New Program Gives Inner-City Youth Other Alternatives to the Streets. KIDS OFF the BLOCK INC. CULTURAL ARTS PROGRAM Has Struck an Accord With Children in the Community.

(PRWEB) January 19, 2004

Diane Latiker is the mother of eight children, a resident of the Roseland Community, she sought to find ways to make a difference in the community, and in the many youth that she came in contact with daily. “Ms. Diane” as the kids refer to her, believes that no child should be deprived of his/her dreams. Looking at the children that were always at her home, she saw health professinals, doctors, lawyers, professional musicians, professional sports figures, politicians, and actresses, and the list goes on. Her mother, Evangelist Ruth Jackson, further shared this realization. Ms. Jackson recognized that the children were drawn to Ms. Diane and she encouraged her to begin thinking about opening up a center that would get these young people off the streets and involved in programs that would benefit them for the rest of their lives.

Kids Off The Block presently operates out of the founder’s home. It was incorporated as an official cultural arts program in September 2003. Currently, 501(c)3 status has been filed for this program. At present we use a fiscal sponsor. This program has rules and regulations that all participants must abide by. Before a child can enroll they must have a Consent Form signed by the parent. Each student must maintain a grade point average of C and above. Also, they must be willing to assist in beatifying the street(s) of the neighborhood in which they live. We accept children as young as 6 years old to 18 years of age. Program hours are Monday thru Friday-4 to 8 pm. These are in-school hours. Summer break hours are 10am to 8:30pm weekdays.

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