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(Clark Curtis/For WDN)

(Clark Curtis/For WDN)

(Clark Curtis/For WDN)

Right: Flora Brooks, Founder of Reaching for the Stars. (Clark Curtis/For WDN)

Reaching for the Stars, 814 Flemming St. (Clark Curtis/For WDN)

(Clark Curtis/For WDN)

By Clark Curtis, For Washington Daily News

Founded in 2014 by Flora Brooks, a teacher of over 20 years in the Beaufort County School System, Reaching for the Stars After School continues to serve underprivileged, at-risk youth, in Washington. The children, who range in age from 6-12, are often dealing with a wide range of issues from failing grades to behavioral and emotional issues such as a lack of confidence and self-esteem. “I created this program to assist the children with whatever need they may be facing,” said Brooks. “It is very important to sit down with the child one-on-one and listen to what they have to say. All too often they don’t feel their parents are listening to them and always telling them what to do. I want to understand what they may be going through, what they are feeling, and how I can help them and their parents. You can tell them to sit down and behave, but why are they acting this way?”

Brooks said in addition to the one-on-one tutoring they take the children on field trips in order to expose them to things outside of the area that they may never have seen. Everything from a water treatment plant where the children can see and learn about where their water comes from, to the zoo near Rocky Mount. “My most favorite was the trip to the zoo,” said one young four-year-old student. “I learned all about the animals and what they needed to live at the zoo. Then the next day, I was able to write all about it in my journal,” she said while beaming ear to ear.

Brooks added they not only are helping the children but serving the needs of the parents as well. “The parents tell me they didn’t have anywhere else they could go as they were looking for something to fit their budget,” said Brooks. “And they also want to know, “Do you love my child, can you help my child, and can you listen to my child.” My answer is of course, “Yes!”

Looking to the future, Brooks would like to expand into a larger facility better to meet the needs of the students and their parents. “My father, councilman Richard Brooks, was very instrumental in helping to remodel the home where we are now located,” said Brooks. “But I envision one day where we can have a larger facility where the parents can come in as well and feel at ease and relaxed. We would also provide classes where we can teach them English as a second language. Many of our parents are unable to speak English and we want to be able to assist them and our students, so we can ensure that we all understand each other.”

Unquestionably, the program has been rewarding in so many ways for Brooks. “Former students often invite me to their high school graduation and thank me for being there for them,” she said with a large smile. “I also had one student who had absolutely no confidence to get up in front of people. Now he stands up in front of all of us and sings. When I see that, I say “Yeah, I have helped somebody.” That is the most important thing to me. As long as I can see that they are growing and building their confidence, that is rewarding to me.”

Added some of her summer school students,

“It is nice to be around the other kids and to be able to talk to Ms. Brooks about everything. It makes me feel better.”

“I really love reading about science, math, and plants. And it feels really good to be able to talk to Ms. Brooks about whatever.”

“It is nice and calming here. I have made some good friends here and we do a lot of projects together. It is really nice to be able to tell Ms. Brooks anything that is on my mind.”

On August 5th, at 2 pm, Reaching for the Stars After School will hold a “Rainbow of Love” fundraiser at the Temple of Jesus Christ Family Center. Students will share their personal stories, there will be food representative of the diverse population of the students and their parents, music, and a presentation of certificates to the students who were enrolled in the summer school program. “The event is not just about reaching to the stars, but bringing our community together,” said Brooks. “We encourage everyone to come out and support us.” The cost for the event is $10.

Brooks said they are always looking for volunteers or those interested in sponsoring a child in the program. For more information, she can be reached at 252-940-5777.

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