Glen Haven Developmental Center.

Syd and I went to the Glen Haven Developmental Center and talked with the director Stephanie Baldwin. We visited during the time that the children were using the space and being tutored with their homework.

What kind of group services do you provide?
After school tutoring to about 40 children from K-12th grade, called “Homework Haven” from 3-5pm everyday. This program is a homework-tutoring program where students from Guilford College volunteer to tutor. ESL classes are also offered in the evening for adults as well as high school students. They also have Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts once a month within the space. They mainly have children that are Liberian, Sudanese, Montagnard, Latino/ Hispanic, and Burmese.

What kind of facilities would you ideally would you need or like to have?
A larger meeting space with smaller separate meeting rooms where tutors could help the students with homework in a more secluded and quieter setting. Also an outdoor basketball court as well as space outside for meeting. And also ideally an indoor recreation area.

How many participants do you usually have that participate in programs at one time?
There are usually about 40 students that come from 3-5 everyday also about 10 -20 adults and high school students that come for the ESL class.

What problems or issues are you currently experiencing with the space?
There are major volume issues. With all the children working in one room that is the size of an apartment living room it gets very loud, to the point that the children complain that they cannot concentrate and need to go home to work. They need more storage for toys that could be used outside [balls, jump ropes, etc] They also need more desk space [they only had 4 large tables] they also need more computers [they only had 4] they would like to have at least 10 for the children to work on their homework. Also they need A LOT of storage for books, crayons, and other craft supplies. Also they need bulletin board space. Drawings and other things that the children had done were taped on the wall and if there was a specific place for them to be “shown off” the children would really like it. Also more white boards or chalk boards to relay messages to the children that are working and to the tutors. They also needed more file storage. Overhead lighting, bright colors on the walls that do not show dirt.

What do you specifically enjoy about the space the most?
They loved that it was located within the apartment complex in which they lived. They loved the community that the location offered.

What type of activities do children participate in within the space?
They complete homework assignments, as well as craft projects, read, have meetings for Girl and Boy Scouts.

What types of technology, furniture, lights, colors do you have or want?
Overhead lighting, bright colors on the walls that do not show dirt. More computer and up to date computers.


What type of environment do you feel is most comfortable for you to work in?
The main volunteer had her own office that appeared very disorganized, but she said that she had her own space that she could bring one of the children to if they needed to discuss an issue and that she was very “blessed” with the space that she had.

What type of cleaning techniques do you use? [What materials are better for the types of messes that you have]
No carpet!

How much of the space is related to the immigrants and how do they respond to it?
She wished that there was more artwork that relate to the immigrant children that used the space. And that the space was more visually diverse.

Have the immigrants ever asked for changes within the space? And if so what changes did they ask for?
They asked for a playground [that was their main want] and there was a playground that was donated about a year ago.

How much interaction do the people have with the outside environment?
The children love to be outside and play on the playground. They wished that there was a place to meet outside or to even work on homework outside also. They would also love to incorporate an urban garden.