Folks at Bridges to the Future program are NBC 25 Heroes.
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During the day, Shawn Dunigan is a traditional school teacher. After that she runs the program at Anderson Elementary in Flint.
It's called the "Bridges to the Future" program, "In class its paper pencil, sit down. Where as in Bridges, it may be some paper pencil, it's hands on and its fun. I can socialize with my friends, there's someone there who cares about me," says Dunigan.
There are 5,000 kids in the kindergarten through 9th grade program.
The program is in 35 schools in Flint, and at all schools in Genesee County.
At Anderson elementary, sometimes kids do their "Taste of the world " study.
This time they're Learning about Japanese Culture, writing , philosophy,and food, hence the name "Taste of the world."
The kids made sushi, then did online research.
Kids also have special reading and math programs, some even use dominos to improve their skills.
Bonita Bingham, a former teacher runs the whole program for the Flint school district.
She says what makes this program special is, rather than it just being something to keep kids busy, it looks at the bigger picture.
"So not only are we concerned about the academic and the cognitive. We're concerned about social and behavior, we're concerned about emotional. We're concerned about whole child," says Bingham.
In this program, the kids let the teachers know what interests them.
Some of the programs they pick have practical applications.
Curtiece Doan, a 6th grader learned, "Wow to balance your checks, and how to go out and search for a job."
The kids not only exercise their minds, but their bodies too.
The money that pays for the program, which also takes place in summer, includes the Mott foundation, state grants and the United Way. With this program, that funding helps move Mid Michigan forward, and helps prepare kids for the future.
Folks at Bridges to the Future program are NBC 25 Heroes.
