BEG ASAP-The History of Bennie E

The History of Bennie E. Goodwin

In March 1995 a local retired school administrator, Dr. Mable Young, began a free program to help students whose academic performance indicated that they could benefit from assistance. Faith Temple Ministries in Aurora provided the facilities and donated the utilities.

Three months later, in June 1995, a group of educators, business and community leaders concurred with Dr. Young that there was a critical need for an effective, free, permanent academic assistance program designed to assist youth who were at risk of failing elementary school because of their inability to read and calculate. Thus, a new non-profit organization, the Bennie E. Goodwin Educational Foundation was created. The foundation was established in honor of the program director's father, the late Reverend Bennie E. Goodwin (pictured right), a jurisdictional bishop.

After approximately two years, the focus of the program was changed from tutorial to skill building in the areas of reading and mathematics.

Due to the increased cost of implementing the Skill Building Program, the Program could no longer be free; therefore, parents were requested to invest a modest sum towards the education of their children.

Since its inception in 1995, the After School Academic Program (ASAP) has been affecting positive changes in the academic performance and overall learning readiness of the youth it serves.