ALL ABOUT THE KIDS – Church is the center of her universe

When the 82nd Street Academics school in Jackson Heights got into full swing five years ago, Alice Faber knew she wanted to be involved.
From the age of 16, she had volunteered at her local church, and after moving to Jackson Heights when she married her husband, Ernest, 30 years ago, Faber had become involved with the United Methodist Community Church and its several community groups - running the senior center, Fun and Fellowship, and working with the Garden Committee.
The Church and its community groups also provided Faber with the opportunity to meet Sam Werner 22 years ago - eight years after her husband had died - and the couple have been companions ever since.
&#8220About 20 years ago, they [the Church] started a kindergarten for Pre-K children. It was very small at the time,” Faber said.
The school, which spun out of a Universal Pre-K into a grammar school, is located on the same tract of property as the Church - between 81st and 82nd Streets on 35th Avenue. In 2002, the Church decided to incorporate the school separately but share some facilities. In addition, members of the Church were asked to help at the school depending on their skills and work experiences.
Faber's one son, Robert, was already grown and working as an engineer in Massachusetts, so Faber thought she would be not suited to working with young children, who have a seemingly endless supply of energy.
Nevertheless, she had worked in Accounts Payable for the Bulova Watch Company for nearly 20 years, making her well versed in finance. In addition, she learned quickly how to write grants to ask for funding for the program.
&#8220Everything that gets put in there has to be checked to be safe for the children,” Faber said. &#8220There are pages and pages of applications, so that's where I come in. I spend a lot of time on the telephone.”
In addition to her role as treasurer of the Community Church, Faber was made a member of the Board of Directors and began handling the finances of the school.
Since starting in the role, Faber has helped fence off the garden so that it can be used by the children as an after-school play space. Next on the list is finding soft material to cover the ground on the playground outside - then buying play equipment.
&#8220There should be a safe place outside the building for the children to play,” she said. &#8220You have to educate the mind, but they [the kids] also need some physical activity, all under supervision of course.”
Talking about the school, which now boasts about 150 children in Pre-K and kindergarten and two more Pre-K classes on the way for next year, and its various after school and summer programs, Faber gushed about the homework help, special dancing classes, rigorous classes, and multicultural potluck dinners.
&#8220I think they are doing a wonderful job for these youngsters,” Faber said.
The aim behind the school is to provide academics as well as childcare for Queens residents who may not be able to afford traditional classes and care.
For local parents, especially mothers who have several young children, the after school programs has provided a place where their children can not only spend time, but also learn and play under supervision. Moreover, all of the children complete their homework before they head home.
&#8220It's a boon to the parent to be able to know that their homework is done by the time they get home,” Faber said.
In addition to writing grants, Faber has organized several flea markets this year to raise funds for the school.
However, all of the work with the school has left her with little time for some of her other activities. Faber's senior group, which started 18 years ago, shut down in June.
&#8220You can only do so much,” Faber said reluctantly, adding that some of the group's activities - trips to Atlantic City, visits to art museums in Manhattan, and lectures by local artists - were some of her favorite memories since moving to Queens in the 1940s.