Believing that a quality education is essential to an individual’s ability to rise out of poverty, CUMAC, in conjunction with the Southwest Paterson Cooperative Parish of the United Methodist Church, has run an informal after-school program for neighborhood children for nearly a decade.  In September 2008, the program became an accredited program known as the Tutoring and Literacy Center (TLC).  In it’s inaugural year as a fully-licensed after school program, CUMAC’s TLC touched the lives of 20 gifted, caring youth and their families, and the following year the program was at capacity with 30 youth.

Mayor Jose "Joey" Torres visits with some of the youth of TLC along with their mentors and program coordinators.

Program.  TLC provides a chance for students to complete homework, augment their academic pursuits, and socialize in a safe environment.  The program runs daily during the school year – if school is open, so is TLC.  The TLC experience always begins with an energizing snack in the recreation room before heading into the TLC classroom to focus on homework and academics.  Extra curricular activities such as art, music or games round out the day.  In addition to their daily activities, monthly dinners are held for the students and their families so parents can ask about the children’s progress, siblings can get a glimpse of the TLC program they may participate in someday, and the entire family can focus on the importance of the academic achievements of the TLC student.  Indeed, TLC is an extended family, nurturing its participants throughout the school year toward progress and success.

Wish List.  The TLC program needs the following things to keep running smoothly:

• School supplies
• Healthy snacks
• Books - particularly chaptered books geared toward tweens and teens, bi-lingual Spanish/English a plus
• Ats & Crafts supplies
• Recreation equipment

Volunteers.  TLC needs mentors for the youth, volunteer tutors, etc.