“I’m so happy because, well, I love crafts! I love to do the things like making bird houses, you know? and cards and even the persuasive letters. I love the persuasive letters!” The enthusiasm in 10-year old Anna Karen’s eyes that belied her shy posture was reflected in the comments made by several of the other girls who will be participating in a special summer program at Joy Fellowship Center as headed up by program coordinator, Amanda Wilkinson. “We were having difficulties with keeping our 10-year olds involved, especially the girls, when they transition into the pre-teens group after turning 11 because they think that they won’t know anyone and because it’s much smaller than the large group setting they are used to,” Wilkinson noted. With the help of a faithful volunteer, Wilkinson will be overseeing a 7-week summer program that is intended to promote, instruct and support the creativity and self-expression of those moving up from the kids’ club into the pre-teens in the fall. The lengthier amount of one-on-one time will also provide Wilkinson and fellow helpers ample mentoring opportunities by better understanding and speaking into the issues the youth interact with on a daily basis. And, thanks to the hard work of last year’s spring break group as well as the Vocational Beginner’s School group, the students will be able to meet in freshly painted classrooms with new tables and chairs received from a recent donation.
“It’s going to be great,” Estella, another one of the summer participants, shared with me, “because we’re going to have a lot of fun doing crafts and spending time with Miss Amanda. Usually in the summer, I just watch TV and play outside so… this is pretty different. It’s going to be great!”
Your support is welcomed in the form of donated arts and crafts supplies, including:
- acrylic paint
- small and large bristle brushes
- 20 small, unpainted and unvarnished wooden bird houses
- 20 small, unpainted and unvarnished wooden hanging frames
- small individual canvases
- one large banner canvas
- colorful Sharpies
- 1 tie-dye kit
- rubbing alcohol
- ankle socks
- disposable cookie sheets
- one large roll of butcher paper
For more information about donating art supplies or about other ways to support this unique and meaningful investment in the lives of our 10-year old boys and girls at Joy Fellowship Center, contact Amanda@missioncenters.org.
