100 children pass through the room each week or that no fewer than four of its regulars went on to medical school that you realize just how special this United Way agency partner really is.

It's Wednesday at about 6 p.m. -- homework night for the youth drop-in centre -- and kids are pulling out their notebooks to receive help on their assignments.

"Multiplication tables are big right now," said Ken Opaleke, co-director of the program, adding each child can get some help on whatever class they might be struggling with.

The Homework Club runs each Monday and Wednesday night, and relies on Opaleke, his partner, Amanda Martinson, and about 11 volunteers -- ranging from high school and university students, to teachers -- to lend a hand to these school-age children.

On a regular night, about 30-plus students find their way to the club, whether they're are in real need of help on assignments or simply looking for a quiet place to do some reading.

Opeleke has been running the program for the last 15 years and can list student after student who has benefited from attending.

He points at one little girl, sitting quietly across the room reading. "That's Dallas," he says.

"When she first started coming here all she could read was Dr. Seuss's Hop on Pop. Now, she's flying through Harry Potter Books."

Dallas is 11 years old. She and three of her siblings started coming to the centre about 18 months ago and they usually drop by three or four times a week.

Then, there's Kyle, who's just about to turn 14. When he first came to Opaleke six months ago, his highest grade was in gym and it was only in the 50 per cent range. Now, he averages in the 80 per cent range in all of his classes. "The only factor that changed in his life was us," said Opaleke.

Next, he points out Norm McLean, who is leaning over one girl's shoulder helping her with her math homework. "Doctor number 4," Opaleke smiles.

McLean is 25, and with more than $57,000 worth of scholarships in hand, has just started his second year of medical school.

He started attending the program 15 years ago. Once a shy, 10-year-old boy, looking for help and guidance from Opaleke, McLean is now tall, confident and returning the favour by tutoring at the centre at least one day a week.

"I kind of hung around here and never left," said McLean. "Being here helped me see the potential that I had, that I never would have seen before."

Each year, 400 to 800 different children use the facility, which was founded in 1981. In 1989, United Way began partnering with the West Broadway Youth Outreach program to help children and youth achieve their potential.

With just two paid employees, the program counts on the help of volunteers, donations and the $80,000-a-year funding it receives from United Way.

Opaleke is proud of the good work his program does for inner-city children. But, as he looks around the room, he's not blind to the fact he needs more space, more money and more supplies.

"They're just so worth it," he said, looking at the busy students, including one youngster intensely working on her math problems.

"You just can't pay for that."