People in Action, a community enrichment program addressing the needs of residents of the Springfield Garden Apartments, is operated by the Town of DeWitt’s Parks & Recreation Department. Before the new Center was built, programming for the people of Springfield Gardens was held in cramped, vacant apartments or in the building’s damp, dark basement. In 2008 People in Action opened the new
David G. Klim Learning and Recreation Center. Now, all programming can be hosted in the bright and spacious new Center.
Sited on the campus of DeWitt’s Springfield Garden Apartments, the new facility includes flexible classroom configurations for Pre-School and After-School Programs, plus computer-aided instruction to help non-English speakers learn the language. More programs are in the works, including adult literacy classes, GED preparation, job candidate coaching and art education.
With each year that the Springfield Garden programs evolve and grow, local children are going to school better prepared to learn and achieve. Children show up for programming more regularly, and more tutors are available to work with them one on one. As a result, many of the residents and their children have improved their state test scores and their regular schooling. Community Foundation funding allowed the new center to expand with enough teachers, computers, books and other supplies to help the children and adult learners succeed.