We had our Benton office Grand Opening January 28, 2011.  We served refreshments, had program information to share and simply enjoyed each other's company. 

The office is a free-standing rock-faced rental building.  It's a nice location at 903 Newcomb.  Newcomb is off of Alcoa Road, a major thoroughfare in Benton.  The office is about 800 square feet, but that is perfect for our fledgling program purposes.  We need a place small enough to be comfortable and big enough to do tutor workshops and meetings. 

Our first workshop was on December 21, 2010. We're putting up posters to advertise for more volunteer tutors.  October 1, 2011 we will have a new AmeriCorps who will be placed in the office part time.  Vandana is our marvelous administrative volunteer who has worked the office three days a week since the grand opening.  We have a small student waiting list.  We will recruit more tutors and hold a workshop in the Saline County area as soon as possible.  We must "get out there" to do presentations and advertise with local media.  We want to come speak to your group about the services we provide.   
 
There is a large Formica desk complex in the first room.  It has become the main work area holding a computer and library materials.  Since the rental was empty, Arkansas Marketing and Redistribution (M & R in Little Rock) has been a great resource to buy needed state surplus furniture and goods.  We bought dry erase boards/easels for training/tutoring, tables, chairs and more.   
 
We're really excited to be working in Saline County.  Our Benton office number is (501)778-READ (7323).  With local resources backing us, we look forward to the impact we can make serving the Saline County area.