LEAP program garners recognition

Bigfork's LEAP after-school program got a little added recognition to mark its fifth year of operation.

The program's director, Cathy Gaiser, was recently the first ever recipient of the Montana Attorney General's After-school Provider of the Year Award. She was presented with a plaque at a recent state conference.

"It's very humbling and very awesome," Gaiser said.

For those who have been a part of the program, they find it hard to believe that it's already been five years.

"Time flies when you're having fun," board member Debbie Corder said.

Sign-ups are ongoing for the fifth year of LEAP, a program which provides a safe place as well as learning opportunities for children after school until 6 p.m.

When the program began, it started with 40 children. Now it's grown to last year seeing more than 260 local children.

Within the first two days of this year, the program already had 85 kids signed up including 59 new students who hadn't been to LEAP before.

"I'm really pleased with the progress and with what we've accomplished," Gaiser said. "We're determined to make it successful and make it work."

Students attend for a variety of reasons — some while their parents are at work and others just for the opportunity to learn through the enrichment activities.

The LEAP bus picks the kids up after school and takes those in kindergarten through fifth grade to Crossroads Christian Fellowship. The program is not associated with the church but rents facility space from it.

The students attend a roughly 10-minute assembly, have a snack and then get down time for homework, reading, free drawing or other activities.

LEAP partners with the Bigfork School District for the federal after-school snack program to provide food to the kids in the program.

Starting at 4:15 p.m., the students have a choice of different enrichment activities which can include gymnastics, art, 4-H, choir, cheerleading, science and robotics. Parents pick the children up before 6 p.m.

LEAP employs six people, including Gaiser, but also runs with the help of volunteers. These community members help by spending time with individual children who need extra attention and helping with reading and other enrichment programs.

"We're always looking for volunteers," Corder said. "We have a staff here, but volunteers really help make the program."

Last year the program grew to include middle school grade levels three days a week. Grades six to eight meet at the Bigfork Playhouse Children's Theatre's Performing Arts Center behind the Bigfork Fire Hall. They also have homework time and enrichment activities.

Additional funding was garnered to expand it to four days a week this school year. "Our numbers have already doubled from last year," Gaiser said of the middle school program.

High school students are also finding ways to get involved. At least four Bigfork High School students who are signing up for the AmeriCorps program will work with LEAP to tutor and host programs. Gaiser hopes to continue to expand the work LEAP does with Bigfork schools in the future.

"I want to partner even more with the schools in order to help kids academically as much as possible," she said.

Registration forms for those interested in signing their children up for LEAP are available at both Swan River School and Bigfork Elementary and Middle School. Parents can also come in to Crossroads Christian Fellowship between 8:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, call 837-LEAP or visit www.bigforkleap.org for more information.

Those who qualify for the free and reduced-lunch program are able to participate without cost as a requirement through the program's 21st Century Learning Center grant. The amount of those who attend free has gone up 18 percent in the last four years, mostly due to the economic recession, which makes the total about half of the kids.

"We're serving a lot more kids for free," Gaiser said.

To keep the program affordable for area parents, the cost for those who are charged is about $80 a month, or about half of what the actual cost is per child. There is also a reduced fee for families. Since many children attend for free and tuition doesn't cover expenses, LEAP has to find ways to fund the program through grants and donations, like the $10,000 donation anonymously given to the program last month.

"It was such a blessing," Gaiser said. "It was such a perfect way to kick off the year with some money in the bank."

That donation in particular will help make up for a loss of $10,000 in funding for the LEAP bus.

To also help with costs, LEAP is running a Wall of Wine fundraiser through today, Sept. 16. People can purchase raffle tickets to win 100 bottles of premium wine, which are currently on display at Coffee Cellar. Costs are $5 a ticket, six for $25 or 25 for $100 and the tickets can be purchased until 6 p.m. today.

"Even if we don't get to our goals for support, people will step up to fill the void," Corder said. "Donations are much needed and very appreciated."