The view from the Rev. George Battle’s office at Gethesmane AME Zion Church 32 years ago was bleak. All he saw were children in trouble. These were poor children failing in school, and eventually failing at everything else. Mr. Battle along with the help of Adelaide Hunt the program's first director started the Gethesmane program, which was later renamed Greater Enrichment Program, Inc..

One of the area’s oldest programs, GEP was designed to help disadvantaged children holistically, providing academic,  cultural, social and recreational enrichment.  The sucess of the program has not gone unnoticed. It was one of three organizations that received a national award from the National Community Development Association.

What has made the  Greater Enrichment Program work? Cathy McIlwain, who directs the program, credits the “tender loving care that is given to all children along with a variety of learning opportunities”. It’s that and more, observers say. GEP  provides the needed early intervention in children’s lives helping them overcome educational weaknesses and other deficiences often associated with low social economic status. 

Currently  the program serves 370 children at three schools and two recreational centers around the city , providing reading and math tutoring as well as music, art, drama and dance classes.

GEP currently works with many agencies in Charlotte/Mecklenburg County throughout the year including Big Brothers Big Sisters, Girls Scouts, Boys Scouts, Public Library, Mecklenburg County Health Department, The Family Center, Discovery Place, Substance Abuse Prevention Services, UNCC, St. Johns Episcopal Church, Computer Access in Neighborhoods (C.A.N.) CMPD, the Fire Department and the Parks and Recreations Department. GEP also works with many local art and music educators as well as a host of children entertainers.