Taking safety and learning a step further

The after-school hours - from 3 to 6 p.m. - are the most dangerous for unsupervised youngsters, educational specialists say. For the past 11 years, the Brockton Church and Community Afterschool Program has tried to do something about that, giving children at the city's Arnone School a place to go two afternoons a week for help with homework and a chance to work on life skills.

Director Donna M. Costa said it is the city's only free after-school program. It was started in 1998 by people at the Central United Methodist Church "who were looking at what they could do for the community in the immediate area," she said.

About 25 Arnone students attend. Volunteer tutors provide one-on-one homework assistance for the first hour. Also, games that promote learning, such as Scrabble, are played. The second hour focuses on cooking, arts and crafts, dance, and music.

Costa said the program, which has about 25 volunteers, is especially important for children who live in tough neighborhoods. "The kids go home but their parents or caretakers can't let them out because it's too dangerous," she said. "This program gives them a place to go a couple of days a week."

The program is holding a fund-raiser Tuesday at 7 p.m. at Central United Methodist Church, 65 Elm St., Brockton. It is a "What Is it Worth?" event, put on by Spinner Auctions, in which people can bring antiques or older furniture to be appraised. There will be refreshments and door prizes. Tickets are $15 for one item to be appraised or $10 to be in the audience, Costa said.

For tickets, call 508-586-3939 or e-mail chcomafterschool@verizon.net.

WHALE OF A TALK: Craig MacDonald, superintendent of the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary, at the entrance of Massachusetts Bay between Gloucester and Provincetown, will discuss the sanctuary's marine and maritime significance on March 29 at the Duxbury Free Library at 2 p.m. MacDonald will talk about the importance of the area as the seasonal home to endangered humpback whales and the history of significant shipwrecks in the waters, including the steamship Portland. Free tickets are required for admission. Call 781-934-2721, ext. 108.

ACADEMIC NOTES: Nnamdi C. Obukwelu of Brockton, a senior at Boston College High School, has been recognized for placing among the top 5 percent of students in the National Achievement Scholarship Program. Fellow BC High seniors John R. Goddard of Bridgewater, Michael W. Cafarelli of Canton, Ryan R. Westover of Stoughton, and Timothy M. Galvin of Whitman were named Commended Scholars in the 2009 National Merit Scholarship Program.

The parent-teacher organization at Ross Elementary School in Braintree received a $500 grant from South Coastal Bank's community-giving program. The money was put toward an appearance by the Bamidele Dancers and Drummers, a performing arts troupe dedicated to preserving African-rooted cultures through dance, music, and song.

BUSINESS BRIEFS: Southcoast Hospitals Group has presented its 2008 Southcoast President's Awards for Excellence for outstanding performance: Kris Aimone (inset) of Bridgewater, wellness coordinator in the occupational health department for the group, which is made up of St. Anne's Hospital in Fall River, Tobey Hospital in Wareham, and St. Luke's Hospital in New Bedford; Cidalia Correia of East Freetown, nurse's assistant and radiology transporter at Tobey; Patricia A. Keenan of Mattapoisett, manager of patient care in emergency services at St. Luke's; and Danielle D. Holmes (inset), health unit coordinator in perioperative services at Tobey.

The Bostonian Group has donated $1,500 to the Robert F. Kennedy Children's Action Corps. James Blue of Westwood, chairman and CEO of the Bostonian Group, is a new member of the Action Corps board of directors. The consulting firm made the donation instead of sending traditional holiday gifts to clients.

Paul E. Kandarian can be reached at Kandarian@globe.com.

Correction: Because of a reporting error, last Sunday's People column incorrectly identified the Fall River hospital that is part of the Southcoast Hospitals Group. The correct facility is Charlton Hospital.