NCNW which is short for the National Council of Negro Women, Inc. was founded on December 5, 1935 by Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune, an educator and Civil Rights leader. The organization was locally chartered in Valdosta on August 3, 2011.

“Members of the NCNW Education Committee brainstormed ideas for housing students for the Tutorial Program.  It was suggested that we seek assistance from the County.  Commissioner Joyce Evans, an NCNW member and committee member was able to assist us in getting a building,” says McClendon.

The idea of the tutorial program was born out of one of NCNW’s initiatives which was to assist elementary school children in grade K-5 that may be struggling with reading, math and writing, according to McClendon. 

The committee hosted its open house at 601 N. Lee Street on Saturday, September 13^th from 2 to 4 pm.  Pastor Bernard Robinson prayed over the building and program.  Parents and volunteers signed up to use the tutorial program as well as assist with providing support for students and parents. McClendon says that the organization overall wants to help as many students as possible in the Valdosta, Lowndes county area.

Commissioner Joyce Evans played a key role in establishing the building for the organization to use for its tutorial program.  Valdosta City Schools and volunteers donated desk, chairs and other resources while the district’s Superintendent Mr. Marty Roesch has been instrumental in showing support for the initiative.  In April, the Valdosta Retired Educators (VLREA) presented McClendon with monetary support to begin the tutorial program process.

McClendon says that the community can show their support by encouraging parents to bring their children who are in need of academic support to the program.  The grand opening of the tutorial program will be October 20^th and services will be offered weekly Monday through Thursday from 4-6 p.m. For more information contact Mrs. Bettye McClendon at 229-834-2610. 

Mrs. McClendon gives respective acknowledgements to the following individuals for supporting the tutorial program: Founding President, Sharah Denton,  1^st Vice President, Tiffany Vinson, The Education Committee which includes: Commissioner Joyce Evans, Sheena Perry, Betty Smith, Annie Fisher, Beverly Sharpe, Cantrell Monds, Brandy King, Jennetta Roberts, Shirley Whitehead, Dr. Beverley Richardson-Blake, Mildred Harris, Eleanor Davis, Sara Bell, Jamie Hill, Co-Chair Carolyn Haigler, Principal Home Learning Center, Michael Roberts, Maggie Karras Valdosta City School case manager, Chris Chastain, Valdosta High School Assistant Principal, Rubye Pompey, President of Retired Educators (VLREA), Alice DeVane, Past President of VLREA, and Valdosta City School Superintendent, Marty Roesch.