If you stand on the steps of Hamilton School between 7:30 and 5:30 each weekday, you’d swear another school year was already in session. But alas! You are mistaken, it’s only the Project Five Day Care Center, a summer program sponsored by residents through the Skinker-DeBaliviere Community Council. All that “noise” is really the teenagers, the teachers, and the children all having a great time.
The staff of the Day Care Center strives to keep the Center from becoming merely a babysitting service. They provide a variety of experiences for the children in field trips, arts and crafts, and dancing, just to mention a few activities. The entire program is free of charge. The days have moved smoothly into weeks and here it is almost a month since its official opening on June 15.
But all was not so smooth a few weeks ago. The problem that existed then will exist next summer if some constructive action is not taken. This problem is not only the problem of the Day Care Center teenage employees, but it is one for all teenagers seeking employment in the summer.
The problem is simply this; the teenagers supposedly have a decisive part in the organization of summer programs, we do not, we vote on proposals already drawn up. After our vote is taken (incidentally the youth usually accept the proposals “suggested” by the adults in their infinite wisdom), we hear nothing about the programs until summer approaches. And if you ask questions you have a pretty hard time obtaining some straight answers. All of a sudden summer’s here! Then we are informed of the problems like the lack of funds for the teens’ salaries, agruments between the adults who worked on the programs and the N.Y.C.
Disagreements, confusion and personal grudges seem to reign among the adults who set up the summer programs. This sort of laxity among the adults concerning the organization of programs which involve a good portion of the community is abhorring. They should in my opinion strive to set a good example for the youth.
Speaking of the youth, I think that they have behaved extremely well after being disregarded by the adults. They worked hard in the programs without the guarantee of receiving a salary. Hoorah, for the youth who can be disillusioned and still think the world is pretty good place after all. ’Nuff said!
Carolyn Harnett, director of the Day Care Center would appreciate any help or information concerning the possibility of obtaining a building so that the Day Care Center may become a year-round program. If anyone has any information, please call: Carolyn Harnett, 361-8337.
Everyone is invited to visit the Day Care Center at all times. We are open from 7:30 to 5:30, Monday through Friday.
Originally published in The Paper, August 1970.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times1970_08.pdf, printed page(s) 10.
Original photograph, PDF page 10: Bob Moore.
