"The Center of Empowerment"
One key component of G.R.A.C.E. Community Services is the Education Department which operates the "After-School-is-Key" Program at the Woodglen Apartments in Acres Homes. This after school program provides tutoring and homework assistance. It also operates a Computer Lab, called "The Center," to help enhance the learning skills of participating students and their parents. G.R.A.C.E. has also initiated mentoring programs for young boys and girls between the ages of 10-18 years: Men-2-Men and God Has D.I.V.A.'s, Too!
The G.R.A.C.E. Education Team has been extremely busy this year with numerous activities geared to encourage and empower children to excel. "God's Talent Show" emerged in March to highlight the talents of the kids of the Woodglen Apartments. All of the kids were excited and did a wonderful job presenting their gifts and talents before a "full house" of parents and supporters. In April, the team partnered with the Acres Homes Youth Coalition to host the "Spell-2-Excel" Spelling Bee. G.R.A.C.E. had several youth to participate in this event with two students winning 1st and 3rd place in their particular age group. And this summer, G.R.A.C.E. hosted a one-week summer camp called "Camp Noah," which is faith-based day camp offered for elementary-age children in grades K-6 who have been affected by a disaster.
Camp Noah promotes the principles of Noah's Ark to help kids learn how to be ready for any disaster. The Education Team and numerous volunteers helped the kids to further understand, as did Noah, that following God's plan is the most valuable key in the preparation for life. All week you could hear chants like, "I love Jesus, Yes I do.I love Jesus, How about You?," or "Clap It Up!!!" The excitement encountered at Camp Noah was truly contagious. Through their "Camp Noah" experience, the kids were able to: (1) build a realistic spirit of hope and optimism, (2) identify their own individual talents and skills, and (3) discover how to share their gifts with others. But most of all, Camp Noah served to increase each child's understanding that God loves them and will be with them throughout the immediate and long term changes caused by a disaster. Camp Noah averaged approximately 75 kids per day and ended with a big Finale Parade and Carnival!
G.R.A.C.E. continues to experience many successes and some of the greatest include watching the kids work through their feelings of devastation to see them emerging with hope for their future. As you will often hear when you call us, "Great Things Are Happening at G.R.A.C.E. Community Services," and the Education Department is just one facet of those many great things.
The Education Team provides the "after" component of the disaster relief that helps families put their lives back together after a disaster occurs. The Education Department is headed by Coach Alonzo Tibbs, a former middle school principal. Along with Coach Tibbs, are two dynamic young men, Coach Javodrick Warfield and Coach William Murphy, who give their all to the kids who have been entrusted into their care. The lone female on this team of innovators is the administrative assistant of the group, Mrs. Jacquelyn A. Williams (AKA Mrs. J). The team is doing great things on behalf of G.R.A.C.E., and is currently seeking grants and sponsorships to continue the work of the ministry! Through the generosity of its many partnerships and supporters, this team continues making history and preparing youth for a greater tomorrow!
