ARMONA - Griselda Kanhola's daughter was anxious the night before she was supposed to go to "an activity."

"Take me, Take me," 3-year-old Diana de la Torre told her mother late Thursday night. The activity her mom told her she was going to is Hands-on Friday at the Armona Family Resource Center.

Hands-on Friday is a weekly service that the center offers for children and their parents. Every Friday at 10 a.m. the center offers various activities for children up to 5 years old, although older siblings are welcome, and oftentimes do show up. Parents are required to stay with their children to spend quality time.

It was Kanhola's first time going to the center for Hands-on Friday and said she enjoyed the time she was able to spend with her daughter.

Mark Alvídrez, resource center director, said that he and his staff do everything possible to make the children and families comfortable.

Kanhola noticed the friendly atmosphere and immediately took a liking to the center. She even enrolled for Plaza Comunitaria, the classes offered to adults who want to learn better Spanish before they move on to English as a second language.

"There's usually a lack of confidence (with similar programs)," Kanhola said, who goes to the center from Hanford. "But here, that feeling goes away."

Activities that are offered vary since the ages of the children that attend also vary. The center has books, paint, small sandboxes and dolls among other things.

Alvídrez said that because the program was such a success when it started off in May, they had to expand the time from one hour to one and a half. Although he is not sure when, he said that the center may offer a second session of Hands-on Friday or extend it to two hours.

"This program has tons of potential (to grow)," Alvídrez said. "It's awesome."

All that is needed to participate in the ongoing program is a signed consent form that can be taken care of that same day, Alvídrez said.

Hands-on Friday's success reflects that of the center's other programs. Parenting classes and Plaza Comunitaria are the other two most popular services. Alvídrez said that word gets around about different programs when families go to the center.

Plaza Comunitaria, for example, has been very popular among parents. By learning how to read and write in Spanish, parents will then be able to have more success learning English - at least that is the program's goal.

Alvídrez said students are progressing. Writing seems to be the trouble area for most people taking the classes. Students are able to go at their own pace during class, therefore nobody gets left behind. Being at one's own pace allows the program to accept students as they come. Some students even ask for more homework, Alvídrez said.

Classes for Plaza Comunitaria started in the middle of June with a waiting list. Now, the program is able to accept people as they apply. The program offers classes equivalent to those offered in elementary school. Alvídrez said that he is working on getting permission to offer high school equivalent courses.

For more information about any of the programs that the Armona Family Resource Center has to offer, call 585-7291.

(July 23, 2005)