The Earl & Mary Watts After-school Program at Janie’s Garden opened at the beginning of this week to a packed crowd. The program provides academic support to families with 6- to 12-year-old children living at Janie’s Garden, a mixed-income housing community in North Sarasota. Programming centers on homework support, study skills, reading achievement, social and emotional skills learning and character building.  

The new program is named for two well-loved and influential members of the community, Earl and Mary Watts. These notable community members were well-known Sarasota County educators and among Sarasota County’s first black school administrators. The big reveal of the program’s name was announced during the grand opening this past Monday.  The couple’s son, Edwin Watts, was at the event to speak on behalf of his family. Attendees included various members of the United Way Suncoast Sarasota Area Board including United Way Suncoast Chair Dan Vigne, Sarasota County Schools Superintendent Todd Bowden, Director of Education for USF Sarasota-Manatee Dr. Marie Byrd and President and CEO of the Sarasota County Housing Authority, William Russell. 

The Earl & Mary Watts After-school Program at Janie’s Garden was made possible through a gift to United Way from Dave and Debbie Walker, social service coordination from Better Tomorrows and USF Sarasota-Manatee, who is providing six students to serve as tutors/mentors at the center. Children who are reading at grade level by the end of third grade are FOUR TIMES more likely to graduate high school. High-school graduates have greater career opportunities and the potential to earn 75% more over a lifetime than those who do not graduate.

Pictured: Derrick Kirce & Edwin Watts