DAVENPORT, Iowa — After 30 years in the community, an after-school program in Davenport said it simply needs more space.
Kids in kindergarten through 6th grade come to Hope at the BRICK House, found at 1431 Ripley Street, every day after school.
One staff member, Mary Bein, brought her daughter to the BRICK House when she was in 6th grade to get help with her homework. Bein shared some of the activities she does with kids during the program.
"We have different things to do every day," Bein said. "We do reading, we do crafts, we do outside games, we bring special speakers, sometimes."
Staff and volunteers give the kids a snack and dinner before sending them home at 5:30 p.m.
During the summer, the program runs all day. They take field trips to the pool, parks and nature walks.
Joyce Klopp is the director. She converted the building from a bar to an after-school program 30 years ago. She said the program gives kids a place to stay while their parents work.
"I've always said you can put a youth center about every five blocks and still not meet all the needs," Klopp said. "There's just, you know, there's kids in our neighborhoods, there's parents working, there's all kinds of different needs, and we are all trying to fill those needs."
Kids in the program shared why they love coming to the BRICK House.
"They really show how much they love you," Azzy, who just aged out of the program, said.
"I recommend taking your kids here because the parents don't have to cook dinner, they serve dinner here," Brielle said.
"You should go to brick house, it's fun, because you get to learn about God, and you go on field trips," Corianna said.
Parents like Madison Preisser value the staff's compassion.
"I love the fact that my son feels safe here," Preisser said. "He can come gather here. He loves being here."
With more kids than ever in the program, Klopp said it simply needed more room.
"We were taking half of our kids to another location," Klopp said. "Sometimes it was a church, sometimes a school. And we just didn't have space."
Construction is already underway on the addition. It will include three new classrooms and a set of restrooms.
"Once it gets done, we'll be able to have everybody under one roof and do what we can do in a more efficient way," Klopp said.
The $400,000 addition is funded entirely through donations. It's expected to be finished before the start of next school year.
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