Lights on Afterschool program celebrated in Wilmington

At Kids Making It, Wilmington young people showed off their handy work to city and county leaders, as part of a national celebration of afterschool programs. It is called “Lights on Afterschool.” The idea is to shed light on just how important these programs are.

“For me, I was headed down the wrong path. I was about to be sent to juvi, but now when I started coming down here, its like a whole new person came out of me,” said Gilbert McClammy.

Vella Rico also participates in Kids Making It and said, “My life has changed so well. I used to get in a lot of trouble; I don’t even get in a lot of trouble no more.”

In addition, they learn a trade, and earn money. The profit from every piece sold, goes back to them.

Kids Making It has been so successful, that it has been nominated to be a national model for afterschool program by the National Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention.

Kids Making It director Jimmy Pierce said, “Life is just a little tougher for some of the kids we work with. We see as they come; they learn through woodworking, patience, perseverance, their self esteem seems to go up.”

Many of the kids return year after year; proving Kids Making It is making a difference.

Mayor Bill Saffo proclaimed Thursday Lights on Afterschool Day in Wilmington.