Announcements

Every Summer Has a Story... Freedom School

At Charlotte's Freedom Schools, the children begin their day with a hot breakfast. They are the lucky ones.  Thousands of Charlotte’s children will not receive food this morning. The day gets better from there.  These children follow breakfast by participating in "harambee”, during which they transform into “scholars,” in this high energy, daily pep rally to get engaged and energized. Reading is the key that can unlock the door to children's dreams and unlimited potential.  Freedom Schools operate six to seven weeks, Monday – Friday, and work to build confidence and sense of self-worth in children while preventing summer learning loss.

Statistics show that a child who drops out of school is more likely to  suffer poor health, become incarcerated and become dependent on society. Summer learning loss is one of the most negative impacts on student achievement levels.  Without Freedom School programs, these students will lose 2-3 months of learning during each summer and spend precious time the following school year catching up.  A recent UNC-Charlotte study of Freedom School participants showed that not only did almost 30 percent maintain but 65 percent actually improved beyond the grade level they had achieved before the summer.

During the summer of 2012, Providence UMC and Bethlehem Center will help 50 of our neighbors become Freedom School scholars at Winterfield Elementary. Providence UMC will supply in-kind donations and volunteers to the program. Donations include snacks for scholars, school supplies, gifts for the interns who teach the scholars and food for the students over each weekend. Volunteer opportunities involve everything from being a harambee reader to conducting afternoon activities.  Look for the table in the atrium where each Sunday until May 28, we will have information and will be collecting school supplies.  You may also sign up for volunteer opportunities at the table or pick up a flyer with a list of needed supplies.  If you have any questions or would like to get more involved, please contact Gina and Tom Lawrence, or Carol Shinn.

Summer Fun at St. John's UMC

Would you feed a hungry child two meals a day if you could?  Providence UMC will do just that this summer at St. John's UMC!  We're making this hunger initiative fun, too, by providing six weeks of themed camps (art, VBS, water week, music, sports, and science) for summer enrichment. 

Here’s what we need to make this happen:  4 helpers from 9am – 12pm every day, artists (all types), musicians (all ages), 2 chefs to teach child-friendly recipes, musical instruments the children can try, beach towels for 20 children, and swimsuits (used or new – all sizes for children under 12).  Take your donations to the Missions Armoire located behind our sanctuary.  We need you!  Every day you can help makes a huge difference to these children in need.  Thanks to our youth for their commitment to this new ministry. 

Get involved! Contact Carol Shinn for more information.