Cheryl Harlan is the Center Director for the Mel Carnahan Family Learning Center in St. James. Named after the late Missouri Governor Mel Carnahan, who died in a plane crash six weeks after dedicating the center, the Family Learning Center provides many services to St. James and the surrounding communities. Services include adult education and literacy, GED prep, life skills and English as a Second Language. Many young mothers come to the center to prepare for their GED and to attend parenting classes. They like the center because they are able to bring their children with them. The day care center is open to the entire community and is always abuzz with activity.
Harlan has a special relationship with the children, parents and teachers, who all call her Ms. Cheryl. “Family is very important to her and she treats everyone here just like family,” says Ms. Etta, the Center's secretary and Ms. Cheryl’s right arm.
PHOTO BY DIAN COOPER / MPW.60