Where to find South Salt Lake’s after-school programs
Aug 22, 2019 03:50PM ● By Bill Hardesty
Young people attend the open microphone event as part the Promise after-school programs. (Bill Hardesty/City Journals)
By Bill Hardesty | [email protected]
With the new Promise Best Buy Teen Tech Center at the Columbus Center opening on Sept. 3 and a grand opening scheduled for October, the South Salt Lake City Promise after-school offerings continue to expand.
The SSLC Promise department is funded with donations and grants. Their programs are based on three promises: Every child has the opportunity to attend and to graduate from college; every resident has a safe, clean home and neighborhood; and everyone has the opportunity to be healthy and to prosper.
There are 14 neighborhood community centers across the city with a variety of programs for children from kindergarten to 12th grade. According to Alex Peacock, business manager, some programs focus on a specific population while other programs vary based on the interest of the participants.
The Promise Best Buy Teen Tech Center, located at the Columbus Center (2531 S. 400 East), will give teens access to a wide variety of creative and technological tools such as a recording and editing studio, 3D printers, green screens and more. The center opens on Sept. 3. Call Kayla Mayers at 801-455-0994.
Hser Ner Moo Community and Welcome Center also located at the Columbus Center is one of the oldest Promise sites. The center is named after a girl killed in the neighborhood. The purpose of the center is to empower refugees and immigrants through the process of successful integration by facilitating access to resources, expanding networks and layers of service, creating opportunities for leadership, and by providing relevant, responsive services and support.
They serve kindergarteners through sixth-graders from 4 to 6 p.m. (2 to 4 p.m. on Friday) and seventh- to 12th-graders from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. (5 to 7:30 p.m. on Friday). Call Kaylee Milliner at 801-828-7245.
Cottonwood High Community School (5715 S. 1300 East) serves ninth- to 12th- graders. The programs help participants finish high school and prepare for academic and career futures. Call Kayla Mayers at 385-630-9748.
Meadowbrook STEM & Community Center (3900 S. 250 West) serves kindergarteners through sixth-graders from 4:10 to 6:30 p.m. (2 to 5 p.m. on Friday) and seventh- to 12th-graders from 3 to 6 p.m. (2 to 5 p.m. on Friday). As the name implies, programs focus on science, technology, engineering and mathematics.The program is co-located with the Utah Refugee Education and Training Center, Meadowbrook Campus. Call Joseph Genda at 801-518-5502.
Historic Scott School (3280 S. 540 East) serves first- through sixth-graders from 3 to 6 p.m. (1 to 5 p.m. on Friday) and seventh- through 12th-graders from 3 to 6 p.m. The Historic Scott School is focused on the arts including a robust writing program. Call Taylor Kirch at 801-803-3632.
Moss Elementary Community School (4399 S. 500 East) serves first- to sixth-graders with choir and dance programs. They are adding a theater program this year. They are open 3:30 to 6 p.m. (1 to 5 p.m. on Friday). Contact Lauren Levorsen at 385-258-6360.
Roosevelt Elementary Community School (3225 S. 800 East) serves first- to sixth-graders from 3:45 to 5:45 p.m. (1:30 to 5 p.m. on Friday). Their programs are with partners such as the U of U Reading clinic, the DEA (drug prevention initiatives) and Bike Education initiative. Call Jarrell Watts at 801-828-8219.
Utah International Charter High School (3605 S. 300 East) serves seventh- to 12th- graders with numerous activities from soccer to knitting. They are open from 3 to 6 p.m. This school should not be confused with the charter school, American International School of Utah, that closed recently. Call Adrienne Buhler at 801-520-7175.
Woodrow Wilson Elementary Community School (2567 S. Main St.) serves kindergartener through sixth-graders from 3:45 to 7 p.m. (1:30 to 5:30 p.m. on Friday). The college prep and mentoring programs are strengthened by the partnerships with Westminster College's Little Griffins, Boy Scouts of America's Learning for Life and Big Brothers and Big Sisters. Call Daniel McArthur at 801-386-0589.
Kearns-Saint Ann School (430 E. 2100 South) serves kindergartener through eighth-graders from 3 to 6 p.m. (12:30 to 6 p.m. on Friday). The center is operated in partnership with a faith-based organization. Their programs reflect the needs of the surrounding community. Call Annelise Acosta at 385-630-9754.
Granite Park Junior High Community School (3031 S. 200 East) serves seventh- and eighth-graders Monday through Thursday from 2:45 to 5:45 p.m. This is the largest Promise program based on the AVID college and career readiness focus. They have many high-interest clubs in addition to academic tutoring. Call Mackenzie Bledsoe at 801-440-4499.
Lincoln Elementary Community School (450 E. 3700 South) serves first- through sixth-graders from 3:30 to 6 p.m. (1 to 4:30 p.m. on Friday). Since the school has a high number of refugee children, the programs are tailored to address barriers to their success. Call Deborah Peel at 801-657-0416.
Central Park Community Center (2825 S. 200 East) is co-located with the Police Athletic League (PAL). They serve first- through sixth-graders from 4 to 6 p.m. (1 to 4 p.m. on Friday) and seventh- through 12th-graders from 3 to 6 p.m. (1 to 4 p.m. on Friday). The PAL boxing and wrestling is from 4 to 7 p.m. The PAL will soon add a culinary program. Youth receive a variety of recreation programs and academic support. Call Chelsie Leaututu 801-386-4949.
Commonwealth Performing Arts and Youth Entrepreneurial Center (2505 S. State St.) serves sixth- to 12th-graders from 3 to 7 p.m. (4 to 6 p.m. on Friday). Among their programs are hip-hop dance, vocal training and creating micro businesses. Call Tori Smith at 385-630-9753.
