The Selma Times-Journal

SARDIS &045; A coalition of seven churches in rural Dallas County operating a learning center for children living in the isolated area, say some of them don’t have computers at home.

They use the computers and Internet at a center to help with homework and research, which organizers say helps them become more rounded students.

The $5,000 grant from the Ala-Tom Resource Conservation and Development Areas received for their efforts Thursday night will help the Sardis Churches Unity Fellowship provide a community center for 32 area children to visit after school for help with homework and learning skills enhancements.

Brown, his wife and nine other volunteers have their sights on expanding. He said they are making the final payments on two lots on Highway 41 with plans of constructing a community center in excess of $250,000.

Noopie Cosby and Norman Burton, coordinators, said the center has already been approved for another $5,000 next year.

The churches involved are Mt. Olive No. 1 Baptist, New Sister Springs Baptist, New Shiloh Missionary Baptist, New Mt. Lebanon Baptist, New Bride Missionary Baptist, New Bethany Baptist and Selmont Baptist. Their mission is to provide continuous recreational and educational outlets for youth in the community.

Rep. Yusef Salaam visited the center with Dallas County commissioner Connell Towns, H.C. &8220;Billy&8221; Atchison, who serves on the Ala-Tom board, and Callie Nelson of the Cooperative Extension Service.

Burton thanked the volunteers, who work two evenings a week with the students. &8220;It’s all for a worthy cause,&8221; he said.