Author: Tammy Lane • First Posted: Thursday, February 03, 2011

Gallery (click any photo to view the gallery)

UK students are among the community volunteers in the Educational Safe House program, which helps FCPS students get back on track academically and socially.

For students who need extra support to push through personal obstacles and complete their schooling, the Educational Safe House program provides one-on-one tutoring, mentoring and structured activities in a community-based environment.

“This keeps them busy and focused on their academics. But we’re also letting them have fun and socialize with kids their own age, and it gives them positive role models to look up to,” said Lynda Frazier, the 21^st Century Community Learning Center grant manager at Martin Luther King Jr. Academy for Excellence.

Dozens of middle and high school students across Fayette County Public Schools take advantage of the Safe House program, which began four years ago at MLK Academy. Host sites now include the Center for Technical Education, the University of Kentucky and Consolidated Baptist Church.

“It mainly helps students who are behind and trying to graduate on time. They’re determined to get every student back on track,” said Devante Warfield, a senior at Henry Clay High School. “You’ve got to want it just as bad,” he added. “It’s not a program where you come and fool around.”

Devante, who participates three days a week, is finishing his class requirements through PLATO Learning, a self-paced online program that enables students to recover course credits.

“You’ve got to be ready to work, be determined and put your mind to it,” he said.

Social workers and teachers from FCPS and volunteers from community partners like Bluegrass Youth for Christ are on hand during the two-hour, after-school sessions. In addition to using PLATO, students can get help doing homework and preparing for the ACT and SAT.

Students also have opportunities to create socially conscious music, writing and dance. Among this semester’s highlights are the March 19 talent show and fashion show at the recently re-opened Lyric Theatre & Cultural Arts Center.

Field trips, such as to the Muhammad Ali Center in Louisville, weekend enrichment events and service projects at the Catholic Action Center are among other options.

“We’re trying to equip students with the social skills to be successful in a community setting,” Frazier said. “We’re also trying to encourage the kids to give back.”

Students are referred by school social workers, counselors, Family Resource/Youth Services Centers, and community-based youth organizations.

Shelsy Penman, a sophomore at Bryan Station High School, is grateful she landed in the program. After falling behind academically in Cincinnati, she moved to Lexington and has regained her focus through PLATO.

“It’s fun, but it’s hard work at the same time,” she said. “We just try to get our grades up. … If I didn’t go through this, I’d still be a freshman rather than graduating next year.”

Shelsy has also made new friends at UK, where the Center for Community Outreach coordinates its Safe House volunteers.

“It’s not just a tutoring program. It’s questions about life, different jobs and such,” said UK student Daniel Weeks, chairman of the Operation Motivation committee in PLAY (Placing Leaders Among Youth).

For instance, the college students give campus tours, explain how to apply to UK and provide a reality check for what university life is really all about.

Freshman Kelsey McCaffrey, an elementary education major, hopes their efforts have a positive impact on the FCPS students.

“We get satisfaction in seeing them complete their assignments and get their credits,” she said. “It makes us feel good that we’re actually helping them.”

In the archives

• MLK, Winburn receive enrichment grants

Resources

• Lynda Frazier at Martin Luther King Jr. Academy for Excellence, (859) 381-4040