St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church of Darien is alive with the sounds of children after school four days a week.
“Our mission is to provide a rich environment where children of McIntosh County are exposed to as many ideas and activities, and as much love and support, as our community and the world can provide,” said Laura Evans, Youth Director for St. Andrew’s.
Now, thanks to a $1,500 grant from Southeastern Bank Community Foundation, they have additional funding to support their youth programs.
St. Andrew’s after-school program has four groups, each coming on a different day of the week, with time to play, do art, eat a full meal, and participate in other fun activities like guest speakers or field trips. There is a group of fifth graders, six graders, seventh and eighth graders, and high school students. They also provide an in-school tutoring program to fourth graders as well.
In addition to the fun activities in their after-school program, they also provide transportation home for many of the children. “We provide transportation home for families that request it and might drive as many as 35 students home in a week,” said Evans.
For the 2024-2025 school year, 45 students were enrolled in the program.
Until recently, one staff person and community volunteers ran the programs. The addition of a part-time cook and teaching assistant “has deepened the relationships we have with students and families as there is consistency from day-to-day and we have many siblings in our various youth groups,” said Evans. “More consistency has allowed me, as the youth director, more time to come up with lessons better adapted to the needs and interests of each group, tailoring our program in a way that was more challenging before this school year.”
“The support of Southeastern Bank (Community) Foundation is a vote of confidence in the difference we are making in the lives of our students and the need for after-school care for working families,” said Evans. “Funding helps to foster the growth we hope to see in our students. We (graduated) our second class of twelfth graders (this past) May and the field trips, including college tours, and guest speakers in various career fields helped us to assist these students in their launch into the world.”
“Our youth represent the future of our community,” said Jay Torbert, President and CEO of Southeastern Bank. “We’re proud to support after-school programs like St. Andrew’s that help young people grow, learn, and thrive.”
About Southeastern Bank Community Foundation, Inc.
A 501(c)(3) organization, Southeastern Bank Community Foundation supports local nonprofits making a difference in the communities served by Southeastern Bank. Employees of the Bank serve on the Foundation Board on a rotational basis and determine how funds are dispersed in its local communities. The Foundation is currently funded with donations from the Bank.
Applications for future grant award cycles are available on the Bank’s website at southeasternbank.com or any Southeastern Bank office.
About Southeastern Bank
Established in 1888, Southeastern Bank has a long history of serving its customers and communities through its 11 locations in coastal Georgia and northeast Florida. The Bank is headquartered in Darien, Georgia. Visit southeasternbank.com to learn more.
About Us: Southeastern Bank, established in 1888, has a long history of serving its customers and communities. From traditional deposit and loan services to long-term mortgage originations and credit cards, Southeastern Bank has the financial products you need most. The Bank has 10 branch locations throughout coastal Georgia and northeast Florida, including Brunswick, Callahan, Darien, Eulonia, Folkston, Hilliard, Kingsland, Nahunta, Richmond Hill and St. Simons Island, and a loan production office in Hinesville.
