by Merry Van Deusen, member at Holy Trinity
The most exciting thing we are currently working on and just getting ready to implement is a volunteer effort by HTLC members in partnering with a local elementary school, Franklin Elementary. 16+ members of HTLC will be doing orientation on Monday the 26th and getting into the school by May 3 or sooner. The types of things we will be doing include tutoring children in math, reading, science; listening to children read; teacher assistance; playground supervision; yard, gardening and painting; sharing hobbies and crafts or teaching them. We feel that we can make a difference in a child’s life this last 6 weeks of the school year and then plan to start up again in the fall, with more volunteers and commit for the entire school year. The drop out rate in Port Angeles is actually higher than the national average of 30%. We hope we can make a difference with that. I feel such positive energy about this from those participating, and hopefully in the fall other congregations in our community can be encouraged to join the effort in the other elementary schools.
Our proudest advocacy moment – definitely I am pleased about the Advocacy workshop we did last fall. Though few in number, those attending were informed, pleased, and we made a few ‘converts’. I am also proud of our local advocacy groups’ interaction with our state legislators through the legislative season. A small poll was taken and most of the group had written or called more than once… and I know several were active weekly with those interactions.
Advocacy… is a work in progress, and worth all the efforts put forth.