In the Spring of 1995, the United Methodist Church of Woburn began to think about opening an after school program, knowing that the YMCA, which had been renting the church for its program, was likely to move to another site that Fall. As it turned out, the YMCA didn't move for several more years, but the church continued to work on the project, knowing that at that time the Y had a long waiting list. The church knew that child care was a need of the community and was prepared to meet that need, if possible. At the same time, Woburn resident and church member, Leslie Hastings, was preparing to retire from the Winchester Public Schools and wanted to begin such a program.

Sometime in the Spring, the Rev. Peter Hey, the pastor of the United Methodist Church, mentioned to the other city clergy that the church was interested in finding another place for a school age childcare program. The pastor of the Lutheran Chruch of the Reeemer, the Rev. Ted Asta, was trying to get that church to "move off the hill" and become more visible in the city, so discussion began for the creation of a program sponsored by both churches.

Thanks to some very hard work by dedicated folks from both churches, all inspections were completed and the doors of the After School Club opened to 12 students in September 1995. Within two years, the program paid back loans to both churches and raised its licensed maximum from 32 to 45 children.

In the intervening years, our enrollment has fluctuated with the economy and other unpredictable factors. For the most part, we operate with a waiting list, often a very long one in the Summers.

We have no plans to increase our enrollment or to grow into multiple sites because we don't feel that we can offer the same kind of personalized care and constructive environment.