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Driving down Elyria's Middle Avenue, one could easily miss the small building with no curb appeal. When inside the structure, it would be evident that the interior begs for remodeling and redecorating.

But that is where the minuses stop. The building is home to the Save Our Children (SOC) agency and, while lacking some decor and roominess, the services it provides are anything but lacking.

SOC's programming is stellar. The caring and familial feeling that its program offerings emanate are tangible, as are the results achieved with participants. As put by one United Way fund distribution volunteer noted for his program evaluation rigor, "In my 15 years doing agency site visits, this is the finest youth program I have ever seen. What they are doing is so important and so well done. It is impressive. This is truly a quality children's program!"

SOC's summer and after-school programs are the services that United Way funds. SOC provides them to children living in south Elyria neighborhoods. Program components include educational assistance and socialization activities aimed at instilling an appreciation for academic excellence, personal success and healthy values. Their approach to program delivery views each young person "holistically," thereby endeavoring to integrate the participants' academic achievement with the rest of their development.

SOC's focus is on lifelong learning and intellectual curiosity. Observing the tutoring and learning experiences offered, one is impressed by the emphasis put on clear thinking, finding solutions to questions and on real understanding of math, language, science and other subjects. Evident, too, is the strong emphasis woven through the program curriculum on the cultivation of leadership skills and on valuing the uniqueness of each participant. Regarding leadership, the program requires participants to attend, perform and interact well with others.

Make no mistake: this is not after school baby-sitting. Program participants are held accountable for their behavior and participation. Older students are expected to be role models and help younger students. Schedules are expected to be maintained and commitments kept. In every activity, participants are exhorted to do their best. This is one very serious piece of human service being offered by SOC. The youth served come from low-income and otherwise challenged home settings. For many, SOC is their safest environment, their positive reinforcement outside of school and, often, their second home. All of which makes the results even more remarkable.

Little wonder that the founders named the agency accordingly: "We call the program Save Our Children because that is what we do - Through our programs we are saving children from drugs, street violence and the allure of bad companions."

That is my kind of mission statement. "Save" has no ambiguity. Nor should there be any when describing what the service's focus should be for today's at-risk youth. Carnegie Corporation's report on after school programs said it well. "Risk can be transformed into opportunity for our youth by turning their non-school hours into the time of their lives." Save Our Children is doing just that. Working collaboratively with staff from Elyria Schools, the program keeps lines of communication open between the school and parents regarding the children's academic needs. The program monitors academic progress, school attendance and behavior. Mostly it provides that personal touch that tells each youngster, "You are important."

My favorite part of Save Our Children's program is the field trip segment, which exposes participants to the world and experiences that they might not otherwise have had. Exposure that other children their age might take for granted: a trip to the zoo, science museum, I.X. Center or Progressive Field. Or possibly a reward as simple as a visit to the in-house candy store.

What a concept! A challenging, caring, safe, fun and supportive learning environment.

That is the concept of getting results for children at Save Our Children.

As printed in The Chronicle-Telegram 9/20/08