My own experience demonstrates the value of such facilities. Both my husband and I work full time jobs and are not home when our two sons finish school. This is not a problem, though, as both of our children go directly to a local community center when their classes are over. Our eldest son participates in a computer club there, while our youngest son practices photography. Their participation in these programs sets my mind at ease, as without access to the community center they would spend this time home alone or perhaps walking the streets. This situation compares favorably to a friend of mine who lives in a small town and is forced to hire an expensive babysitter to watch her children when they get home from school, as there are no meaningful activities for them to engage in when their classes finish.