A group of volunteers involved with Howard Payne University’s S.W.A.R.M. (Serving With A Right Motive) came to donate their time and energy to the Pearl Griffin Memorial Latch Key Program during Jacket Journey (orientation week) for incoming freshmen on Saturday, August 20th.

According to Latch Key Program Director Jessica Hardy, the students came ready to work and do whatever was asked of them. “This year their time at Latch Key was spent cleaning chairs for the classrooms. They cleaned and scrubbed Pre-K/Kinder Little chairs as well as metal folding chairs for the older students,” explained Hardy.

The students involved in the project were (back row left to right): Luke Victor, Alaina Aguirre, Austin Hodshire, Bailey Walter and Nicole Hamilton and (front row): Penny Stehlik, Madelyn Deviney, Fibi Miller and Madeline Johnston.

Pearl Griffin Memorial Latch Key Program is a non-denominational after school program for Brownwood Independent School District students from low-income families. Our goal is to provide working families the opportunity for their children to receive quality care. Through love and understanding, children discover their own worth and develop values such as respect, honesty, and fairness. This program is available free of charge to families that qualify.

Latch Key is open to families with children 4 years old in Pre-K through 6th grade in the Brownwood ISD.  Parents must be working or going to school during after school hours and qualify for free or reduced lunches with the guidelines set forth by the Department of Agriculture. 

Latch Key is a non-profit organization. There is no organizational sponsor.  Funding comes from local foundations, churches, United Way of Brown County and individuals. Donations are also received in the form of memorials.

Those with questions about Latch Key may contact Program Director Jessica Hardy at 325-646-2138.