After school program offers a place to belong
By Phyllis Moore
Published in News on February 28, 2018 5:50 AM
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Zachary Elsenbeck, 6, left, listens as Doricia Benton, director of the Community Soup Kitchen, goes over a school assignment last Wednesday afternoon. The weekly homework club was launched in the fall for Benton's "soup babies" to have a safe haven to gather, enjoy a snack and complete schoolwork.
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News-Argus/PHYLLIS MOORE
Doricia Benton, left, director of the Community Soup Kitchen, greets early arrival Jinnyvette Ortiz to the weekly "Alphabet Soup" homework club.
Doricia Benton, director of the Community Soup Kitchen, believes in serving as many people as she can.
The mission of the venue goes beyond the daily midday meals, she says -- because the needs of the community do not fit neatly into an eight-hour day.
"It doesn't stop when I walk out the door. It never has," she said.
Earlier this school year, she launched a program for the younger segment. "Alphabet Soup" meets once a week to help with homework and projects for children in proximity to the Oak Street site.
"I love my 'soup babies,'" she said. "I want to help them grow, to be better students and citizens."
The name for the venture had to have the word "soup" in it, she said with a laugh. But more so, its intent was to provide children with a sense of belonging.
"The idea of it is that, 'I belong to a club -- do you want to be part of a club?'" she said. "That's how I sparked interest."
The effort takes place every Wednesday afternoon from 4:30 until 6 p.m., attracting children from elementary and middle grades.
Benton has school supplies on hand and prints out worksheets for those who don't have homework to do or may finish up early.
Youth who show up receive a snack before tackling the "important stuff," homework, followed by a craft and some reading time.
Every week is different, Benton says.
"I have had attendance every Wednesday," she said. "We've had nine, four, our biggest day has been 11. We have never had a 'zero' day when none showed up.
"And if only one child comes in, that one child is taken care of."
This past week, 10 came through the doors.
Children straggled in, finding a seat and dropping off bookbags.
For most, their first stop is to talk with Benton, chatting about earlier assignments or the outcome of a project. She asks questions about what they can do next to improve their grades and is interested in other things they enjoy doing.
Madison Brown, 10, enthused about a school performance she recently participated in, which Benton attended.
Jinnyvette Ortiz, a sixth-grader, told Benton about the progress report she received for a class presentation.
The relationship between the director and the children and grandchildren of those who come through the doors of the Soup Kitchen is an important one, Benton said.
"I just want them to grow as little citizens, to become productive adults," she said.
At last Wednesday's session, Madison arrived empty-handed -- she had already done her homework beforehand.
That didn't deter the bubbly fifth-grader, accompanied by her sister, Alyssa Laws, and cousin, Zachary Elsenbeck, both 6. She had several reasons for being faithful, she said.
"I come because it's fun and we get to socialize with people," Madison said, adding, "My grandma says whenever you make a commitment, you keep your commitment."
Alyssa, a first-grader, was content to color a picture from the stack of printed worksheets on hand.
Zachary, meanwhile, was focused on an assignment to write two sentences and tell a story.
"I like to do my homework because it's fun," he said, before Benton joined him for a one-on-one session.
Jinnyvette, 13, found a table and settled in to work on an assignment from her teacher's "choice board." She said the weekly club has been beneficial in several ways.
"It's fun to come. It's like a family helping everyone together," she said. "And it takes less time to do my homework.
"If I don't understand stuff, I just ask."
The volunteers also reap the rewards, they say.
Sarah Kleckley began volunteering at the Soup Kitchen, creating a lending library of books for children. That became the project for her Gold Award, the highest honor awarded in Girl Scouts. Even after that concluded, she continued to volunteer with the homework club.
"I love these little guys," the 18-year-old said. "I help with homework and reading. I just love helping any way I can, to help them learn. It's great."
She tries to attend each week, usually with her mother, Brenda Killingsworth.
"I'm learning to be bilingual," Killingsworth said, referencing Jinnyvette and sister Hailey Soto's Latina mom. "She's teaching me Spanish, and I'm teaching her English."
Benton said she also opens up the "Angel Closet" when there are donated clothing items on hand to be doled out, and she always makes sure there are take-out meals for all who attend. Since the homework club started, on Sept. 27, through Dec. 31, she said 141 meals have been given out.
They are not counted as part of the daily operation of trays served at the Soup Kitchen, she explained, as they are two separate things.
And equally important, she noted, is that the additional meals on Wednesday afternoons are not just for those showing up to participate in the homework club.
"You figure if they could use a meal, their siblings and parents at home could, too," Benton said. "So we do it for the household, because how can you just give a meal to one person?"