Nine-year old Sergio, of Union City, made the honor roll for the first time this year with a little help from some dedicated volunteers.
The second grader, who said he likes math and reading, has been participating for the past two years in an afterschool program that takes place at Palisades Emergency Residence Corporation (PERC).
PERC, while known as a nonprofit homeless shelter in Union City, is also a social service agency dedicated to defeating the cycle of poverty – a cycle that the volunteers at PERC know can be broken at a young age.
The PERC after school program is open to all kids from first grade through sixth grade, not just those who are staying at the shelter, through a free application process.
“We wanted to end the cycle of poverty, the goal is to nip it in the bud now.” – Liz Ferrer
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“We really have high achieving kids,” said PERC Executive Director Emory Edwards, who added that the children are intent on getting their school work done during the program. “They take the whole thing pretty seriously. They know they can go home and play.”
The program, now in its fourth year, is continuing a legacy of success – each of the kids that have participated have advanced from one grade to the next and several, like Sergio, have made the honor roll for the first time.
The kids currently meet in the area which doubles as a dining room for the shelter later in the evening, but Edwards said that a space specifically dedicated for the afterschool program is in the works.
Edwards is also hoping that the new room will be just the beginning of an expansion for the program.
“With more resources we can have more children,” he said.
Ending the cycle
Liz Ferrer, a teacher at the Harry L. Bain School in West New York, is one of the volunteers and a co-founder of the program.
She said that the importance of the program goes beyond helping the kids in school today. It can also help them in their lives tomorrow.
“We wanted to end the cycle of poverty,” said Ferrer. “The goal is to nip it in the bud now.”
Ferrer said that many of the kids who have participated in the program over the past few years have gone from being retained to the head of the class.
Additionally, she said the program assists parents by helping them communicate with teachers (a particular hurdle for parents who are struggling to learn English themselves) and get their children proper placement in classes.
Though she teaches full-time and usually spends four days a week volunteering after school at the shelter, Ferrer said that the reward is worth the hard work.
“I have a personal bond with the kids,” she said. “And the parents have been so supportive.”
National attention
Last month, PERC Shelter was featured on the Oprah Winfrey Show during a segment with Malaak Compton-Rock, wife of actor Chris Rock.
Known for her philanthropy, Compton-Rock visited PERC Shelter along with daughters Lola and Zahra, to highlight the growing problem of the working poor.
The Rock family, who reside in Bergen County, donated and served food at PERC’s nightly Community Dinner, provided toiletry kits, and met with family shelter residents. Lola and Zahra gave toys from their own playroom to benefit local children – toys which are now used by the kids who participate in the after school program, after they’ve finished their homework.
How to help
Edwards said that food donations are welcome to the program, as long as they’re non-perishable. Those who would like to donate are advised to call the center first to see what items specifically are needed.
For those who would like to help out financially, PERC will host its annual “Tastes of Summer Celebration” on June 9 at Antonia’s by the Park in North Bergen from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
The evening will include an open bar and appetizers. County Executive Tom DeGise will be this years’ honoree.
Tickets are $50 and all proceeds from the event will benefit PERC and its vital community outreach, including a soup kitchen and the after-school program.
PERC also hosts a summer camp which begins in early July.
For more information on PERC or any of the programs held at the shelter, call (201) 348-8150.
Lana Rose Diaz can be reached at ldiaz@hudsonreporter.com.