CIVIC CENTER ALUMNUS RETURNS FAVOR

When Lloyd Williams was a child, he spent many hours at the Cape Civic Center.

"I really grew up in the Civic Center," he said. "I learned chess from a guy named Jimmy, who was a university student. The first club I ever belonged to was at the Civic Center. We had 4-H then."

When Williams, a medical assistant, returned to Cape Girardeau he learned that his Civic Center was having some hard times. Williams decided to do something about it.

"It had been a part of my history," he said. "It was a part of a lot of people's history."

Williams serves as the Civic Center's interim director, a volunteer position. He volunteers between 10 and 30 hours a week, in addition to his full-time job.

"Much of his work is done behind the scenes," said Willa Hamilton, who works with Williams at the center. "One does not know he is working until the product is experienced."

As interim director, Williams duties range from cleaning the building to writing grant proposals. He also works with students.

"The center is again becoming a viable entity in the community since his tenure as director," Hamilton said. "He has been instrumental in the creation and coordination of the after-school programs."

Volunteer tutors from Southeast Missouri State University work with youngsters on homework and school projects.

In addition, the Cape Girardeau Public Library has an outreach program at the center.

Nearly 80 children are enrolled in the program, and about 20 attend each day. Most are in grades one through six.

Under Williams' guidance, programs at the center continue, and a summer camp is being planned.

"I'd like to see the center more self-sufficient," Williams said. "I'd like to be able to pay someone to coordinate recreational activities here."

Williams watched youngsters talking and studying one afternoon last week. "I just like it here," he said. "And the kids seem to be doing well. They seem to enjoy coming down here."