Our mission for this non-profit organization is to serve as a source of educational support. We offer tutoring and mentoring services to meet the needs of our economically depressed community. We empower our youth to be the best they can be by helping them obtain a better education.
History
The Gussie M. Walker Community Outreach Organization is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization located at 1207 Moravia St. New Castle, Pa. A number of citizens in our community wanted a place for our disadvantaged youth in our South Side community to go for educational assistance as well as a place for recreation in a controlled environment. At the same time, we did not want the name of the founder of our church to be forgotten. Consequently, our organization was formed in 2004 under the name of Gussie M. Walker Community Outreach Organization, Inc. In January 2006, we received our 501c(3) non-profit public charity status and on August 14, 2006 we opened our after-school program for the disadvantaged youth of our community. St. John United Holy Church allowed us to use their basement for our program, however, we are separate from the church.
Walker's Neighborhood House After School Program
We are located in the South Side community and offer our services to anyone in our community regardless of their race, color, religion, creed, disability, or economic situation. Our after-school program is called Walkers Neighborhood House, where we currently provide tutoring for the youth in our economically depressed community. We are able to help them with their homework when most of their parents cannot. The students from Westminster College are the tutors for the children, helping them in whatever subjects they may need the help. Since some of the students do not have transportation, someone from our staff picks up the students twice a week at the College to bring them to Walkers Neighborhood House. For the other days, they provide their own transportation. The tutors interact with all of the youth, giving them one-on-one attention as needed. We provided a Computer Lab for their convenience in doing their school reports and research. Walkers Neighborhood House provides a place to learn new skills, review previous skills such as reading and math, do arts & craft projects or just to have a place to go for fun in a controlled environment. Even though we have Homework Sessions, we provide reading and math workbooks for additional studying. We also have a library for those who like to read. If we do not have anyone scheduled to come in from the community, we use Friday as a free day for games or to watch movies. While school is in session, our hours are from 4:00 pm 6:00pm daily. Most of the youth come directly from school, therefore, we provide a light meal or snack for all to eat. We feed over 150 youth per week. We will continue to work with each child so they all could show improvement in all subjects. Our goal is to continue to encourage them to want to do better. We really want them to know that we are here to help them obtain a better education.