This year’s YES program was delayed by a few days, according to Linda Watson-Kaufman.

“However, our dedicated high school teachers who offer after-school instruction volunteered to offer their services at no charge until funding clarification came through,” said Linda Watson-Kaufman, Director of the Grants Development & Sponsored Projects at Georgia College and university liaison to two after school programs – YES and the High Achievers. “Luckily, this past Monday, we were able to secure assurance to obligate funds to reopen.”

Oak Hill Middle School students will start their YES after-school activities Aug. 26 with a mandatory parent meeting at 5:30 p.m. in the Discovery Center. For Midway Elementary fifth-graders, the doors open Aug. 31 with parent meeting on the Aug. 27 at 5 p.m. in the Media Center.

Eagle Ridge students in grades 3, 4, and 5 begin programming on Sept. 8 with parents meeting on Sept. 3 at 5:30 p.m. in the cafeteria.

“The YES Program is an investment in the Milledgeville-Baldwin County community,” Watson-Kaufman said, and an “effective partnership between Georgia College, Baldwin County Schools, Baldwin County Parks and Recreation, and many, many Baldwin citizens.”

The program aims to support youth in grades 3 through 12 with on-time promotion, persistence to graduation, and job or college readiness. Activities also reach out to families directed by Richard Hartry the YES Adult Program Coordinator.

In its third year of operation, YES, Baldwin County’s 21st Century Community Learning Center program funded by the Georgia Department of Education,
offers after school homework assistance and tutorial support delivered in small group settings by certified teachers.

YES also offers enrichment activities such as digital photography, dance, theater, violin, drumming, aerobics, Spanish, martial arts, p/e, job readiness, entrepreneurial projects, service learning, and leadership programs. This year, program activities have expanded to include orchestra at Eagle Ridge, a public achievement program at Oak Hill Middle School, and a YES Apprentice Institute at Baldwin High School. YES also added program activities for 5th graders at Midway.

The YES Program is a $4.92 million multi-year grant-funded project. For the current academic year, more than $1 million in funds will allow the program to reach more than 550 Baldwin County students.

“Teachers, students, and staff can hardly wait until YES starts,” Watson-Kaufman said. “We look forward to new discoveries and opportunities for Baldwin County students and their families.”