DECATUR - Effective homework assistance, made possible by a $25,000 grant, will be part of the schedule as the Boys & Girls Club of Decatur begins its fall program Tuesday.

Power Hour, backed by Charity Projects Entertainment Fund/Idol Gives Back, helps young people see homework as a chance to learn to work independently, complete projects on time and feel good about their accomplishments.

In addition to homework help, Power Hour offers age-appropriate activities to show club members how knowing fractions can help them cook a meal or how knowing geography can help them get more out of reading a newspaper.

"We have educational games, such as Scrabble, chess and checkers, and two new computers for games to help them with their spelling and other subjects," said Anita Buckner, education coordinator at the club. "We're not going to be doing paper and book stuff all the time."

Buckner said the funding is allowing her to focus on education and do a more extensive screening of volunteers who will work with the children. She is still looking for volunteers.

It also provides incentives, such as field trips and items students can "purchase" at an incentive store.

"We are so grateful to Charity Projects Entertainment Fund," said Executive Director Walt Smith. "So many of the children we serve simply do not have access to resources necessary for successful homework completion, which is critical to their academic success."

The Boys & Girls Club is a United Way agency that serves about 1,000 youths at its 15,000-square-foot building at 859 N. Jasper St.

Program hours will be 3 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturdays. Dedicated homework time will be 4 to 6 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, 4 to 7 p.m. with Project Success tutors on Wednesdays and 3 to 4 p.m. on Fridays.

Other activities include Girl Scouts, cheerleading and basketball.

Next Wednesday, Competitive Edge barbers will be giving free haircuts to all male club participants from 3 to 8 p.m., and a Welcome Back street festival is planned for 2 to 6 p.m. Sept. 20. The festival will feature free school supplies, food, games and prizes.

Youths 7 to 17 can get a one-year membership at the Boys & Girls Club by bringing the most recent school report card or midterm, filling out an application and paying a $1 membership fee. Call 422-9605.

tchurchill@herald-review.com|421-7978