The first thing you notice when you enter TNDC After School Program (TASP) at 225 Eddy St. is the ethnic diversity of the young people ages 5 to 17, the many languages that are spoken, and the myriad activities offered in its six rooms. About 65 kids attend the center Monday through Saturday and more than 250 are served over the course of a year.

The walls are covered with various items displaying much of what goes on. Sign up for the “Snow Trip.” Information about the Southern California College tour. Various field trips from museums to the great outdoors to places like Muir Woods.

One room has both pool and ping pong tables, but can be cleared for other events like judo lessons or for board games. Another room is for the younger kids to play in, complete with games and toys. Another is a teen room—a place where the teenagers can work on computers, do homework or just hang out away from their siblings and parents.

In the main room kids crowd around computers playing educational games. In the middle of the room is a huge table where kids do art projects or their homework assisted by tutors from UC Hastings College of Law and the 9th U.S. Court of Appeals.

There is also the food preparation and eating room where kids get nutritional snacks prepared by staff on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays. On Monday and Thursday a volunteer brings ham and turkey sandwiches for all the kids and on Fridays Escape from New York Pizza delivers food for all.

In a room in another part of the building, there is space for indoor soccer, dodge ball and other competitive games.

TASP is truly an oasis of fun, education and opportunity for the children of the Tenderloin.