SEDRO-WOOLLEY – Mount Vernon-based after school program Children of the Valley has expanded to serve Sedro-Woolley, and celebrated its new location with a ribbon cutting on Wednesday, Feb. 1

The program, in partnership with the Sedro-Woolley School District, is located in the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church.

Children of the Valley serves children of low-income families, offering a variety of cultural enrichment activities, social emotional learning and academic support. Students attend Children of the Valley on a referral basis through their elementary school counselor.

Donors, community members and representatives from the Mount Vernon Chamber of Commerce attended the ribbon cutting. Services in Sedro-Woolley began in January, and an average of 30 children attend on any given day from Central, Mary Purcell and Evergreen Elementary Schools.

“Children of the Valley has been providing after school services for students most in need in the Mount Vernon School District for the past 15 years,” Flora Lucatero, executive director of Children of the Valley, said. “It is exciting and an honor to be able to serve students in our surrounding communities. They have a large need for our program as well.”