Manoa Valley Church-UCC (United Church of Christ) is offering community residents a helping hand, and more, through its new “Furlough Friday” program. 
        
One hundred children in kindergarten through grade 5 are registered in the special program which is administered by the Manoa Valley Church After School Care (ASC) Program.  The cost per day, which includes an afternoon snack, is affordable:  $10.00 for children already enrolled in the ASC program; and $20.00 for children not enrolled in the ASC program. 

The current staff consists of five furloughed public school teachers, including three who previously worked with the After School Care Program while they attended college.       

These “Furlough Friday” programs offer: field trips, physical education, chapel time, help with homework, and creative activities.  

On a recent field trip, the children visited and toured Chinatown.  The children were thrilled to watch manapua and noodles being prepared in factories, and especially enjoyed sampling look fun noodles.  They were excited by the variety of produce, fish, and meat at the markets.  They were amazed by the various scents in an herb shop; and they were enlightened about the history and architecture of Chinatown.         

Beginning in January 2010, a tutoring session will be added to the program.  These tutoring sessions will be conducted by volunteer retired and furloughed teachers.