Increasing costs and decreasing financial resources are strapping schools for supplies. Many non-profits collect school supplies at this time of the year but through the school year thay they will continue to be stapped for the most precious commodity you have to offer: your time and energy.
Even if you can't afford to plan and implement one of the bigger, bolder ideas you see here, any contribution will have a profound effect. Simply offering to volunteer some of your time as a mentor or tutor will be a huge contribution.
Even if you can't afford to plan and implement one of the bigger, bolder ideas you see here, any contribution will have a profound effect. Simply offering to volunteer some of your time as a mentor or tutor will be a huge contribution.
Often times what kids really need is some one-on-one attention from an adult in this rapid, microwave-society that we live in today. Even if you don't have an expertise in a given content area, just being a caring adult is sometimes all that is needed. You don't have to be Smarter Than A Fifth Grader to serve one.
Most schools would love to have members of your church help out during ordinary daily programs if you can't offer help with some huge festivities on an important day. For instance, children love to be read to. If you are near an underprivledged school, you would be amazed at how this simple act that these kids are starved for will change lives.
Chances are if you had a normal upbringing, you were read to at night, if not on a constant basis. You may have lived in what experts call a literature rich setting.
Kids in urban schools do not get this for the most part. Just showing up during their reading times, if the school has them, will be a huge boost to their infrastructure. If they do not yet have some type of sustained silent reading program, help them with getting one started, even if it is on a small scale.
The idea here is to get inside the school and build rapport and trust. Find a need and fill it. Tackle the doable projects that you encounter. This could be as simple as sprucing up the entryway to the school with some quick landscaping or fresh paint. By getting into the school and getting shoulder to shoulder with the educators you will see their felt needs pretty quickly.
Our outreach department hosts a dinner for the teachers during parent conferences. It is easy to do. All it involves is taking the normal Sunday Church social or brunch on the road. Any investment of your time, energy and money will be greatly appreciated.
The economy is causing families with children to really feel the pinch. So are teachers and schools. Why not consider sponsoring a few kids, or classrooms if your budget can handle it, with books to read for sustained silent reading?
Most schools would love to have members of your church help out during ordinary daily programs if you can't offer help with some huge festivities on an important day. For instance, children love to be read to. If you are near an underprivledged school, you would be amazed at how this simple act that these kids are starved for will change lives.
Chances are if you had a normal upbringing, you were read to at night, if not on a constant basis. You may have lived in what experts call a literature rich setting.
Kids in urban schools do not get this for the most part. Just showing up during their reading times, if the school has them, will be a huge boost to their infrastructure. If they do not yet have some type of sustained silent reading program, help them with getting one started, even if it is on a small scale.
The idea here is to get inside the school and build rapport and trust. Find a need and fill it. Tackle the doable projects that you encounter. This could be as simple as sprucing up the entryway to the school with some quick landscaping or fresh paint. By getting into the school and getting shoulder to shoulder with the educators you will see their felt needs pretty quickly.
Our outreach department hosts a dinner for the teachers during parent conferences. It is easy to do. All it involves is taking the normal Sunday Church social or brunch on the road. Any investment of your time, energy and money will be greatly appreciated.
The economy is causing families with children to really feel the pinch. So are teachers and schools. Why not consider sponsoring a few kids, or classrooms if your budget can handle it, with books to read for sustained silent reading?
Your church has tremendous resources sitting in the pews that can be tapped simply by asking. Become a difference maker in your community. Invest in your local school.
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