Posted by Little Lights Urban Ministries at 09:48 AM
We closed out Boys’ & Girls’ Night with a game of Jeopardy. It was our second time holding the Jeopardy Challenge but this year we decided to switch things up a bit. Instead of having the boys and girls compete against each other, they formed one team and competed against Mr. Steve and Mr. Jonny. The students had a slight advantage because the questions were based on Bible stories they’d been learning about all semester. It was a lot of fun for everyone involved and in the end the middle school students reigned victorious with a final score of 881 to 360!
Posted by Little Lights Urban Ministries at 10:38 AM
My first impressions of Little Lights when I returned after a 6-month absence:
I first noticed many program improvements. There was a visual reinforcement chart where homework tutors could give their students stickers/points for focused work. Each child in Reading Heroes and his/her tutor had the same place to work each week. The Bible verses the children were learning were shorter and more in line with a child’s ability to learn them. But more importantly, these verses talked about God’s love and care and about the hope that comes with faith. All changes were helpful and all indicated that Little Lights is a dynamic program, ever working to serve the children better in carrying out God’s will for them.
It’s wonderful to see how my friend Ronald, in Reading Heroes can now name and say the sounds for so many more letters and how he now identifies sight words. Improvement in his confidence is obvious!
- Nancy Harlan, Elementary Reading Hero & LL Board Member
Posted by Little Lights Urban Ministries at 01:51 PM
We are so grateful to receive a grant this summer that allows us to hire 25 teen interns for our summer programs!! As word poured out, the applications poured in. We have already interviewed almost 50 candidates anywhere from ages 14-25. For many of our younger applicants, this was their first job interview. Through sweaty palms, nervous laughter, and stumbled words, our interview process has been a great learning experience for them. Many of our older applicants used to participate in Little Lights programs when they were younger. It was great to see them looking for an opportunity to give back. The selection process will not be an easy one, but it is great to see so much motivation from our youth.
Posted by Little Lights Urban Ministries at 08:37 AM
Little Lights is excited to share that on April 17, 2012, The Volunteer Engagement Stars report was released by the Center for Nonprofit Advancement and Volunteer Frontier. In this report, Little Lights is one of nine non-profits highlighted for their work and success engaging with volunteers. The report also discusses “. . . how these organizations leveraged the time, talent and treasures of volunteers to produce thousands of dollars in savings.” We are really thankful to be recognized in such a way and hope our model for working with volunteers can encourage other non-profits who are considering adding volunteers to their workforce.
Little Lights currently has 140 volunteers who serve on a weekly or monthly basis. These volunteers serve at tutors, mentors, art and music teachers, administrative helpers, and much more! Many one time volunteers will also assist with special events and our Summer Lights camp. At the end of 2011 more than 500 volunteers gave their time and resources to invest in the lives of Little Lights families.
