We're thrilled with all of the interest and support shown for our Kids Hope USA outreach to children from J.T. Stevens Elementary School. In the Kids Hope mission, adult volunteer mentors are paired one-on-one with at-risk children. One hour a week (during the regular school schedule) is all it takes to make a substantial impact on the life of a kid.
Our first new mentor training session for the upcoming 2014-2015 school year happened earlier in July. A second session is planned for Thursday, July 31 from 1:00-5:00 p.m. in Room 225. Both men and women are encouraged to get involved as mentors in this life changing program.
If God has been tugging at your heart to become involved, prayerfully consider that call and contact either Laurie Ryan or Shirley Watkins to join the team.
Also, we're hosting our Third Annual “Back-to-School Shop & Party” event for the J.T. Stevens kids on Saturday, August 2 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. in the Family Life Center. This event allows us to provide school uniforms, backpacks, and school supplies for the kids in a festive atmosphere. The children can also visit an eye doctor and a dentist. The festivities include games, crafts, and a waffles. This event provides yet another opportunity for Arborlawn members to turn out and demonstrate our hospitality to the kids and their families. Contact Shirley or Laurie if you want to help with the party.
See what being a mentor is like by watching the Kids Hope video from last winter that was a part of the “Love God, Serve the City” series. Kim Cordell shared an awakening moment with her Kids Hope child. Due to a jewelry mishap on mentoring day, Kim ended up wearing a necklace with a cross on it. Her child questioned her about the necklace and an amazing connection was made - he discovered that they were indeed alike. This opened the door of trust and hope between the two. Here's that video:
At J. T. Stevens Elementary, we serve children who are desperately in need of a caring adult to spend some time with them — one hour a week. Their stories and backgrounds are varied, but the common thread is that they each need one special someone to listen, encourage, challenge, and understand. We cannot always see the difference we are making in their lives, but we know we are planting seeds of love and hope.
Join us! Please contact Shirley Watkins or Laurie Ryan.
# # #
ArborlawnUMC.org