Helping Youth Pursue Excellence (HYPE) After School Programs

7 sites: M.H. Newton Family Life Enrichment Center, South Hope Center, North Hope Center, Enon Missionary Baptist Church, Trinity Missionary Baptist Church, Jehovah Christian Academic School, New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church

H.Y.P.E. (Helping Youth Pursue Excellence) After School Program began in 2002 with only the support of Jehovah Missionary Baptist Church and Clemson Extension. In January of 2005 the M.H. Newton Family Life Enrichment Center entered into an agreement to provide an after school program with Sumter School District 17. The plan was to choose 7 students from each elementary and middle school in the district. Our goal was to have new, first-year teachers work with these children after school. However this plan failed. In August of 2005, working with school principals, guidance counselors, teachers and parents, students were selected to start participating in the H.Y.P.E. program. By August of 2006 H.Y.P.E. had 150 students enrolled in the program with 35 children on the waiting list.

Today the program has a total of 7 sites which serve children in the city and county of Sumter. H.Y.P.E. currently serves approximately 500 students; 55 students at the North Hope Center, 75 students at the South Hope Center, 140 students at the M.H. Newton Family Life Enrichment Center, 40 students at Jehovah Christian Academic School, 100 students at Trinity Missionary Baptist Church, 50 students at New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church and 40 students at Enon Missionary Baptist Church.

H.Y.P.E. students are transported to each site by school buses and receive a hot meal daily upon arrival. The program operates Mondays thru Fridays from 2:30 until 5:30pm during the school year. The purpose of H.Y.P.E. is to provide a safe, secure environment for children during after school hours. H.Y.P.E. students receive academic enrichment, tutoring and recreation with certified teachers and college mentors. Some other activities offered through the program are dance, art, music and Tae Kwon Do as well as computer/technology activities. Parent literacy is also an important component of H.Y.P.E. Continuing education and GED programs are offered to parents of H.Y.P.E. students.

Tutoring, Homework Help, Recreation, Reading & Computer/Technology activities are offered through the program. Mentors & Certified Teachers assist students, Home cooked meals served to children daily, Art, Taekwondo, Dance & Music classes offered.