By HOLLY WAGNER
Herald-Whig Staff Writer

Eight-year-old Donna is on her own after school until her parents get home from work. But that doesn't mean she's alone.

Donna reports to the Redmon & Lee Center at Eighth and Elm on schooldays. There, she gets help with homework, enjoys snacks and a meal, and has time to visit and play with nearly 50 other children.

"Without a place to go, she's at risk for getting into juvenile problems," said Crystal Young, the Redmon & Lee Center's executive director. "Without us, she wouldn't have organized activities and a place to go."

The number of children using the Redmon & Lee after-school program has doubled in the past few years. Service learning, leadership development and mentoring are all part of its program. Full days during the summers include field trips to parks, the Quincy Art Center and the Quincy Public Library. The staff of seven includes teachers and cooks.

And the agency has accomplishes it all on a $40,000 annual budget.

"Honestly, I don't know how we do it," Young said. "I wonder how we got through the year."

Next year, she is hoping that finances won't have to be so tight and that there's enough money to supervise and feed even more children. Young is spearheading a capital fund drive that will continue through January to help raise money for operating expenses.

She hopes this first campaign will become an annual event.

"I know this isn't the best time to ask for money, but we need it," Young said.

Donations and grants have kept the program going so far. Young hopes an annual fund drive will provide income she can count on so the program can keep growing.

"So many kids aren't involved," she said. "I pass them on the street corner."

In the next year, she hopes to work more closely with parents and the schools so the center will attract more students. She wants to help them grow into adults who enjoy learning.

"We're proud of the success we have had .. that has enabled us to improve school attendance, test scores and grades," Young said. "It's important for those that love children that they be kept safe and supervised during nonschool hours. ... We want them to know there's somebody there for them."

-- hwagner@whig.com/221-3374