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New after school program forced to delay opening

Date: 9/8/2009

By Katelyn Gendron

Reminder Assistant Editor



WEST SPRINGFIELD -- Extenuating circumstances have prevented a new wellness-based after school program from opening its doors this fall; however, according to officials at Be Well Kids (BWK), they plan to welcome students in January.

BWK founder Mary-Anne DiBlasio told Reminder Publications that the delayed opening is only a minor setback and that a comprehensive outreach program showcasing BWK board members has been created for the interim. She noted that those who paid for fall enrollment were returned their money as instructed by each client.

"The community wasn't ready, and I do feel that timing is indeed everything," she explained. "We were trying to push it to open too soon. The folks in the community need to know who we are and what we stand for; so we have formed the BWK Teen Talk Series.

"This will give the board of directors a chance to speak directly to the parents in their particular fields of expertise," DiBlasio continued. "The board of directors that is in place is quite impressive to say the least, and the Teen Talk Series will give them the platform to show what they've got and to show what expertise they will be offering the center."

BWK will also host an open house on Sept. 9 -- prior to the Teen Talk Series -- so that parents may view the facility located within the Lower Pioneer Valley Education Collaborative (LPVEC).

LPVEC Executive Director Anne McKenzie said housing BWK within their facility provides an opportunity to create a link to the collaborative and extension of their principles of "education readiness and resilience."

"I expect nothing but the best from this impressive group of people and I think this will be great for the community," she added.

DiBlasio noted that the facility will allow for various programming including arts and crafts, recreation, meditation, nutritional counseling, yoga and self-defense. She added that classes will be instructed by local professionals, licensed in their fields.

"It is visionary in scope providing a program of studies for all," School Committee member Dr. Joseph Foresi Jr. said. "It is well suited for students who are desirous of improving their academic, vocational and social skills in an after school setting as well as a summer program. I highly recommend this program to parents who want to become inextricably involved in their children's extracurricular activities."

The BWK open house will take place at LPVEC, 174 Brush Hill, on Sept. 9 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Five installments of the Teen Talk Series will take place in the coming weeks. The series will begin with "Raising Your Young Teen -- Weathering the Storm," with clinical social worker Jonathan Taylor of Family Care Counseling Center in Wilbraham and Longmeadow.

For further information about BWK or the Teen Talk Series, log onto www.bewellkids.org.