The pale-yellow house on Wood Street in Nemacolin is home to the first-of-its-kind program in the area. Inside, students from kindergarten through 12th grade can find a help for homework, to hang out, enjoy a warm dinner, and even wash their laundry. The Helping House began welcoming Carmichaels Area students mid-October and providing them with a service many desperately need.
The Redevelopment Authority of The County of Greene contacted Carmichaels Superintendent Fred Morecraft about wanting to do something for the school district, the idea for something useful to both parents and students came to both his and Elementary Principal Marc Berry’s heads. A house was available that RACG was willing to lease to the district for $1/month. When the opportunity was presented to the administration and teachers, the vision for a homework house was born.
When the idea for the homework house was suggested, teacher Traci Dobish jumped deeper into the idea. Traci, a fourth-grade learning support teacher at Carmichaels, used to run the after school program in Carmichaels when it first started and worked with that program for years. “I knew that the children needed more than just homework help,” Traci says. “They need someone to help with homework and social skills, a warm dinner, and more, and it need to encompass all ages of students.”
With Traci’s help, the homework house evolved into The Helping House. From 3:30 to 6:30 Mondays through Thursdays, students can visit the house for homework help and tutoring or spend time socializing with friends while watching television, playing video or board games, or just hanging out. At 4:30 each day, a hot dinner is served. The bathroom upstairs offers students a place to do their laundry or take a shower. Toiletries and personal hygiene products are also available for students. Two rooms upstairs, one for elementary students and the other for middle/high school students, offer educational and STEAM activities.
“We hope to bring other organizations into the house that could do things like mock interviews with the older kids. We’re coordinating with a STEAM teacher and an art teacher to help with activities,” Traci says. Other teachers that will be helping at the house include Roberta Barr, ,Stephanie Mitchell, Maggie D’Antonio, and Tammie Dippolito.
“Some kids might feel like they have to come for homework, but if they just want to come to get away from the house and relax, or watch tv, or talk to a teacher, they can come here. We want to be a safe haven, no questions asked. If they aren’t here for dinner at 4:30, and come at 5:30, we’re still going to offer them dinner. They can even come and get a dinner and take it home.”
“I think it is such a great resource for the community. A big thing missing for children now is something to do in their community. And it will offer as many resources as the school can give,” Fred Morecraft says. “We want it to be a help for the community.”
“We’re working closely with Yvonne Weaver from the Waynesburg University’s education department, and they want to continue sending students out to help at the house,” he adds. “It’s not only good for the kids but for the University students. To be able to give them that resource early on, before they even student teach, I think will not only make our students better but will help them.”
There are about six early childhood and special education students from Waynesburg University assisting at the house, and at least two of them will be there every day to help. The house is also utilizing volunteers from Waynesburg University’s Bonnar Scholar program.
Lexi Shandor, one of the Waynesburg University students that will be at the house, says, “It’s the first of its kind in the tri-state area, and I think it will really help the students. I’m excited to see what happens.”
The house is currently being funded through a two-year grant and is working with local businesses for donations for dinners and other items. They are also looking for donations of new toiletries, clothing, and other items that can be used at the house. They are also looking for someone that would be interested in volunteering to help with landscaping. If you are interested in volunteers or donating, please reach out to Fred Morecraft at fmorecraft@carmarea.org or 724-966-5045X4270.