Growing in a Positive Direction
 All children deserve to be protected and set upon to a positive future filled with hopes and promises. This is the focus for the Positive Direction Academy. PDA was founded in the summer of 2004, by visionaries Herbert L. and Dorothy C. Tomlin. Bing educators, the Tomlins knew the role homework and extra academic assistance contributes to students’ academic success. The Tomlins located a building and begun their mission. During a committee meeting, Dorothy was asked what exactly the children needed. She replied, “They need directions in a positive environment.” From her response, the name Positive Direction Academy was approved as the center’s name. PDA uses care in its after-school program. They provide individual tutoring, opportunities to explore various kinds of activities, technologies, and resources. They believe effective after school programs could help children beat the odds of early pregnancy, drug related influences, gangs, and academic failure. The need is great for after school programs. The focus areas at PDA include homework assistance, art, music, sports/physical wellness, academics/ technology, computer literacy, dance, culture awareness, group cooperation, and positive citizenship skills.