Do you remember what you did after school as a child? Did you play with your friends on the street? Did you have quiet time with a parent? Were you by yourself? Were you involved in after-school sports? Girl Scouts? Who supervised you? Did anyone attempt to keep you out of trouble?

Because homeless children, in particular, can endure so much disruption in their daily lives, SOS offers an after-school program that addresses their needs in a stable and nurturing environment. The program includes 1) a therapy group for 6-8 year olds to help them identify and express their feelings in appropriate ways, 2) a therapy group for 8-12 year olds that focuses on peer pressure, sexual abuse prevention, friendship, self-esteem, and how to express feelings, 3) a tutoring program for 7-12 year olds that pairs each child with a community volunteer for one-on-one academic assistance, and 4) a tutoring program for teens that pairs each student one-on-one with a community volunteer.

We hope that through our efforts, the children we serve not only will improve their academic performance, but also increase their self-esteem and life potential.