Well folks, we made it through week one!
Our after school program picked up right where it left off. They were excited to be back and we were excited as well.
Things were a little different with the new schedule. Instead of having the students from 3-5 we only have them from 4:15-5:15. Since we only have them for an hour, we are alternating between Art and Homework. On Mondays and Wednesdays, I have the 6th and 7th graders for home work help. Typically the older group has less students that the younger group. That has not changed as of yet. We are still getting new students! Two new students started coming last week. We are anticipating a few more as well. It is exciting to see students try us out and then start coming regularly.
With the change we have been able to meet many siblings of the students. That has also been fun getting to see more and more into their lives. There is so much that goes into childhood and learning and it is fascinating getting to be apart of that with these awesome students.
There was one little boy who came every day last semester. His name is Luis. He is a fourth grader. He has not returned since the school day has been extended. He is funny and smart, but has trouble sitting still to do his homework. When he would come to our after school program he would have one-on-one attention. He was so much fun to have around. If you think about it, say a prayer for Luis. It is our desire that he succeed in school and if that is through our program great, but if it is not, then we pray that he will still be encouraged to do well in his studies.
Week one was good and tiring. It is good to be getting back into the groove of things.
I have mentioned before about how I needed to raise $2,ooo in support for this experience. God had been faithful to provide this far and I know that he will continue to provide. I am about four hundred dollars short of my goal. I know that these are tough times, but God provides for his children! I ask that you would prayerfully consider donating to this cause. If you do feel that God would have you to give, you can send the donation to 1111 N. Wells Suite 305, Chicago, IL 60610.
If you would like your donation to be applied to me please make a note somewhere on the donation. Thank you so much for you prayers and support! I could not do this without all of your support!
~jenny
Monday, January 10, 2011
Sunday, January 2, 2011
New Year's Resolution: Update More Often
First of all I want to start off by apologizing for not being more consistent with updates. All I have are excuses for why I haven't written more, so I will spare you that agony.
Okay, now that I have gotten that off my chest, I will up date you all as to what happened at the end of the year and let you know what is expected for the beginning of this year.
As many of you know, INTRSCT's after school program had some trouble getting off the ground at the beginning of the school year. We kept praying and God was faithful to hear us. We were all taught a little patience as we waited to hear what God had in store for us. When it was clear that the summer arrangements that had be made with a different school fell through, a door opened up at an indoor soccer facility. Our team did our best to get the word out to the community about the after school program that offers homework help and art classes. We had no students show up that first week. We were not discouraged, we knew it would take time. In an effort to get the word out, we gave information to the two elementary schools that were within walking distance to the soccer facility. One of the schools was the school that INTRSCT had previously been in contact with and had stopped responding to communication. The other school, however made copies of our fliers and sent them home with every student that was eligible. Through the course of a week, a meeting had been set up with the principal and our program was moving to that school. God had his hand on us the entire time. This is the first time in INTRSCT's history as an organization that they have been able to run their after school program directly from a Chicago Public School. This was a huge break through and one that only God could have orchestrated. From the beginning of November to the last week of school in December INTRSCT offered homework help and art classes to students ranging from fourth to seventh grade. To our surprise, we found out that the art class that INTRSCT offers is the only one in the school. There is no other art class besides what the teachers have time to teach, which sadly, is not that much.
It has been awesome to see how this relationship has formed with this public school and INTRSCT. The school embraced INTRSCT with open arms. It has been so much fun serving in such an accommodating environment. The school accepted us so much that we were able to attend with the teachers to a Christmas dinner. It has been great to see how God stays true to his Word by our prayers being answered in ways that are beyond our wildest dreams.
Needless to say, INTRSCT ended 2010 on a good note. Tomorrow we start again with some minor changes. In order for Walsh Elementary to raise their test scores, they are extending the school day. Last semester the school day was 9-3. Now the school day will be 9-4:15. Before the extended school day our after school program ran from 3-5. With the change, we will be running our program from 4:15-5:15. We are hoping this does not change the attendance of the students. That is one thing that we are praying about. We want the program to help as many students as possible, but with the extended day, some students may not be able to say that long. This is not stopping us. God has provided thus far, he will provide now.
This up date is fairly long. I wanted to give a brief over view of what happened last year and what we are expecting for this year. There are always surprises with any program, but we are trusting God for his perfect plan and timing.
As I stated earlier, I apologize for not updating more consistently. As part of the new year, my resolution is to update more often. This is an invitation to help keep me accountable. If I haven't updated in one week, please email me and tell me to get my act together :) (my email is jehann87@gmail.com)
Once again, thank you for all of your prayers and support. If you feel led to give financially to INTRSCT you can mail a check to 1111 N Wells St, Suit 305, Chicago, IL 60610.
Happy New Year!
~jenny
Okay, now that I have gotten that off my chest, I will up date you all as to what happened at the end of the year and let you know what is expected for the beginning of this year.
As many of you know, INTRSCT's after school program had some trouble getting off the ground at the beginning of the school year. We kept praying and God was faithful to hear us. We were all taught a little patience as we waited to hear what God had in store for us. When it was clear that the summer arrangements that had be made with a different school fell through, a door opened up at an indoor soccer facility. Our team did our best to get the word out to the community about the after school program that offers homework help and art classes. We had no students show up that first week. We were not discouraged, we knew it would take time. In an effort to get the word out, we gave information to the two elementary schools that were within walking distance to the soccer facility. One of the schools was the school that INTRSCT had previously been in contact with and had stopped responding to communication. The other school, however made copies of our fliers and sent them home with every student that was eligible. Through the course of a week, a meeting had been set up with the principal and our program was moving to that school. God had his hand on us the entire time. This is the first time in INTRSCT's history as an organization that they have been able to run their after school program directly from a Chicago Public School. This was a huge break through and one that only God could have orchestrated. From the beginning of November to the last week of school in December INTRSCT offered homework help and art classes to students ranging from fourth to seventh grade. To our surprise, we found out that the art class that INTRSCT offers is the only one in the school. There is no other art class besides what the teachers have time to teach, which sadly, is not that much.
It has been awesome to see how this relationship has formed with this public school and INTRSCT. The school embraced INTRSCT with open arms. It has been so much fun serving in such an accommodating environment. The school accepted us so much that we were able to attend with the teachers to a Christmas dinner. It has been great to see how God stays true to his Word by our prayers being answered in ways that are beyond our wildest dreams.
Needless to say, INTRSCT ended 2010 on a good note. Tomorrow we start again with some minor changes. In order for Walsh Elementary to raise their test scores, they are extending the school day. Last semester the school day was 9-3. Now the school day will be 9-4:15. Before the extended school day our after school program ran from 3-5. With the change, we will be running our program from 4:15-5:15. We are hoping this does not change the attendance of the students. That is one thing that we are praying about. We want the program to help as many students as possible, but with the extended day, some students may not be able to say that long. This is not stopping us. God has provided thus far, he will provide now.
This up date is fairly long. I wanted to give a brief over view of what happened last year and what we are expecting for this year. There are always surprises with any program, but we are trusting God for his perfect plan and timing.
As I stated earlier, I apologize for not updating more consistently. As part of the new year, my resolution is to update more often. This is an invitation to help keep me accountable. If I haven't updated in one week, please email me and tell me to get my act together :) (my email is jehann87@gmail.com)
Once again, thank you for all of your prayers and support. If you feel led to give financially to INTRSCT you can mail a check to 1111 N Wells St, Suit 305, Chicago, IL 60610.
Happy New Year!
~jenny
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