FeedsGroup aims to assist schools year-round
The weeks that precede September are usually fraught with all things back-to-school.
Keeping students – especially vulnerable ones who may not have a typical support structure in place – in mind, one church is trying to help students tap into assistance not only before school, but year-round.
Christ Temple – City of Refuge on Carlysle Street hosted an event to provide the community with information about how to urge teens not to drink alcohol and to provide free school supplies to children on Friday, but the event was a part of an overall approach to help youth in the city.
The response has been overwhelmingly positive, said Jean Overman, who oversees the church outreach program.
“This event was sponsored by the Prevention Network,” she said. “But we have all sorts of programs in place to help children –and their parents.”
Overly-stressed
The number of single family households, coupled with the economy, has taken a toll on parents in all cities, but because Inkster has a significant number of people who live at or above the poverty line, the problem is a little more pronounced, said Overman.
“The economy is the biggest factor,” she said. “It’s really bad for a lot of people right now. We’re more than happy to step in.”
And step in, they have.
Christ Temple has assembled several members of the nearly 150-membership to work with students of all ages as part of Operation Refuge.
The Rev. T.C. Barnes, who has helmed the church for two years, said outreach was a major part of his overall vision for the church.
“We have a number of qualified individuals that can help students,” he said. “We have several teachers . . . . and the most important part of the program is that it’s free of charge, so there’s really no downside for parents.”
Learning is a component
A key part of the outreach program is that parents can drop their children off at the church, where volunteers instructors and other interested parishioners help students with homework, and provide supplemental instruction.
The church has partnered with Inkster Public Schools to make sure that the supplemental activities are commiserate with what students are studying in the classroom, Overman said.
Right now, the church is organizing a parent network to keep parents in the loop about education.
“The more parents that get involved with the network, the better, Barnes said. “We have about 15 to 30 parents that meet with us, but we’d like to see that go up to about 50 to 80.”
Other partnerships have made differing services available that involve students, Overman said. The students who take part in the program are currently maintaining a garden near Irene Street in an effort to learn more about the essential function and beauty of plant life.
“The children have responded well to the garden, mostly because it’s something new,” Overman said. “Here, children get to do things that they may have never done before.”
Children, families hopeful
Ernee Cornelius, an Inkster resident who bring her niece Ashley, 16, and nephew Cameron, 14, to the church, said she’s pleased with the programs.
“The fact that they can offer all of this free of charge is beyond words,” she said. “They get all of the help that they need, and it brings home how important it is to give back.”
Emani Miner, 11, and Leann Reynolds, 10, both attend Inkster Schools, and are regulars at the church.
“I like coming here because I learn a lot, and its fun,” said Miner.
For lifelong Inkster resident Overman – who recently accepted a buyout from Ford Motor Co., where she worked for 20 years at the Wayne Assembly facility – the church program helps her answer what she feels is a calling.
“It’s great to be able to help people in the community,” she said.
