OBI helps at-risk kids become 'all that'

NEW ORLEANS - If your city has 'New' in its name, chances are there's an OBI learning center nearby.

This fall, All That for Kids learning centers opened in New Orleans, New York City, and Newport News, Va., with the goal of offering innovative, 21st century learning opportunities to at-risk students.

"Many children in kindergarten cannot write their name and their reading levels are low," said Peggy Beisler, Operation Blessing's child development and education manager. "We want to see their character and attitude toward learning and education change, so we designed a curriculum that will help them see that learning is cool."

So far, it seems to be working. After only one month at the New Orleans center, 9-year-old Robert is completing his homework, participating in class, and impressing his third grade teacher.

"He had a note from his teacher saying how much he has improved," said Schwanell Nichols, director of the All That for Kids center in New Orleans. "Principals and guidance counselors are coming to check out our program because they see the difference in the children."

Learning centers offer programs in reading, math, computers, sports, health, art, character education, and homework assistance to children from kindergarten to eighth grade.

"The kids here need this," Nichols said. "They come consistently and they are excited to be here. It's a slow process, but you can see the change."

Additional learning centers are scheduled to open in 2007.