New programs, new facilities underway at Community Center

Warwick - The excitement in Warwick for this coming school year will be an expanded school care program operated out of the Warwick Valley Community Center, located on the grassy knoll at 11 Hamilton Ave. The program that previously existed, known locally as “Doc Fry” in honor of one of the center’s founding members, will now consist of a morning school program as well as the ever-present afternoon program. The new programs will be run under the guidance of Etta Hicks, former co-director of Park Avenue Care and will begin on Sept. 6. “I am very passionate about what I do,” said Hicks, who brings her creativity based on her experience working with grades kindergarten through fifth. “The quality of care I have always offered will continue at the Warwick Valley Community Center.” The morning program will run from 7 (drop off) to 9 a.m., at a cost of $35 per child. The afternoon program will run from 3:30 to 6 p.m. (pick up), at $40 per child. Transportation, at this time, is only available to those students attending Park Avenue Elementary and is only to the school in the morning and from the school to the WVCC in the afternoon. WVCC Executive Director Karen Thomas said that while transportation is currently limited, she said the center is “open to all members of the community.” The programs are partially funded by The Orange County Youth Bureau and The Orange County United Way. Scholarships and financial assistance is available. The morning children will be offered a fresh breakfast prepared by the program’s staff and they will utilize the large room that will house the new teen center. Those enrolled for the afternoon session will be able to participate, at no extra fee, in all the classes that the WVCC offers its regular members, such as art classes, drama and pottery. In addition, the children will have regularly planned events that will take place throughout the four large rooms that WVCC will make accessible for the program’s sole use, including the auditorium with a large movie screen, kitchen facilities, a game room with a large television screen, and a quiet, secluded room for homework. The children will also have an area for arts and crafts. Weather permitting, the program will take full advantage of the great outdoors. The building is currently undergoing major renovations designed by Pam Durante Williams and primarily funded by Orange County, Town of Warwick and state funds arranged through state Sen. Thomas Morahan. Thomas said that once the changes are completed, the WVCC will have more to offer the community and its children, such as the Teen Center with its computers and games. For information about the Warwick Valley Community Center and its programs, contact Thomas at 845-986-6422.