Meet Jennifer Harrington, Program Coordinator

I was raised on a cattle ranch in Montana, where I lived until I left for college at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. I graduated from UNL in August 2007 with a degree in psychology and a minor in education. I plan to attend graduate school next fall to obtain a Ph.D in clinical psychology. I would like to work with children who have been abused and neglected.

In my spare time I like reading, painting, running, going to movies, and spending time with family and friends. I am currently involved in post-graduate research for the pyschology department at UNL. I am also actively involved at my church; I volunteer as a leader for the high school youth group and have had the opportunity to participate in a mission trip to Haiti over the summer as part of our missions team.

Kids' Enthusiasm Grows

By Jennifer Harrington

As the first session draws to a close I look back with fondness over the last nine weeks. I feel blessed to have had the opportunity to interact with each student at the ILC. It was exciting to watch the kids bond with each other as well as with the teachers. I feel like I had the chance to get to know each student fairly well, and I enjoyed visiting with them about school, sports, friends, etc.

As the Program Coordinator I had the unique opportunity to observe each student in the various aspects of the program. I hung out with the kids and played games with them when they first arrived and monitored them while they had snack. After the students were in their classrooms, I got to pop in and out and observe the lessons. At times I acted as a listener for the older students as they worked to master stories, while other times I was a reader for the younger students during free reading time. Often I observed the students as they interacted with adult volunteers from the community.

It was exciting to watch the students' enthusiasm for reading grow as the weeks wore on. As they learned new techniques for reading and comprehension, I could see their confidence increase. I feel certain that every kid at the ILC has been greatly benefited and that they have been set on the right path to achieve academic success, which will help them use the strengths God has given them to improve their world.

Seeing Progress

By Jennifer Harrington

I recently came on staff with City Impact as the ILC Program Coordinator. Although I have been with the ILC less than a month, I have already been so blessed by my short time here. Each day I can see God at work in the hearts of both the children who attend and the adults who are there to teach them. The smiles and laughter of the students remain in my mind long after we have all gone home for the night, and their hugs bring a smile to my face even on the worst days.

I have been blessed by my interactions with my coworkers. They are incredible, beautiful men and women who have welcomed me and helped me transition into the position. I can see their love for children in the gentle way they interact with the students, and I can see their desire to follow Christ in the love that flows freely from them.

I have been encouraged by the success that City Impact has seen in the past, and I firmly believe that we are making a difference in these children’s lives. I am excited about the progress that the students are making in their reading skills as well as the opportunity we are creating for them to have positive interactions with adults and with each other. The combination of these is setting the students on a path of success for the future.