“STUDY BUDDY” PROGRAM

This program provides one-to-one tutoring for the children in elementary school grades 1–5. Participating children meet with their “study buddies”—adult volunteer tutors—twice a week, after school at Middleburg Elementary School. Tutors help the children with understanding and completing homework assignments, reading fluency and decoding with phonics, and skills in math and other core subjects.

There are currently 14 children in the program and tutoring is provided by a group of approximately 20 local volunteers. While being supported academically, the children develop friendships and memories with tutors that can last a lifetime.

AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMS

Supervised after-school group activities for children in grades 1–5 take place on non-tutoring days. Currently there are two 3-hour sessions that are held each week in the recently renovated and expanded community room at Llewellyn Village Apartments.

The initial focus is on homework until homework is complete. Activities include independent reading, group reading, educational board games, arts and crafts, and supervised use of computers. Programs are also planned for middle and high school children. Importantly, these after-school programs offer the children a safe place to socialize.

CHILDREN’S SUMMER PROGRAMS

Windy Hill has its own on-site summer camp for children 6-12. The camp meets on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays for 5-6 hours and is staffed by our Program Coordinator. The children get to participate in a wide variety of “fun”, supervised activities that incorporate learning experiences and creative activities.

One of the highlights of this summer’s activities included a field trip to the Udvar-Hazy Air and Space Museum. For the older children, financial support is provided for camps at Middleburg Community Center, Hill School, and Wakefield School in The Plains so that Windy Hill kids can attend.

HEALTHY CHILD PROGRAM

This program is voluntary. Each child who participates receives an initial dental screening and then whatever dental care is needed to bring the child up to full dental health. Local dentists provide substantial volunteer support to help make this program possible.

However, additional funding is needed to allow all children under 18 to participate. Most residents don’t have any health insurance, and for most new residents, this is their first visit to a dentist.

Eye screening is provided, as needed, with support from the local Lion’s Club. The goal for the program is to have 100% of resident children participate.

PROGRAMS FOR SENIORS

The main goals of these programs are to encourage social interaction and to help seniors stay mentally active, which promotes healthy brain aging and supports their efforts to age in place.

Personal enrichment activities include a variety of on-site arts and crafts classes, gardening, and a walking club. Social programs include movie night, bingo, Wii, coffee and donuts, and community potluck.

A Health Screening Program includes monthly blood pressure checks and eye/ear screenings. The “Friday Feast” program provides a generous home-cooked meal every other Friday prepared by a group of over 40 local volunteers.

EMERGENCY FUND

Nearly all Windy Hill households have a low annual income, and nearly forty percent of them are below the Federal poverty level. When an emergency occurs, these families have no financial reserves to draw on.

The Foundation’s Family Development Committee maintains an emergency fund to provide rental assistance, utility bill assistance, or child-care assistance to any resident who has a true family or medical emergency.