Not long after the students trickle into the Middle Cross Church, a line of volunteers enter the building. These people are the most vital parts of our program as they are the ones that essentially keeping it running and have made it the success it has become. During the course of a typical day there are two tutoring sessions that happen, each forty-five minutes long. Just a few months ago the ILC R.E.A.L. room had a mere four stations set up for tutoring on a daily basis. This quarter, however, up to eight students receive tutoring at a time, with anywhere between nine to fifteen students receiving one-on-one tutoring every day. This quarter there was an incredible increase of the number of voluneers helping at the ILC either as a book buddy or tutor, up from 33 people to currently 48. What a testimony of God's graciousness as he continues to provide for our needs. I only look forward to what the Lord has planned for this program in the upcoming weeks, months, and years.
12.11.2007
The Impact Learning Center is Expanding
By Jenna Gerstenschlager
Not long after the students trickle into the Middle Cross Church, a line of volunteers enter the building. These people are the most vital parts of our program as they are the ones that essentially keeping it running and have made it the success it has become. During the course of a typical day there are two tutoring sessions that happen, each forty-five minutes long. Just a few months ago the ILC R.E.A.L. room had a mere four stations set up for tutoring on a daily basis. This quarter, however, up to eight students receive tutoring at a time, with anywhere between nine to fifteen students receiving one-on-one tutoring every day. This quarter there was an incredible increase of the number of voluneers helping at the ILC either as a book buddy or tutor, up from 33 people to currently 48. What a testimony of God's graciousness as he continues to provide for our needs. I only look forward to what the Lord has planned for this program in the upcoming weeks, months, and years.
Not long after the students trickle into the Middle Cross Church, a line of volunteers enter the building. These people are the most vital parts of our program as they are the ones that essentially keeping it running and have made it the success it has become. During the course of a typical day there are two tutoring sessions that happen, each forty-five minutes long. Just a few months ago the ILC R.E.A.L. room had a mere four stations set up for tutoring on a daily basis. This quarter, however, up to eight students receive tutoring at a time, with anywhere between nine to fifteen students receiving one-on-one tutoring every day. This quarter there was an incredible increase of the number of voluneers helping at the ILC either as a book buddy or tutor, up from 33 people to currently 48. What a testimony of God's graciousness as he continues to provide for our needs. I only look forward to what the Lord has planned for this program in the upcoming weeks, months, and years.
12.06.2007
The ILC gets a visit from the queen!
By Anna Zach
What? The queen? Yes, that is Miss Pre-Teen Queen of Nebraska. This week our kids had a visit from Hannah Duncan- who is Miss Pre-Teen of Nebraska. The kids were so excited to meet her – and to see that crown. After an introduction everyone had the chance to ask her questions and the girls even got to try her crown on! They were really precious as they each had a special smile come over them when the crown was placed on their heads. The biggest blessing of all came as Hannah explained to them that part of her responsibility as the queen was to find a good home for some books that had been donated by all the pageant contestants – and that home would be at our very own ILC. The kids took some time to look over the many books she donated and spent some time reading and investigating their new treasures. Thank you Hannah for being such a blessing to the ILC!!!
Students Zodell, Ian, and Sophia take a peek at their new books which include stories of funny characters, books with interesting animal facts, and chapter books for the older kids.
Sophia smiles like a queen while trying on Hannah's crown and sash.
What? The queen? Yes, that is Miss Pre-Teen Queen of Nebraska. This week our kids had a visit from Hannah Duncan- who is Miss Pre-Teen of Nebraska. The kids were so excited to meet her – and to see that crown. After an introduction everyone had the chance to ask her questions and the girls even got to try her crown on! They were really precious as they each had a special smile come over them when the crown was placed on their heads. The biggest blessing of all came as Hannah explained to them that part of her responsibility as the queen was to find a good home for some books that had been donated by all the pageant contestants – and that home would be at our very own ILC. The kids took some time to look over the many books she donated and spent some time reading and investigating their new treasures. Thank you Hannah for being such a blessing to the ILC!!!
Students Zodell, Ian, and Sophia take a peek at their new books which include stories of funny characters, books with interesting animal facts, and chapter books for the older kids.
Sophia smiles like a queen while trying on Hannah's crown and sash.
12.05.2007
Making connections
By Jami Spaulding
Lately, I've been really excited to hear the kids make connections between the ILC and Bible Club. It first started with them using the SOS method to change their own behavior. One day someone was acting crazy and another student said, "Hey, SOS, remember?" The kids then reminded the student what it meant and that chosing to do what is right is like chosing to act like Jesus. It was cool to see them own it and apply it in a different situation outside of Bible Club Tuesday nights.
Last week, the kids were really into the Bible Club lesson. We've been talking about Christmas Schema during reading time and ever since last Wednesday all the kids have had daily connections to the books we were reading and with what they had done at Bible Club. I get so excited when the kids are excited about the lesson and able to use them in other contexts. I'm praying that the more they talk about them, the more natural it will become for them to use these ideas to make better choices and ultimately to give their lives to Jesus. What fun to be a part of this process with them!
Lately, I've been really excited to hear the kids make connections between the ILC and Bible Club. It first started with them using the SOS method to change their own behavior. One day someone was acting crazy and another student said, "Hey, SOS, remember?" The kids then reminded the student what it meant and that chosing to do what is right is like chosing to act like Jesus. It was cool to see them own it and apply it in a different situation outside of Bible Club Tuesday nights.
Last week, the kids were really into the Bible Club lesson. We've been talking about Christmas Schema during reading time and ever since last Wednesday all the kids have had daily connections to the books we were reading and with what they had done at Bible Club. I get so excited when the kids are excited about the lesson and able to use them in other contexts. I'm praying that the more they talk about them, the more natural it will become for them to use these ideas to make better choices and ultimately to give their lives to Jesus. What fun to be a part of this process with them!
11.29.2007
Meet Ashley Larson-Read room grades 4-5
By Ashley Larson
My name is Ashley Larson. Although I was born and raised in Lincoln, NE my eyes have been opened to a different side of our city over the past three years. Recently, I graduated from Nebraska Wesleyan University with a bachelors degree in social work. Throughout my life I have had the opportunity to be exposed to numerous urban communities through short-term missions with Jr. high and high school students. In college I did a three month internship with Urban Impact in New Orleans and my heart for urban youth and families was transformed. It took an experience one thousand miles away for me to really question what I was doing in my own community. Therefore, I decided to do my final internship with City Impact, right here in my hometown. God blessed me to serve at City Impact this summer with the Teen Job Club and the Summer Program and I was able to get to know many of the youth, of all ages, quickly.
This fall I came on staff as the Impact Learning Center’s 4th-5th grade R.E.A.L Room and Reading with Meaning Coordinator, in addition to leading the Jr. High Girls Teen Bible Club Classroom. I feel very humbled and fortunate to be working under such a great staff and for all that I have learned since coming on board at CI. My amazing husband, Mark, is a reading teacher and basketball coach at Lincoln High School and together we have loved seeing how God has intertwined our ministries over the past six months. I look forward to watching God transform more kids and families here in Lincoln as CI continues to reach out and strengthen our community.
My name is Ashley Larson. Although I was born and raised in Lincoln, NE my eyes have been opened to a different side of our city over the past three years. Recently, I graduated from Nebraska Wesleyan University with a bachelors degree in social work. Throughout my life I have had the opportunity to be exposed to numerous urban communities through short-term missions with Jr. high and high school students. In college I did a three month internship with Urban Impact in New Orleans and my heart for urban youth and families was transformed. It took an experience one thousand miles away for me to really question what I was doing in my own community. Therefore, I decided to do my final internship with City Impact, right here in my hometown. God blessed me to serve at City Impact this summer with the Teen Job Club and the Summer Program and I was able to get to know many of the youth, of all ages, quickly.This fall I came on staff as the Impact Learning Center’s 4th-5th grade R.E.A.L Room and Reading with Meaning Coordinator, in addition to leading the Jr. High Girls Teen Bible Club Classroom. I feel very humbled and fortunate to be working under such a great staff and for all that I have learned since coming on board at CI. My amazing husband, Mark, is a reading teacher and basketball coach at Lincoln High School and together we have loved seeing how God has intertwined our ministries over the past six months. I look forward to watching God transform more kids and families here in Lincoln as CI continues to reach out and strengthen our community.
11.26.2007
Becoming a Kingdom Kid
By Bethany Larson
What does a Kingdom Kid look and sound like? This is the question that City Impact students have been exploring in their Bible Club classes. We have learned that Kingdom Kids say encouraging words to one another like “Please” and “Thank you” and they forgive one another. They also listen when someone else is talking, perform random acts of kindness for one another and participate in all the activities we do.
Being a part of both Bible Club and the ILC programming, I get to observe a few students in two different atmospheres. Although the expectations for the students are the same for both Bible Club and ILC reading program, I am seeing the biblical, Christ-like behavior we are teaching in Bible Club carry over into the ILC. I am getting the chance, when talking about a student’s behavior, to ask the question, “Are you acting like a Kingdom Kid?”
A Kingdom Kid is a part of God’s heavenly family, and these students who understand that are not only worried about following the rules that are in place at Bible Club or ILC, but they are also concerned about acting in a way that would please their heavenly father. I find it much easier to explain the purpose of rules when that purpose is to represent Christ. I am glad to see the students are not only choosing to represent Christ at Bible Club, but the ILC and hopefully school and home as well. That helps motivate me to continue my purpose of glorifying God by teaching and encouraging these kids.
What does a Kingdom Kid look and sound like? This is the question that City Impact students have been exploring in their Bible Club classes. We have learned that Kingdom Kids say encouraging words to one another like “Please” and “Thank you” and they forgive one another. They also listen when someone else is talking, perform random acts of kindness for one another and participate in all the activities we do.
Being a part of both Bible Club and the ILC programming, I get to observe a few students in two different atmospheres. Although the expectations for the students are the same for both Bible Club and ILC reading program, I am seeing the biblical, Christ-like behavior we are teaching in Bible Club carry over into the ILC. I am getting the chance, when talking about a student’s behavior, to ask the question, “Are you acting like a Kingdom Kid?”
A Kingdom Kid is a part of God’s heavenly family, and these students who understand that are not only worried about following the rules that are in place at Bible Club or ILC, but they are also concerned about acting in a way that would please their heavenly father. I find it much easier to explain the purpose of rules when that purpose is to represent Christ. I am glad to see the students are not only choosing to represent Christ at Bible Club, but the ILC and hopefully school and home as well. That helps motivate me to continue my purpose of glorifying God by teaching and encouraging these kids.
11.13.2007
Meet Nathan Fries, Van Driver
By Nathan Fries
My name is Nathan Fries. My hometown is Dannebrog, NE (a little town 25 minutes Northwest of Grand Island). I am a student at UNL and majoring in Mechanical Engineering and plan to graduate in December 2009. I accepted Christ in March of 2004and have been on a wonderful ride ever since. I am the Van Driver for the ILC and Bible Club on Tuesday Nights.
My name is Nathan Fries. My hometown is Dannebrog, NE (a little town 25 minutes Northwest of Grand Island). I am a student at UNL and majoring in Mechanical Engineering and plan to graduate in December 2009. I accepted Christ in March of 2004and have been on a wonderful ride ever since. I am the Van Driver for the ILC and Bible Club on Tuesday Nights.
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.
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