Elementary After School Program
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The After School Program offers a comprehensive, enriching, and safe environment for elementary school-aged children during weekdays throughout the school year. Designed to extend learning beyond the classroom, the program provides a diverse range of activities that stimulate intellectual, physical, and emotional growth.
Children can explore their interests through hands-on activities such as cooking and gardening lessons, where they develop practical life skills while fostering a connection with nature. In addition, the program emphasizes physical wellness, offering activities that encourage fitness, movement, and healthy lifestyle habits. To support the emotional and social development of our participants, we provide social-emotional learning sessions that help children build resilience, empathy, and positive self-esteem.
Each day, children will have time to play, complete their homework in a supportive setting, and develop strong, positive relationships with peers and trusted adults. Our program promotes a sense of community by creating opportunities for cooperative learning and social interaction.
We also offer a variety of enriching field trips throughout the year, giving participants exposure to new experiences and cultural activities. These things include visits to local County and State parks, the Overture Center for the Arts, the Children's Museum, and other community landmarks. Through these trips, children are introduced to the natural environment, the arts, and the wider world beyond their immediate surroundings.
Our dedicated staff and volunteers work tirelessly to implement engaging enrichment activities designed to support both academic achievement and the development of social skills. We take pride in offering a well-rounded experience that nurtures the whole child.
The program serves children from Kindergarten through fifth grade, providing a structured, safe, and engaging space for them to learn and grow. The program runs on the following schedule:
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Mondays: 2:15 - 5:00 PM
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Tuesday through Friday: 3:45 - 5:30 PM
Middle School Program
The Middle School Program runs on Mondays from 2:50-5:00 PM, and Tuesday through Thursday from 4:30-7:00 PM. It offers a safe space where students can enjoy quality time together after school. Our programs offer activities with emphasis on physical and emotional wellness. There are also learning opportunities to help extend their education beyond the classroom.
The program encourages students to take on decision-making roles and explore positive options for their future. Participants will also have the chance to go on various field trips throughout the year.
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Mondays: 2:50 - 5:00 PM
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Tuesday through Thursday: 4:30 - 7:00 PM
In an effort to help reduce food insecurity; foster healthy eating habits, and address disparities in access to nutritious food, we offer daily freshly prepared meals for our programs. These meals support physical growth, cognitive development, and improve academic performance by providing essential vitamins and nutrients. Fresh meals also offer emotional and social support, creating a sense of stability and connection. Overall, these meals play a key role in promoting well-being and reducing inequalities.
Summer Camps
Our vibrant 9-week Summer Camp programs cater to participants from elementary to middle school age and are open to any high school student willing to be a mentor to the elementary group. We offer a well-rounded and engaging experience throughout the summer months. Priority is given to children and teens already enrolled in our after-school programs, ensuring continuity of care and engagement. The camp emphasizes a wide variety of recreational activities, including swimming, dance lessons, kayaking, biking, and more, designed to keep participants active and foster physical and emotional wellness. In addition to recreational fun, we incorporate academic enrichment activities aimed at preventing "summer slide," the learning loss that can occur during the summer break. Our program also offers children and teens the chance to explore their community and beyond through field trips to various locations around Madison and throughout the state, providing exposure to new experiences and environments. The summer camp operates Monday through Friday from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM, offering families a safe, educational, and fun environment for their children during the day.
Adult Resources Program
The center is open for adult support from 9:30 AM - 6:00 PM Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays, and 9:30 AM - 7:00 PM on Wednesdays and Thursdays.
The Adult Resources Program is designed to promote essential educational opportunities and training in partnership with local organizations to help reduce barriers to employment and civic engagement for adults in our community. Through a variety of offerings, the program aims to empower adults by providing resources, training opportunities, and support that promote physical and emotional well-being, as well as nutritional education. We focus on improving the quality of life for our participants by offering access to services that help them seek employment, connect with vital resources, and build a stronger connection to their neighborhood. Program offerings include personalized case management, open access to computer labs, computer training, and other skill-building workshops. These services foster community engagement, increase self-sufficiency, and improve overall quality of life for our adult residents.
Food Pantry
The Kennedy Heights Food Pantry serves as a vital resource for residents, offering both food assistance and nutritional education through cooking demos especially during the gardening season when we partner with Rooted and Troy Gardens for the weekly, free, fresh produce giveaway. Operated with the help of dedicated resident volunteers, the pantry serves over 70 families each week, helping to alleviate food insecurity within our community. The food pantry is supported by Second Harvest Food Bank, allowing us to consistently meet a portion of the food access needs of our residents. Through this partnership and community support, the Kennedy Heights Food Pantry plays a key role in promoting food security and nutritional awareness in our neighborhood.
Community Events
Each year, the community center organizes a diverse range of events for the neighborhood, designed to foster connection and engagement. These events have included neighborhood block parties, community cooking demonstrations, parents' nights out, family science nights, restorative justice and NVC nights, pizza with the police, and community conversations and various other activities planned collaboratively by the center, community partners and residents, all aimed at strengthening relationships and building a supportive, inclusive community.
Facility Use
The community center provides space to other non-profit groups that provide programming that fits with the mission of the community center and is available to the community (baby showers, birthday parties, etc..).
Equal Opportunity Statement
The Center adheres to an equal employment opportunity principle in providing services, hiring and supervising staff and volunteers, and promotional activities. Equal opportunity is defined as non-discrimination on the basis of age, race, color, disability, association with person with a disability, gender, religious conviction, creed, gender, sexual orientation, arrest conviction record, marital status, source of income, physical appearance, political beliefs, familial status, student status, national origin, or military participation.