ABOUT US

Sue Duncan Children’s Center can be narrowly defined as an after-school program; however, the success of its grassroots approach to advancing inner-city children academically and socially has been legendary.  There are few, if any, non-religious programs in the nation that operate on such a personal level with each child, and share the level of results using very minimal resources and exposure.  Children who participate in Center programming reach their full potential and exceed statistical expectations drastically.

The Center services children in grades pre-K through college, predominantly African American, at a local elementary school on Chicago’s south side (after school and during the summer).  Although the school is a separate entity, it serves as a convenient location where students, parents and educators can easily access services.  Center staff is also afforded greater access to teachers and receive referrals from administration.  This creates a functional triangle of communication between teachers, parents and Center staff regarding individual student progress as part of the “village” approach.  Enrollment is not limited to the students attending the school where the Center is housed with participants representing over 20 elementary and high schools.

When children arrive each day, they are assigned to a tutor based on what work they need to accomplish.  The Center keeps a low tutor-to-student ratio of 1 tutor to no more than 5 students in a group (as opposed to Chicago Public School requiring no more than 32 kids per teacher and often climbing to as many as 40 students).  While it is a priority for staff and tutors to strengthen students’ core academic skills, complete homework and get help with school projects, the Center’s educational enhancement programming goes well beyond assigned schoolwork.  Our programming engenders intellectual curiosity and a love of learning, and fulfills children’s artistic, recreational and nutritional needs to encourage healthy lifestyles.  Older students participate in group discussions, which can consist of anything from math skill-building to a conversation about social issues.  All students participate in creative expressions projects that allow them to discover and pursue their talents and passions.  Before they leave each day, students share a hot and nutritious meal prepared by Center staff in the school kitchen, and exercise in the gymnasium through team sports and games.

The Center’s educational approach and curriculum is framed by a Code of Ethics that outlines the four core values of our community:  Respect, Education, Independence, and Determination.  We ask each child to commit to upholding these community values through actions, attitude, and words.  Students in grades third and up sign a contract at the start of each school year to show their commitment to upholding the Center’s Code of Ethics.  Staff  members sign the contact as well to demonstrate the values they seek to instill.  This formal agreement between the students and leadership presents an important lesson in partnership, trust and accountability.

The student success rate is phenomenal. Children from neighborhoods where drug abuse, teen pregnancy and gang violence are prevalent beat the odds and go on to make significant contributions to society as engineers, doctors, lawyers, educators, police officers, fire fighters, servicemen and women, well-known athletes, actors, and musicians, community leaders and business owners.