Youth services

• After School Program for school aged kids 5 years old to middle school

• Summer Camp for kids (5K to middle school ) June to August

• Community Based 4K program - Highland Early Learning Center 

• Youth Sports Partnership - Gators Football, Thompson Elite Boxing

  • Mentoring 
          1) boy’s mentoring Bridge Builders
          2) girl’s mentoring Dance -Blood Covenant Dance

The Bethlehem Center after-school program provides a free year round program which focus' on academic enrichment, character education, computer and reading literacy, mentoring, field trips (educational, cultural and entertaining) recreation and socialization.

The traditional after school program (operates with the in school schedule) serves school aged youth grades 5-K to middle school Monday through Friday from 2:30 pm to 6:00 pm. Participants receive daily individual homework assistance, have required reading time, monitoring of grades, monitoring of school attendance and tardiness tutoring, as well as weekly mentoring and character education lessons. The Center uses technology to further engage youth in the learning using educational software, build computer skills/knowledge, as well as art and technology infusion.

Fully engaging youth year round helps to keep skills sharp with technology used during the school year and increases knowledge and interest. The Center uses I-pads, tablets and lap tops as mobile labs which allows the youth to use the technology in any part of the building.

The summer session (Keep SOARING) operates Monday through Thursday with a big focus on providing two nutritious meals (breakfast and lunch) and snack, recreation, socialization, exposure to the arts, colleges/universities for goal and career exploration, field trips, providing daily required reading and math enrichment activities in hopes minimizing summer slide. Summer slide loss happens to most students but it more severely affects low income and minorities and in the most critical area - reading. The summer is filled with peer to peer, reading, individual reading times, and a book clubs per age group to encourage and focus on reading during the summer

Adult Services

Wellness Programs

• Senior Day Out 
  Tuesday 10am to 2pm - Active Living &

• Community Resources for Senior Adults
  Wednesday 10 am to 2pm - Sewing to Sow: providing hand knitted, sewn or crocheted Items to child care centers, schools, nursing homes, hospitals, hospice and cancer centers

• Thursday 10am to noon - Soul Food: Bible Study, self reflection, community and team building
  

Fitness and Boxing Classes 
   
The Centers programs promote activities and partnerships that encourage positive life and health choices, exercise, mobility, and overall wellness activities for the community with an emphasis on senior adults. The Center provides weekly physical activity, exercise, mental stimulus and offer spiritual outlets. The Senior Wellness activities include: Active Living, Sewing to Sow and Food for the soul (bible study). The Sewing to Sow participants do community service activities which benefits schools, nursing homes, cancer patient, and hospice care facilities. 
The Center provides and coordinates monthly health topics related to: healthy food choices, healthy food preparation, heart health, exercise, diabetes, balancing finances to reduce financial burdens/stress and estate planning. Additionally a registered nurse (RN) comes monthly to check health issues, ensure medication is being taken properly, makes referrals to physicians, check vitals and glucose monitoring. 

The Center also partners with Thompson Elite Boxing Academy to offer weekly year round exercise classes for the community which includes a boxing program, fitness and wellness classes, and personal training. Classes are held Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday and open to youth and adults. 

The Center partners Hub City farmers Market and with two local gardens to provide and promote healthier food choices and make them available to the community. 

The Center also partners with the Youth Sports Bureau and Gator's Football Club to engage youth ages 5 to 13 in recreational activities which promote teamwork, builds self esteems, creates positives outlet in a safe environment

supportive services

• Food Pantry (includes food, fresh vegetables, bread, toiletries, light household items,      paper goods, diapers, etc)  - Mon. Tue. Thur. 9am to noon

• Full service computer lab - for job searches, job training/soft skills, workshops

• Information and Referrals Services (employment and community resources)

The Bethlehem Center's provides food assistance and basic necessities to low income to moderate income members of the community expressing need and/or a hardship. Services are available three days a week: Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 9:00am to 12:00pm. The purpose is for families or individuals to have the ability to prepare and eat several meals, allow families to stretch their limited resources and decreases hunger in Spartanburg County. Each food distribution includes a minimum of three bags of food (breakfast, lunch, snack and dinner items), paper goods, and toiletry items - also included as needed are diapers, baby food and other baby products, feminine hygiene products, as well as household items. The center also distributes Panera Bread, Chick-fil-A,and Little Caesars weekly. When available the center distributes garden fresh vegetables, as well.

In order to receive services individuals must have picture identification, social security card for themselves and any member of the household in which they are including as member of the household, proof of residency (current mail, lease, statements) as well as proof of SNAP benefits and the amount. Each client is screened initially using Charity Tracker for other resources received in the community and then an interview outlining the information provided on the intake form. Each client is seen individually and referred to other resources (employment, SNAP, rental/utility assistance, etc.) as needed. Client may also be asked to complete proof of application or training in order to receive future assistance.
 

Highland early learning center

The Highland Early Learning Center will be opening Summer 2021. It is a free program to those who qualify and will provide 8 hours of care per day, along with an extended school year schedule. Transportation and food are provided at no cost to families. Please review the qualifications here and if your child is eligible to participate, complete the online registration form.

https://highlandearlylearningcenter.org/

or contact