
LEWISTON — Tree Street Youth Center began its five-week summer program Monday with 160 students enrolled.
The 80 younger students attend from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.; the 80 older students from 1 to 4 p.m.
“It’s all at no cost to families,” Tree Street Executive Director Julia Sleeper said.
Teachers and counselors wear color-coded Tree Street shirts. Blue shirts are for paid staffers or interns; pink for “street leaders” or high school mentors; and green for squad leaders or a middle school student not old enough to be a street leader but who is getting experience to become one.
In the morning session there are 16 staffers and interns, 23 street leaders and seven squad leaders.
Some of the street leaders are also teacher assistants, such as Asma Omer, 16, a Lewiston High School student.
“They are local high school youth who are interested in teaching,” Sleeper said. “We partner them with interns” so they can get a feel for teaching a class.
The high amount of staffing allows every child to have a lot of support, Sleeper said.
The program runs for five weeks.
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