Kid's Café Opens in Waverly
CCE Tioga Executive Director Andy Fagan cuts the ribbon during grand opening ceremonies of The Phoenix. From left: Dan Earl, Shawn Doyle, Andy Fagan, Mayor Anne Martin, F. John Waite, Allison Strife, Nancy 

 Students in grades seven through twelve can now go to the Waverly Kid's Café after school to do homework, get tutoring, enjoy free snacks, and use computers in a safe and nurturing environment. They can also watch movies on a large television or sing along to songs on the karaoke machine, and participate in programs being offered at no charge. 

 The Waverly Kid's Café is at 337 Broad Street in Waverly and goes by the name The Phoenix because it gives new life to an old building, which is easy to recognize by the large images of the mythical bird that fill the two windows facing Broad Street. 

 Future plans include classes on computer skills, job skills, and college preparation. The Phoenix will also become a resource for community service opportunities for kids in the Waverly area. 

 The café is open 3:00 to 7:00 pm Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays; 3:00 to 8:00 pm on Wednesdays; and 3:00 p.m. to 11:00 pm on Fridays. 
 Initial funding for The Phoenix was provided by a $20,000 grant from ConAgra Foods to Cornell Cooperation of Tioga County (CCE Tioga) through America's Second Harvest and its local affiliate, the Food Bank of the Southern Tier, which will provide the nutritious snacks and meals for the students. 

 The Best Buy Children's Foundation donated $7,500 for computer equipment and software on top of giving the café its large television and VCR/DVD player. And employees from the local Best Buy distribution center volunteered time to set up the computers and install the software.   

 In fact, many people in the community volunteered time on the construction, plumbing and wiring projects necessary to make The Phoenix a reality. And the space itself was donated by the building's owner, Tony Liguori. 

 The Phoenix is staffed by people from CCE Tioga's Youth Development and Health & Wellness programs. They are looking for volunteers to help out or teach workshops. Call Ruthanne Orth or Susan Rausch at 565-9388 or 687-4020 for more information. 

Best Buy's Shawn Doyle, left, presents CCE Tioga's Andy Fagan with a $7,500 check from the Best Buy's Children Foundation for computer equipment for The Phoenix during grand opening ceremonies on October 28. 

The Phoenix is a place were kids can go after school to do homework, get tutoring, enjoy free snacks and use computers.