Taking the Plunge

by Bethany Larson

The overcast clouds and cooler temperatures didn’t damper another field trip day. While the boys bowled strikes at Sun Valley Lanes, the girls dove into the pool.

Some of the girls really enjoyed swimming and could swim well, while others were a little more timid. First grader Amara did not know how to swim, but that did not stop her eagerness to slip down the slide or jump off the diving board. Most of the time she made sure to have a teacher to catch her as she plunged into the water. In the beginning, Amara would jump into Miss Ashley’s, plugging her nose. But as she got more comfortable she became less fearless. She would jump of the diving board and emerge from the water, gasping for breath. She then “swam” to nearby teacher that would pull her to the side. Even towards the end of our time, the other girls were cheering her on and helping her get to the sides of the pool after she jumped in. It was a day, even without the sun.

Picture This

Showing off his Picasso side, fifth grader Askia decorates his picture frame. Students used various sponges, brushes and colors to paint a wooden picture frame in arts and crafts today. Some enjoyed mixing colors to create a unique look. While other students labeled theirs “KAA” to put pictures from Kids Across America Camp they attended last week. In lieu of the messy hands and tables, the frames turned out great and are ready for some summer snapshots.

City Impact at KAA Camp

by Andrea Frank

This is the week 29 City Impact kids and leaders are at Kids Across America (KAA) Camp in Missouri. The group left on the 17th and will return this Sunday, June 24th. From updates throughout the week, it sounds as though the kids are having a great time experiencing new things like tubing and water skiing as well as deepening their walk with God.

Please continue to lift the group up in prayer as they finish their week and head back to the city. The re-entry into home life can be rough after a week away, so your prayers are greatly appreciated! KAA is one of the few places where the kids feel free enough to shed inhibitions and open up as counselors and other camp staff support and encourage them.

Day of Silly and Splashes

As the temperatures crept up today, summer program students got a chance to cool down on their field trip. The boys were ecstatic to jump into the pool and were blessed with a nice hot day with no rain!

The girls headed downtown to Paint Yourself Silly. Many artists emerged as the girls designed their flowerpots. Afterward we stopped at Ivanna Cone for some yummy ice cream. There is nothing better on a summer day than swimming and ice cream, especially at summer program!

Summer's Here!

Put on your flip flops and sunglasses, summer is officially underway for City Impact programs. This was the first week for both Teen Job Club and the elementary Impact Learning Center. In the morning, Job Club meets Monday thru Thursday. Job Club consists of older students (Grades 6-7) who will learn characteristics of being a good employee, how to handle money, and how to use strengths to make an impact in their community. Students will also get the opportunity to interview successful business men and women.

Younger students (grades 1-5) meet Monday thru Wednesday in the afternoon. Students will engage in fun workshops including Drama, Arts and Crafts, and Recreation. Students will also go on a weekly fun-filled field trip.

Along with the fun things planned for both programs, we are excited about the relationships being built with students that will positively impact them this summer. Keep posted on events and stories as the summer continues by visiting our blog on a regular basis.

Some More REAL Improvment!

by Bethany Larson

I had the opportunity to talk with a couple of ILC student’s parents/guardians at the family picnic City Impact hosted.

“How is Mickela doing?” her grandmother asked.

Mickela was a student that staff member, Miriam had tutored for a semester last year. Over the past year, Miriam has tracked Mickela’s improvement.

“The first time I read with Mickela was over a year ago, when we were just planning for the Impact Learning Center. She was hardly able to read a couple of words back then. She struggled greatly and her confidence was non-existent. Reading with Mickela now was very encouraging! She was breezing through stories and was reading with a very descriptive voice. I could hear the excitement in her voice when she knew she had mastered a story. When she approaches a new story, she does not get discouraged when she is unable to read a word or two. Instead, she writes down the new word on a sticky note and puts it at the front of her binder. The next week she comes back to review those words. She is so confident now and it is a joy to see how far she has come!”

Since the Impact Learning Center has started, Mickela has now been receiving reading tutoring a couple times a week. This has allowed for about ten sessions this semester.

I told her grandma that she had improved greatly since last year. I was curious if she had noticed a difference. Her grandma told me that she doesn’t get to read with Mickela that often, but one day she noticed Mickela had picked up a book and started reading aloud, something she had rarely done before. She informed me that she was very close to graduating from her reading program at school, which meant that she was up to her expected grade-level. How exciting!

Talking to a couple other parents and Miriam, Reading Tutoring Coordinator, it is evident that students receiving tutoring once or twice a week are rapidly improving the reading-grade level. And what’s more is that the students love to read. A peek into the Read Room will show you that. Students are reading aloud to their peers and interacting in conversations about the books they read.

ILC's Library Grows

by Bethany Larson

Having been at the ILC before, Arlin Yrastorza and her three children, Grace, Jamie and John were immediately recognized by the first and second graders. They had been guest readers earlier this year. But their visit on Tuesday was a special trip.

When Arlin and her family first came to read at the ILC, they enjoyed reading to the kids. They also noticed that the ILC’s library could grow and especially could use more non-fiction literature. So Arlin and her friend Kris Pollock decided to get their friends together and throw a party. To attend the party, guests had to bring a book.

“It was a fun way to get friends together, and to help the ILC out as well,” Arlin said.

Arlin, Grace, Jamie and John came with two tubs full of mostly non-fiction books. With books about sharks, soccer and weather, all the kids were quickly engulfed in the new books. They also got to enjoy listening to Grace and Jamie read aloud to them.

So thanks to Arlin, Kris and their families and friends, the ILC’s library has grown, and has empowered ILC students by putting literature in the hands of learning readers.

A Child's Prayer

by Jenna Gerstenschlager

"Ok, who wants to pray this week?" says Miss Anna. It's team time in the 1st and 2nd grade room. Almost every child eagerly raises his or her hand. I remember back to when the program first started and no one raised his hand. It was always Anna or I who prayed. Now, everyone wants to make sure they each get a turn.

Some of the kids act nervous when they are praying aloud in front of the class. For others it's a breeze. Yet in every prayer I am amazed with the things the kids bring to the Lord. "Please help us be safe," they say. "Help us have a good day." Most of all, I am amazed by their thankfulness. "Thank you for the snack we had, Thank you for Miss Anna and Miss Jenna, Thank you for this day." I am touched by their thoughtfulness and inspired by their words. Further, I am challenged in my own prayer life.

How often do I sit down and simply thank the Lord for the food He's given me, the people He's put in my life, and for each and every day that I'm alive?

"...Through Christ Who Gives Me Strength"

by Bethany Larson

I got the chance to sit in the R.E.A.L room last week while Miss Miriam was gone. I found myself sitting and listening to the hum of the students reading with their tutors, observing how both the students and the tutors engaged in the stories . All of them were diligently following along.

As I eavesdropped on the tutor and student pair sitting closest to me, I heard., “You can do all things through Christ who strengthens you.” This had been spoken by Marlenia, tutor of first grader Amara.

Marlenia went on to explain to Amara how Christ can help us through all things, even mastering a difficult story. Marlenia used this prime opportunity of Amara being discouraged about not mastering a story to remind her of God’s love for her.

Marlenia is high school student that volunteers at the ILC a couple times a week as a tutor in the R.E.A.L room and a book buddy in the Read room.

“The most important thing about volunteering for me is not only being a role model for the kids, but being a friend to them as well,” said Marlenia.

The Impact Learning Center has many goals for students as readers. We want them to become better readers and develop a passion for reading. Yet, the primary goal is to still love children and show God’s love for them. Thanks to dedicated staff and volunteers like Marlenia, we are accomplishing all of these goals!