In the News
Articles
- Greater Enrichment Program means success
- WBTV anchors win $43,500 on “Millionaire” show for local charity
- Greater Enrichment Program plans 35th anniversary luncheon
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Greater Enrichment Program means success
By Kristen Hampton
CHARLOTTE, NC (WBTV) – 35 years ago, Bishop George Battle glanced out the window of his church office and noticed children playing in the streets. He thought of something greater.
Today his vision has manifested itself into a program that graduates hundreds of success stories every year.
The Greater Enrichment Program is a free after-school program for kids to get the extra attention they need once the classroom is closed.
Students are tutored, mentored and taught about reaching for the stars.
On Wednesday night, directors from GEP came to WBTV studios to accept a check for $43,500. The money came from a recent appearance with Paul Cameron and Maureen O’Boyle on Who Wants to be a Millionaire with Merideth Viera.
The program director says the money is more like a million dollars for the non-profit organization.
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WBTV anchors win $43,500 on “Millionaire” show for local charity
By Jeff Rivenbark – email
CHARLOTTE, NC (WBTV) –WBTV Anchors Paul Cameron and Maureen O’Boyle recently traveled to New York City to appear on the television show “Who Wants to be a Millionaire.”
This week, the show is featuring local television anchors from across the country. The money each team of anchors wins goes to a charity of their choice.
Paul and Maureen first appeared on the show Tuesday night and were also on the show Wednesday night before stepping away with $43,500 in winnings.
The money they won will be going to Greater Enrichment Program which serves at-risk children in the Charlotte area. The organization was founded 36 years ago by Bishop George Battle.
He and other workers with GEP were invited to WBTV studios Wednesday night to view the Millionaire show as they found out for the first time how much money they would be getting.
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Greater Enrichment Program plans 35th anniversary luncheon
“GEP” is Charlotte’s oldest after school program.
Over the past 35 years, Greater Enrichment Program (GEP) has impacted the lives of more than 15,000 Kindergarten to 6th grade students and their families. The organization will hold its 35th Anniversary Luncheon on Wednesday, October 20, 2010 at Noon at the Crowne Plaza in Center City Charlotte. Dr. Ron Carter, President of Johnson C. Smith University, will address the crowd.
The after school program for area at-risk children began in 1975 as Gethsemane Enrichment Program in the basement of Reverend George Battle’s Gethsemane AME Zion Church off Beatties Ford Road. Much has changed in the 35 year history of the program. The group changed its name to “Greater Enrichment Program” and now operates out of four Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools and two community sites.
“35 years ago, the view outside my office at Gethsemane AME Zion Church showed a community that was in trouble. Children were in the streets with no supervision or direction. I felt called and knew I had to do something to help give them a future,” says Bishop Battle, founder of Greater Enrichment Program.
Bishop Battle credits strong executive leadership and community support for the success of the program. In 1975, he solicited the help of church member Adelaide Hunt, who became the first Executive Director of GEP. Cathy McIlwain, the program’s 2nd Executive Director, had over 30 years of employment with the program until her unexpected death in August of this year. Bronica Glover has been GEP’s Assistant Director for the past 7 years and is now the program’s interim leader. With the help of staff and volunteers, GEP helped improve test scores and touched the lives of almost 400 local school children in the past year.
“GEP focuses on the whole family – not just the child who is in our program,” said Glover. “We know parenting and educating children is a big job, especially for families with limited income and resources.”
GEP is about more than just homework and tutoring. The program provides a safe learning environment, free transportation, healthy snacks and cultural opportunities that the children might not otherwise have. Parents and guardians are encouraged to participate in GEP programs that teach parenting skills, help eliminate the stigma of illiteracy and increase their awareness of school standards and their child’s educational needs.
Luncheon table sponsorships are available at a variety of levels and single tickets are $50.00 each. All are available by contacting GEP board member, Nancy Murray at 704.366.8333 or nmiley@mindspring.com.
