Home away from home
story by Christian Lee
The Kings Center in Frankfort is named for three Kings, but it's Candace Haynes who makes it a safe haven for the community.
The center is named after Martin Luther King Jr., Peggy King of Frankfort, a community and environmental advocate, and Jesus Christ, who was known as the king of the Jews. The faith-based, nonprofit community center in Frankfort has served the Franklin County community for more than 16 years.
Candace, 41, of Frankfort, teaches and mentors children at the Kings Center, aiming to help them turn into model citizens, Candace serves as a role model and motivator.
"We try to give them all the love and care that we can," Candace says. "The kids love it here."
Often kids wait in line for the center to open up, Candace says.
On weekdays, she waits for the bus, greets them and walks them into the center. She shepherds about 50 children each day.
The children come after school and stay two to three hours until their parents pick them up.
Even though they really want to play, Candace sees that their time at the center begins with school homework. If a student doesn't bring homework, Candace provides it and monitors their work.
Children often ask, "Miss Candace, is this right? Is this right? Can I go outside and play now?" Candace says. She usually answers, "no, you can't play until the homework is done."
Candace is mother, teacher, friend and disciplinarian at times. A child who acts out may be suspended or not permitted to attend field trips she arranges.
The center serves as a safe haven for the students. It provides structured activity, a healthy dinner and a side of motherly love.
Candace meets students as they arrive for the after-school program.
Candace jokes with students outside the center.
Cameron Childs, 9, left, Andrew Gaines, 8 and Taylor Dunnigan play a game they created. Candace asks children to complete their homework before playing.
Geordan Haynes, 11, slaps her face with her homework after Candace, her mother, reveals the solution to a math problem. Geordan works on her homework every weekday at the center.
Daniyah Martin, left, Rissa Bush and Simiyah Minion come to the Kings Center for a few hours after school to work on homework and eat a healthy dinner.