Countywide : A Lesson in Keeping Kids Safe

While 7-year-old Tony Boutdara practiced his handwriting and 6-year-old William Solaris played a computer math game, 11-year-old Randy Andrews memorized multiplication tables.

“What’s 4 times 7?” volunteer tutor Bock Louie quizzed.

“28!” Randy said quickly, winning praise for his right answer.

The three youngsters are among 30 who receive free after-school tutoring at a homework center in Fullerton, one of several sponsored by Orange County Congregation Community Organizations to help residents improve their neighborhoods and provide youth activities.

The Fullerton program, based at Orangethorpe United Methodist Church, was set up by OCCCO with community activists and residents as part of a neighborhood campaign to end crime and gang brawls, and to make the streets safer.

The homework centers, staffed by parents, community volunteers and church members, are one component of a program that includes stepped-up community policing and after-school sports and recreation for youths, said Carl Borris, an OCCCO member.

Other successful after-school programs are operating in Anaheim, Costa Mesa, Garden Grove, La Habra, San Juan Capistrano and Santa Ana, he said.

OCCCO, which includes churches of all denominations, hopes to open more homework centers across Orange County, spokesman John Gaudette said.

The youngsters who use the homework center are enthusiastic about it.

“I used to be so scared to go outside because of the shootings and break-ins,” said 9-year-old Angela Boutdara, a regular at the center. Another plus, she said, is that since she started coming to the center, her schoolwork has improved.

That is not unusual, Borris said. When students start using the homework center, he said, “I see a 1,000% difference.”