Unexpected Obstacles Cause Problems for Learning Campus
There are many ways in which students, faculty and staff at Wilson College can make a difference in the Chambersburg community. Learning Campus, a tutoring program for children of migrant workers in Chambersburg and Greencastle, has made a difference in the lives of many children and their families for over four years.
Unfortunately, Learning Campus is once again facing some obstacles to get the program started for the year. Around the middle of September, Jamie Burnett, Americorps VISTA for Learning Campus, announced the loss of the Child and Adult Care Food Grant. This grant allowed Learning Campus to provide dinner from the dining hall to the children in the program.
Jamie Burnett said losing the food grant was an unexpected turn of events.
Photo by Jenna Kauffman
“For the past three years, the food grant was previously maintained by the Lincoln Intermediate Unit No. 12 Migrant Education Program,” explained Burnett. “As of June 1, 2017 the Migrant Education Program is now being administered by Northwest Tri-County Intermediate Unit No. 5.”
In September, Learning Campus found out that there was no way that IU5 could apply for the CACFP grant. The program is currently taking pre-packaged snacks and money donations to provide snacks for the children to enjoy after school. Burnett said that they are currently exploring other options to provide dining services to the program.
In early October, another obstacle arose for Learning Campus. The transportation company that the program used will no longer provide bus services. Transportation is an issue almost every year. Burnett explained that the program currently has funding for transportation and are looking into different companies. Ideas are being tossed around to possibly find a way around transportation, since it is one of the major obstacles often faced by the program.
The Learning Campus Club is currently planning some fundraisers to help provide snacks for the programs. There will be a Panera Bread fundraiser in October for the Learning Campus Program.
At the moment there is not a set date for the start of the program. If you would like more information on the program or want to find out how you can help, contact Jamie Burnett at Jamie.burnett@wilson.edu.