Freetown Community Center

Summer Vacation Program Field Day 2012:

After-School Program Fun 2011:

Seniors Rock!

Mad Hatters 2011:

After-School Program.

This program serves youth ages 5K-5th grade. It provides supervised recreational activities with an emphasis on tutoring and homework assistance. In addition the program offers; Martin Luther King Enrichment Day, Essay Contests, Pool tournament, Career Day, Intramural Sports Day, Spelling Bee, Kite Day, Easter Egg Hunt, Back to School Motivational Program, and Christmas Programs.

Registration for After-School Programs is accepted throughout the school year as space is available. Registration fee is $25. Monthly fee is $30. School District bus drop-off is available from Hollis Elementary and Tanglewood and Berea Middle. GCRD picks up at Welcome, Armstrong, Monaview, Westcliff, Alexander, and Berea Elementary Schools for an additional fee of $50 per month.

Classes & Enrichment Activities for Youth Enrolled in the After School Program Boy Scouts: Meet every Thursday at 4:00pm Greenville County Library Story Time: 2nd Wednesday of each month at 4:15pm Girls Mentoring Class: Every Thursday at 4:00pm Youth Aerobics Class: Every Monday at 4:30pm . AKA’s Emerging Young Leaders Class for girls in grades 6th – 8th every 2nd Saturday at 10:00am

Special Events for After School Youth After-School and Community Halloween Party: Thursday, October 2oth at 5:00pm After-School Field Trips: Quarterly Annual After-School Christmas Program: Thursday, December 8th at 6:30pm . After-School Halloween Party Tuesday, October 23rd at 5:00pm . After-School and Community Annual Christmas Program, Thursday, December 13th at 6:00pm .

Summer Vacation Program

Summer Day Camp for ages 6 – 11 entering grades 1st through 6th begins June 2013.  Registration begins in April.

Senior Citizen Programs

This program for adults ages 50+ is offered from September – May and meets on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays from 10:30am – 1:00pm. Field trips and special events are offered for seniors on Thursdays. Meals are provided by Senior Action for seniors on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays from 11:30am – 12:30pm. Activities range from health education, penny pokeno, Red Hat Society, and more.

Classes & Enrichment Activities for Seniors Seniors Line Dance Class every Thursday at 10:30am Seniors Water Aerobics Class every 1st and 3rd Tuesday at Westside Aquatic Complex at 10:30am . Seniors Health Education, Food and Nutrition classes every 2nd Tuesday of the month at 10:30am . Monthly visits to Tomato Vine every 4th Tuesday

Special Events for Seniors: Seniors Trip to the State Fair: Wednesday, October 17th . Seniors Red Hat Society and Seniors Anniversary Luncheon, Thursday, October 25th at Red Lobster at 11:00am Seniors Thanksgiving Luncheon – VFW Post 6734 – November – Date & Time TBD

Community Partners

We want to offer a special thank you to the Ladies of Pi Zeta Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. for donating book-bags and school supplies for our summer campers, and to the Ladies of Essence, The Bridge Club, and the Freetown Crime Watch for their donations to the Summer Day Camp Scholarship Fund. Freetown Men’s Club St. Mary’s AME Church Friendship Baptist Church Life Restoration Center Greenville County Redevelopment Authority PI Zeta Omega Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Student League of Black Culture – Furman University Essence – The Bridge Club Heller Service Corps, Furman University Bob Jones University Hands On Greenville United Way

Community Meetings:

Community Meetings are held at the center the 1st Thursday of each month at 6 pm.

Classes & Enrichment Activities for Seniors:

Seniors Arthritis Exercise Class: Every Tuesday & Wednesday at 10:30am Gentiva Hospice Arts & Crafts Class: 2nd Tuesday of each month

Classes & Enrichment Activities for Youth Enrolled in the After School Program:

Boy Scouts: Meet every Thursday at 4:00pm Greenville County Library Story Time: 3rd Wednesday of each month at 4:15pm Clemson Extension 4-H Class: 3rd Monday of each month at 4:00pm Girls Mentoring Class: Every Thursday at 4:00pm Boys to Men Enrichment Program: Every Friday at 4:30pm Youth Aerobics Class: Every Monday at 4:30pm Basketball Development Class: Every Monday at 4:30pm Step Team: Workshops begin in September – Dates and Time TBA – call 864-295-3567 for more information.

Special Events:

Seniors Health Class with Greenville Family Practice: Tuesday, March 22 Seniors Annual Mad-Hatters Tea and Talent Show: Thursday, March 24 Seniors Blood Pressure Screening: 2nd Tuesday of Each Month, 10:30am After-School Coalition Annual Spelling Bee at Greenville Tech: Friday, April 8 – 7:00pm Annual After-School and Community Easter Egg Hunt: Saturday, April 23 – 12:00pm Hands on Greenville Day (HOG Day): Saturday, April 30 Annual Community Day in May Celebration: Saturday, May 21 – 12:00pm Seniors Red Hatters Christmas & Birthday Party: Friday, December 17th

Freetown Manager:  Jackie L. Clark

Jackie L. Clark has worked with the Recreation District for 21 years. A graduate of Stillman College in Tuscaloosa, Ala., Jackie worked the Summer Program for three years before accepting the position as manager of the Freetown Community Center in 1991. Jackie plans and implements programs for the youth and senior citizens year round.

Freetown Assistant Manager:  Everette O. Hughes

Everette O. Hughes has worked with the Recreation District for 16 years. He is a graduate of Johnson C. Smith University in Charlotte, NC. Everette worked part time before becoming Assistant Manager at Freetown Community Center in 2002. He assists with all youth and senior programs.

History of Freetown Community Center The Freetown community has experienced many challenges throughout its history. There has always been, however, a core group of homeowners who were determined to support their community. These are the same individuals who today work with local government to ensure that their neighborhood continues to grow and improve. The first community center was established in 1970 on Alice Avenue in an army barracks from Donaldson Air Base. In 1998 the Greenville County Redevelopment Authority began a neighborhood revitalization project in Freetown. In partnership with the Greenville County Recreation District plans were made to build a new 10,000 square foot $600,000 community center that would feature a modern gymnasium and large activity area. The new facility opened in 2001 with a grand ceremony attended by hundreds of friends and residents. The center has since tremendously expanded the recreational opportunities offered to youth and adults in this ever growing community.