DIVA Princess Party 2011

Last week was our 2nd annual DIVA Princess Opening Day Party.  Kristen and I were so excited to have 15 girls come.  This year we are not only having the regular program but we will be having a DIVA Leaders program for girls who stand out and want to learn on a more intense level! We are really excited about DIVA Leaders and excited for the coming year.

Kristen Explaining the Program to the Girls

Candy Buffet for Party Favors

Team Building Games

No More Homework Help!

This year we have decided NOT to do our Homework Help program.  Why?...you might ask.  That is CRAZY!...you might say.  Well let me tell you why.  

Westlawn Gospel Chapel and our Youth Center (and my house) are conveniently located across the street from Crown Community Academy.  For many years now, we have had a great relationship with Crown.  Shannon, one of our staff members has tutored there for almost 15 years and the teachers and principle promote our programs and believe in what we do.  

On Tuesdays and Thursdays last year we had our Homework Help program.  The kids would come right after school, we would help them with their homework and work on educational skills.  We believed the program to be a great success but at the end of the year when we asked ourselves "Are we doing what is most effective?"  Our answer was "No."

We came to the realization that though it helped the small group of kids that came to our program, we could have a wider reach and it would help more if we were actually IN the school. This way we would not only help the kids, but also help the teachers who spend all day in a classroom working with the kids.

This year we are happy to say that we as a staff have scheduled hours to go into the school to tutor, aide in the class room, and help supervise during lunch and recess.  (We will continue to have our Open Gym program this year where the kids are welcome to get help on their homework if they would like to.)

I began in the school this week and was already greatly blessed by my time there.  I have the pleasure of working with Mrs. H's 3rd grade class for 3 hours, 2 days a week.  She has already expressed to me how helpful it will be to her to have someone in the class to help her.  She is a WONDERFUL teacher and I am very excited to be spending time with her and her class this year! (Plus I am pretty sure I am going to learn some things along the way.)

View of Crown Community Academy from my front porch...yes I am that close.

I started going to Crown Academy to volunteer in a class room twice a week. Today I helped prepare the science lesson.

Fall Programs Start!

Well it has been a while since I have had a post. Sorry! But...our school year programs started last night with Jr. High Club.  Last year we had an average of about 12 kids attending. Last night we had 29 kids show up!  It was WAY more then we were expecting but we were SO EXCITED for the turn out!

Shannon talking introducing the program to the group

It was a great night! We had snacks, played minute to win it games, introduced the program and rules and had open gym time.  Normally we will have a lesson and small group time but last night was an introduction to the program.  Be Praying that the Jr. Highers continue to come and that we are able to have an effective ministry with them!

Minute-to-Win-It Game!