Children of the Valley program expands into Burlington

BURLINGTON — The Children of the Valley after-school program now has the ability to serve more children.

The free referral-based program for those in kindergarten through the fifth grade held a grand opening Tuesday for a site at the Christ The King Skagit campus in Burlington.

There are 45 spaces available at the new site and about 30 have already been filled.

“We’re excited to be serving more kids as there is more need than programs, so I feel that every child deserves to be in a loving, supportive space after school where they can (be driven) and learn and be poured into the best person they can be,” Children of the Valley Executive Director Flora Lucatero said.

The need for the program to expand became apparent during the COVID-19 pandemic when in-person learning was shut down and concerns were expressed about online attendance.