Key Points

• Children of the Valley is expanding its free after-school program in Skagit County, Washington, to serve more students with academic and personal support.
• A new classroom will help 15 additional students and create more focused learning by grade level.
• Community support, including a donation from Marathon Petroleum, is helping the nonprofit meet a major need for safe, affordable after-school care.

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Children of the Valley in Skagit County, Washington, is helping more students during the most critical hours of their day. The nonprofit’s free after-school program is creating spaces where students can grow academically and personally while families gain peace of mind.

“At Children of the Valley, we are committed to walking alongside families by providing a safe, reliable and enriching place for students after school,” said Executive Director Flora Lucatero. “We are not only supporting individual students. We are strengthening families and investing in the long-term well-being of our community.”

That commitment continues to expand. At its Burlington site, Children of the Valley recently added a new classroom, allowing 15 more students to join the program. The additional space also makes it possible to group students by grade level, creating more focused learning environments.

“The growth allows us to better meet students where they are,” Lucatero said. “Children can receive the attention, support and enrichment they deserve.”

The need for programs like this remains high. Many families in the region work long or nontraditional hours and lack access to affordable after-school care. Without consistent support, students can fall behind academically and miss out on critical opportunities to build confidence and resilience.

“Our program exists to meet a real gap during the after-school hours,” Lucatero said. “We provide a place where students feel safe, supported and motivated to succeed.”

Community supporters help make that impact possible. Marathon Petroleum’s Anacortes refinery recently supported the expansion and has provided annual grants to the organization for several years. In March, employees joined Children of the Valley to celebrate the new classroom, which now bears Marathon’s name.

“Marathon has been a valued supporter in helping us expand access and strengthen our program,” Lucatero said. “Their investment allows us to provide academic support and social-emotional care.”

For Marathon employees like Lead Routine Maintenance Planner Ted Cummings, the connection is personal. He and his family have volunteered with Children of the Valley for years.

“By supporting Children of the Valley, it shows the community we are more than a business,” Cummings said. “There is no better feeling than knowing that through our financial support, we are making a difference in someone’s life.”