March 23, 2010, 4:45PM
Whaley Children's Center, a local treatment and residential facility for abused and neglected kids, is going to receive some unexpected, yet very appreciated help from an even more unexpected source; students from Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill.
Thirteen students from the university will travel to Flint for an alternative spring break program, serving at Whaley March 22 to 26. Their main project will be to renovate the Optimist House, one of Whaley's group homes.
The students found Whaley on the internet and decided to pursue it as a service opportunity, rather than taking the traditional spring break vacation. Whaley currently houses 42 children from around Michigan and will benefit from renovation projects at the facility as they have a goal to take in more children.
"They will be painting the entire interior of the house, pulling up carpet, renovating the kitchen and generally sprucing up the grounds," Katie Parker, interim development director for Whaley, explained.
"The completion of this project will be a major milestone in the extensive process of planning for a new program, which will bring six additional children to Whaley Children's Center for much-needed services."
While in Flint, the students will be housed at Calvary United Methodist Church. Whaley is currently accepting donations to help with the purchase of paint, supplies and lunch for the students.
