Our After School Youth Development Program is designed after visiting one of the most successful of its kind in the State. We partner with the local school district to find out exactly what objective each student needs to work on, and we partner them with mentors to meet those objectives before they move on. We also serve a hot dinner each evening and offer enrichment events throughout the year like our STEM day, where professor David Buys uses engaging activities to teach our children about science and technology.
Call 662-370-9693 to reserve a spot for your child.
Our Programs
Hands-on Tutoring
Our work-study and volunteers take out the time to focus directly on your kids to ensure that they get what they need. We focus on comments from teachers and report cards to directly benefit each student.
Reading Comprehension
“Reading is Knowledge!” We not only grow our students reading levels, we send them home with endless books to keep for themselves.
Holiday Celebrations
Because we know that our kids work hard in school and they deserve a break, we host an event for every holiday. From Black History programs, to Christmas parties, to Valentine’s Day celebrations, we make it enjoyable.
Emergency Backpacks
Every Thursday, we send our students home with a backpack full of food and snacks that are safe, healthy, and microwavable. These backpacks carry them over for the entire weekend, and they are nutritional.
Social Emotional Development
Dealing with your emotions is difficult as a youth. Not everyone copes the same way and that is perfectly okay. We work with our students to develop proper emotional coping skills that also impact their behavior.
Stress Bags
Every two weeks, we have a program that donates stress bags. These bags are filled with school supplies, stress balls, books, and toys, and catered to each grade level.
Hygiene Bags
We are partnered with a group who lovingly delivers goodie bags filled with personal hygiene supplies. These bags are catered to each age group and aid us in teaching the kids healthy and clean habits.
Partnerships!
Lamda Sigma
We partner with Lamda Sigma to help the kids grow their knowledge of agriculture.
Starkville Art Council
Starkville Art sends in volunteers every Thursday to teach the kids about art and how to paint.
MS State
Mississippi State University has gone above and beyond to work with the center. From sending volunteers to donating boxes of clothes and shoes, they are amazing.
Southern Foundation
Southern Foundation is a huge part of the work at the J.L. King Center. They ensure our kids have healthy snacks and meals throughout the school year.