Books needed! Please help.
This summer Horne UMC is beginning a partnership with Cooper Elementary School. Thus far, many of you have signed up to be volunteers to provide literacy and math enrichment skills to twenty kindergarten and first grade students. However, we also need children's books to use this summer—kindergarten, first, and second grade reading level. At the end of our summer program, we want to give each child a book to take home. If we have surplus books donated, we will put them in the children's section of our Horne Library. Please consider donating a children's book for this project and consider donating it in memory or honor of a family member or friend by writing a note inside the front cover. Books can be placed in the box labeled COOPER CONNECTIONS in the basement. Thanks so much for your kind and loving support of children's literacy and the beginning of a loving partnership with children and families in our community.
Horne Memorial UMC in partnership with Cooper Elementary School seeks to help children be successful scholars. Our first initiative is a summer enrichment program named Learning Lab. Learning Lab provides individualized attention to build the academic skills necessary for school success. The program serves kindergarten and first grade students from Cooper Elementary. The staff at Cooper will identify and invite the children to participate. They will also provide instructional materials. We at Horne will provide transportation for those who need it, tutors, snacks, and supplies.
In order to provide this summer program, we are looking for volunteers that are high school age and older who have a heart for young children and a desire to help them build the skills for success in school and in life. Except for our Learning Leaders, no educational training or experience is required. Look through the list of volunteer roles below to see where you might like to serve in this outreach ministry.
Volunteer Roles for Learning Lab
Learning Lab Leaders--These persons have an education background, gift of teaching, and desire to work with young children. They will form our core group of teachers that will be responsible for planning, preparing for, and leading the weekly session. They will work either individually or in small groups with the children and provide guidance to the Learning Buddies.
Learning Lab Buddies--These persons will be at least high school age and have the desire and gifts to connect with young children. They will work either individually or in small groups with the children as directed by the Learning Leaders.
Snack Coordinators--These persons have the gifts of hospitality, planning, and organizing. They will plan and provide a healthy, substantial snack for the children each week. They will be responsible for either purchasing snacks or coordinating donations of snack items with individuals and groups in the congregation. These persons do not need to be here on Wednesdays as long as the snack and instructions for the snack are here.
Snack Helpers--These persons have the gift of hospitality and enjoy being with children. They will set-up, serve, and clean-up the weekly snack.
Recreation Coordinators--These persons have the gift of planning creative and fun games. They will plan and lead the weekly recreation time.
Recreation Helpers--These persons have the gift of energy and physical activity, and they enjoy being with children. They will participate with the children and assist the recreation coordinator with planned activities.
Transportation Coordinators--These persons have the gift of organizing and planning for transportation. They will be the contact person for parents who need help transporting their children to and from Learning Lab. They will be responsible for checking on van availability, providing alternate transportation plans as needed, establishing pick-up and drop-off locations, route, and times.
Van Drivers--These persons must be at least 21 years old, safe drivers with a valid driver's license, have the gift of hospitality, and enjoy being with children. They will be responsible for safely transporting the children to and from Learning Lab each week. They will know the designated pick-up and drop-off locations, establish and enforce behavior guidelines with the chaperone, and be responsible for filling the gas tank after each week's use.
Van Chaperones--These persons have the gift of hospitality and enjoy being with children. They will accompany the driver in safely transporting the children to/from Learning Lab. They will know the designated pick-up and drop-off locations, establish and enforce behavior guidelines with the van driver, and be responsible for child safety seats and their proper use and storage.
Ready to volunteer? Questions? Contact Pastor Joyce joyce(at)horneumc.net
