Page 61 - South Mississippi Living - April, 2021

Beginnings is the Excel by 5 program that focuses on the formative years of children and supports parents and early childhood educators.
“All of these services are free to the parents. There is no charge for any of these resources,” McCorkle said.
While it might be awhile before the FIC o ers its popular Super Saturday events or reopens to daycare visits, the center is open now by appointment for families to enjoy.
Rodol ch – a self-described idea person – said he would like to have the gymnasium oor replaced and he wants to see the FIC center continue to grow.
“We have this place to illustrate how much we care about our children. This is a safe place to play and intellectually stimulating. They can expand their knowledge about the world by playing here,” he said.
The FIC was named after Aaron Jones, a popular coach and teacher at Carver High School. The center
was conceived after Hurricane Katrina in 2005 when Rodol ch felt pushed to save the former Black high school/10th grade
Annex, and make it into a place for youngsters to play and learn.
ABOVE LEFT: Christopher Broome, Jr. reads a book with his mother.
ABOVE TOP: Cesar Contreras. ABOVE: Vin Rodol ch.
BELOW: Maggie Merrill.
Aaron Jones Family Interactive Center
1415 Skip St., Pascagoula 228.938.6418 www.pgsd.ms
Open by appointment only: Monday 9 a.m.-noon, Tuesday-Thursday noon-3:30 p.m. and Friday 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living | www.smliving.net April 2021 | 61