Paraclete is a young (est. 1997) educational enrichment center for South Boston middle school youth during out-of-school hours, from 3-9 p.m. (parakletos is Greek, meaning someone called to one's aid, a helper). Located in a former convent within walking distance of South Boston's three large housing developments, it provides a rigorous academic program (Spanish, Latin, math and "evening study") to help prepare students to excel in high school. Its teachers are dedicated volunteers who use intellectually challenging, hands-on projects, with strong emphases on computer technology and family involvement. In 2003, over 100 students took part in Paraclete's programs, producing their own journals and webpages, developing a hydroponics garden, creating model airplanes based on their under-standing of aerodynamics and weather conditions, and constructing bridges and robots based on engineering principles. The Center also provides field trips to enrich in-school projects with "real world" experiences, and conversations with adults who are experts in their fields, so that the students can begin to see themselves in these kinds of careers. And all this is adding up to success -- for example, teams have taken home three awards in state robotics competitions and math and reading scores have improved. It's time for you to be a helper, too.