Tag Archives: education

Children Incorporated | October 7, 2024En Español

The news about the devastation of Hurricane Helene has been heartbreaking, as families find themselves no longer with homes and the safety of their communities. Children Incorporated is affiliated with schools in four counties where children have been affected by this disaster. Since last week, our Director of U.S. Programs, Renée Kube, has received the following updates from our coordinators after the catastrophic disaster caused by Hurricane Helene:

Hearing from our coordinators

Our volunteer coordinator, Pam, at Sparta Elementary School in North Carolina, wrote:

“Renée — thanks so much for checking on us here in North Carolina. Our area has been hit pretty hard as a whole. My husband has been retired from the power company for four years, and they called him back in to help. Our region still has many, many people out of power, and our neighboring communities of Ashe and Watauga are in even worse shape. The streets have been flooded, and homes washed away. Today, we saw a picture of a double-wide trailer sitting in the middle of a road after the water receded. We will keep in touch as time goes by. Some people here will probably be without power for a week or more. We appreciate your thoughts and prayers.”

“I am so worried about all of our Mitchell County kids. There will be so much need. It has been announced that all schools will be closed in the foreseeable future. I know that help is really needed.”

Mandy at Alleghany High School says:

“At my house, damage was minimal compared to others, just lots of flooding in the basement. I am working today on cleaning that up. I did ride down to the river, and it was absolutely devastating. There are still people in my community without electricity and water. Trees are down everywhere. A lot of our county’s roads are completely washed out and closed, even the main roads. My husband works for the North Carolina Department of Transportation, and he has only got to come home and sleep for a few hours. Thanks for checking on us and working so diligently to help our families in need at this time.”

Elisa’s message

Elisa, our former coordinator at Bowman Middle School in Mitchell County, wrote:

“Renée, I finally got out of Avery County to go to my daughter’s in Marion, McDowell County, North Carolina. There is still no water, power, cell, or landline in the majority of these areas. I am so worried about all of our Mitchell County kids. There will be so much need. It has been announced that all schools will be closed in the foreseeable future. I know that help is really needed. Loss of life is climbing hour by hour.

I can’t begin to explain the devastation. I have only seen a small portion, and it is heart-wrenching. I had severe flooding at my home, but I am alive and well. My children moved heaven and earth to get me out. I wanted to stay to help others, but for my safety, I had to get out. I am planning to make the hour and fifteen-minute trek back as soon as I can to assist. It would normally take thirty minutes, but so many roads are gone. Not closed… gone. Keep praying, please, Elisa.”

A way to help those in crisis

Families of children in our program are in need of immediate assistance as they work to rebuild their lives. Thanks to our generous donors, we can respond quickly to the needs of those we support. We are currently accepting donations to our Hurricane Helene Relief Fund to help families in their recovery efforts. Donations will provide cleaning supplies and hygiene items, as well as other resources as needed. You can read more about this important fund and make a donation by clicking the link below. Thank you for your endless support of those in need.

*If you sponsor a child in North Carolina who lives in an area that was impacted, we will reach out to you if the child has been affected once our volunteer coordinators are safely able to make contact with the families.

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Renee Kube | September 2, 2024En Español

During my visit to Letcher County for the first time since the historic flooding that struct southeastern Kentucky in July 2022, I first visited Jenkins Independent Schools. Jenkins Independent Schools comprises two schools: Burdine Elementary and Jenkins Middle-High. Several years ago, at the request of our coordinator, Angela, Children Incorporated “administratively merged” Burdine Elementary into Jenkins Middle-High. They operate as one affiliated site. Angie looks over both schools; they share one Family Resource Youth Services Center. Angie travels between the two regularly.

After the pandemic learning loss, the students are slowly gaining ground. The middle school children are still struggling, but most high school students have hit average benchmarks.

After the flooding

Burdine Elementary School was damaged during the floods in July 2022, but officials agree it could have been worse. There were 3 feet of water outside, but all the doors held. About 4 inches of water was pushed in throughout the building. However, the flood did destroy the separate preschool building. Outside, all the fencing and playground equipment was destroyed and swept downstream.

When elementary school children first enroll, many are not school-ready. The pandemic years also caused learning loss. At present, elementary school children are not performing well in state standardized tests. The children are struggling not only academically but also financially. 82.3% come from low-income families.

Hearing about the students

After a tour of both campuses, Angie and I met at her high school office. She said the enrollment at the elementary school is about 203, and at the middle school, it’s about 236. Angie plans to add more children in the new school year and may include the preschool children, too.

Angie (pictured) shows Renée the Resource Center during her visit.

Angie shared that her students are dealing with persistent poverty. 86% come from low-income families. There are no more active coal mines in Jenkins. The best jobs are with the school system or the small regional hospital. The remaining available work is small retail or service jobs, such as at dollar stores, gas stations, and fast-food restaurants.

After the pandemic learning loss, the students are slowly gaining ground. The middle school children are still struggling, but most high school students have hit average benchmarks.

On to college for Jacob

Angie likes to do much of her Children Incorporated shopping at Sam’s Club. She mainly purchases clothing, hygiene items, and food. Then, she called a student named Jacob into the room for me to meet.* Jacob is polite and very well-spoken. He is ready to graduate from high school and is still thinking about what he wants to do for his future. Jacob said he is frankly tired of the school routine and is ready for a break and a change. A part of him wants to take a “gap year,” where he can work and get a paycheck. Another part of him wants to plow through and get college done and behind him. When we spoke, Jacob had applied to a couple of places but hadn’t heard back.

Happily, in mid-May, Angie called me with the very good news that Jacob had just received an acceptance letter from Alice Lloyd College, which is adjacent to Knott County. The college is tuition-free! The costs are funded by donations from across the country. However, there are costs for room and board, textbooks, fees, and other miscellaneous expenses. Angie asked if she could nominate Jacob for our Higher Education Program. I gave them an extension, and they told me to get the application to me soon. I am thrilled for Jacob to have this opportunity.

*Name changed to protect the child.

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How do I sponsor a child with Children Incorporated?

You can sponsor a child in one of three ways: call our office at 1-800-538-5381 and speak with one of our staff members; email us at sponsorship@children-inc.org; or go online to our sponsorship portal, create an account, and search for a child that is available for sponsorship.

SPONSOR A CHILD

Renee Kube | July 21, 2024En Español

Brookland Middle School in Washington, D.C. serves children in grades sixth through eighth. It is located in Ward 5. This is one of the largest wards in the city, with more than 90,000 residents. It contains two railroad lines, and several major city streets go through this ward. Thus it has a large concentration of “industrial use” land. There are over 20 distinct neighborhoods of which its residents feel a lot of pride.

Children Incorporated is just the right organization to help me purchase bulk items like winter coats, gloves, and hats for our families in dire need.

Brookland Middle School is one of four affiliations in D.C. with our organization. In addition to its academic curriculum, the school offers programs in educational enrichment (including STEM and a Socratic Seminar); wellness and fitness (including Girls on the Run and Man Up); and Art and Culture (instrumental and choral music, dance, art and design).

The school demographics are 83% black, 17% Hispanic/Latino and 1% white. 12% of students are English language learners and 57% are identified as at-risk due to poverty. Most qualify for TANF (Temporary Assistance to Needy Families) and SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program). Some of the students are homeless or are in foster care.

The children’s test scores are low, but they are making progress. More are taking Algebra I than in past years, and those who are taking the class are passing it. This is a uniform school. Sixth graders wear orange shirts, seventh graders wear teal, and eighth graders wear purple shirts.

There are 21 children enrolled in our sponsorship program currently, with four unsponsored. Although I wasn’t able to visit Brookland Middle on my last trip to Washington, D.C. our volunteer coordinator, LaTroy, wrote to me to express her appreciation for why sponsors are so important to students at her school, who are struggling to have their basic needs met throughout the year.

In LaTroy’s Words

Interior photo courtesy of architects’ website.

Brookland Middle School is a wonderful school of about 327 students in Ward 5 of Washington, D.C. The principal, school administration and partners are the true backbone of the school. They work to ensure that all students feel loved, challenged and prepared.

This year, we have increased our focus on making sure our students feel “loved.” After conducting a Panorama Survey at the end of the school year 2021-22, the results indicated that only 44% of our students reported “feeling loved at school.” Therefore, this year we are ensuring that whenever able we are exhibiting messages of love toward our students. Whether through hugs, verbal affirmation, signage or our consistent presence, we want them to know how much we love them here at Brookland.

This pouring of love could not have been more needed. In the New Year, our student body experienced a tremendous sudden loss from the murder of one of our scholars on January 7th. This was followed by the sudden death of a former student on January 21st. Upon immediate notice, our principal assembled a team of grief counselors and community support to be present. On January 25, 2023, we hosted a Memorial Breakfast in honor of the two students. During that breakfast, we announced that there would be a garden dedicated to those students in spring 2023, on school grounds.

Currently, our primary challenge is attendance. During the winter months, we’ve been experiencing a spike in unexcused absences. Since then, the school attendance team has identified those students and families with over five unexcused absences and began to call parents and talk to students to identify any barriers. The most common finding has been basic needs. Students and parents have shared that they lack the essential winter clothing to combat the winter elements. We are also experiencing more and more students who require food over the weekend. Many immigrant families are currently enrolled here at Brookland and are food insecure.

Children Incorporated is just the right organization to help me purchase bulk items like winter coats, gloves, and hats for our families in dire need, as well as help us with the items needed for our Weekend Food Pantry. Children Incorporated sponsors also help our students with school uniforms, which are required here at Brookland Middle.

(Photo credits: https://www.hartmancox.com/)

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How do I sponsor a child with Children Incorporated?

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Shelley Callahan | July 1, 2024En Español

As he continues visiting our affiliated sites in India, Luis Bourdet visits the Grace Aaron Childcare Center, where students are very happy to be present.

“The town of Burgampahad, in the southeastern Indian state of Telangana, is where the Grace Aaron Childcare Center is located,” explained Luis Bourdet.

“Within this rice-producing region, which is susceptible to crop-destroying flooding and droughts, thousands of field laborers earn very low wages. Due to widespread poverty, only some parents can send their children to school. For this reason, the Grace Aaron Childcare Center serves as a beacon of hope. Founded by the Church of South India, this center provides nutritional and educational support for girls from the region’s most impoverished families.”

Luis meets with our coordinator

“Grace Aaron was a hostel in the past, and children used to live here as our sponsorship program supported them. Flooding from the nearby Godavari river has affected the facilities a few times, and a new disposition of the local government, where children could not stay at private hostels unless a school is present within the compound, has turned this facility into a childcare center,” said Luis.

“The children love to be here, and they welcomed me with some interesting local dances and a display of henna markings in their hands that were very impressive.”

“Mrs. J. Jesantha, a coordinator of the Dornakal Girls Hostel before, is now the person in charge at Grace Aaron. The building where the dorms used to be is now utilized as classrooms and a dining hall, with a new area/building being the main area for classroom work, meetings and homework.”

“The pandemic had something to do with the transformation of this facility as well, as parents migrated to the town but had no way to support their children and send them to school. The schedule here is busy as usual, and the children arrive at the center every day very early in the morning and are given breakfast and sent to a nearby school,” said Luis.

“In the afternoon, after returning from school, they are given lunch and dinner, provided with homework help and some recreational activities, and sent home after 7 p.m. The children love to be at the Grace Aaron Center, and they welcomed me with some interesting local dances and a display of henna markings on their hands that were very impressive. They are very grateful for their sponsors as well, expressing much gratitude for the support they receive, which ensures that they have school supplies, food, and other necessary items throughout the year.”

“After meeting the coordinator about the Children Incorporated sponsorship program, I then had a delicious meal with plenty of dhal, which is a favorite food of mine, before finishing my visit to this wonderful affiliation,” said Luis.

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How do I sponsor a child with Children Incorporated?

SPONSOR A CHILD

Children Incorporated | May 22, 2024

According to the Kentucky State School Report Card an overwhelming 73.2% of Magoffin County Schools students are economically disadvantaged. Being at a disadvantage grossly impacts every single factor for a student’s success. Children’s Incorporated is such a wonderful program that truly helps eliminate some of these challenges for students and families.

Changing children’s lives

As I begin writing this, I think that I wish I had some profound sentiment or big life changing story. Then, I realize that with the support of Children Incorporated, everything we do is truly changing lives.

I realize that with the support of Children Incorporated, everything we do is truly changing lives.

I love any testimony of how something has positively impacted any child. One of my absolute favorites from this year was as I was getting to know a student, we discuss their basic needs. Do you have enough food, what clothes are you lacking, what school supplies do you need to be successful in school? Then we always dive into what’s your favorite things. She and I instantly bonded over our love of baking shows and cake decorating competitions. She confided in me that she had always wanted to bake and decorate her own cake. Now that may not seem life changing; baking a cake. But for a student who has never got to explore that side of their potential, it very well may have changed her life. I hope to one day step inside her bakery and know that this one opportunity started back in grade school by people who cared.

Helping kids feeling included

As part of being a resource coordinator, we discuss hygiene like we talk about what we had for breakfast. But breaking through to sixth grade boys who have never been shown the importance of hygiene is a whole new success I would have never dreamed I would be celebrating.

Thanks to Children Incorporated, a steady, reliable supply of some student’s favorite body care set has done just that by making them feel included and accepted for the first time. Someone who has never struggled to access basic supplies like soap and deodorant would not understand the impact this may have. These boys know that they can always find their body wash, deodorant and body spray available here as needed and will never again be faced with feeling excluded because their bodies are changing or because they might smell different or bad.

Thanks to sponsors and a combined effort with our Family Resource Center, every Children Incorporated student at our school receives a birthday present on their birthday. This personalized recognition for each child has been my favorite ongoing activity. The anticipation, excitement and appreciation from each student truly makes my day — on their birthday!

Building a relationship with these students and the students learning and accepting that they have someone they can trust and depend on is truly heartwarming. So many of our students have been failed with inconsistency and broken promises. That alone is truly one of the largest barriers we are breaking down, together!

Sincerely,
Kelly

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How do I sponsor a child with Children Incorporated?

SPONSOR A CHILD

Children Incorporated | May 21, 2024

I would like to express my sincere gratitude for the incredible program you have spearheaded, which has aﬀorded me the opportunity to further support my students through sponsorship.

The assistance provided by Children Incorporated funds has been instrumental in ensuring that enrolled children have access to essential resources, enabling them to embark on a successful academic journey. From school supplies to clothing and footwear, the support has been wonderful, alleviating the ﬁnancial burden on families and allowing children to start the school year on the right foot. The impact has been profound, with parents expressing immense relief and gratitude for the assistance rendered.

The transformative eﬀect it has had on the lives of our students and their families is immeasurable, and I look forward to continuing our collaborative eﬀorts in nurturing a brighter future for all.

The beneﬁts of the Children Incorporated sponsorship program extend beyond mere material support. Through initiatives such as special birthday gifts, spring break kits and emergency grocery orders, children have experienced moments of joy, stability and community connection.

Moreover, the allocation of the Hope In Action funds this past school year facilitated a highly successful Title 1 Family Night, enriching students and parents alike with resources, entertainment and educational opportunities. This event not only fostered familial bonds, but also empowered parents through engagement activities aimed at enhancing their ability to support their children academically.

Having a huge impact

I am particularly grateful for the swift responsiveness of the Children Incorporated program team, exempliﬁed by the timely approval and provision of emergency grocery orders for families in need. Such moments underscore the invaluable impact of this program and reaﬃrm its signiﬁcance in our community.

Several Children Incorporated-enrolled children have made notable strides in attendance, social and emotional learning, owing in part to the nurturing environment and access to resources facilitated by the program. Whether it be a new book, school supplies or a fresh outﬁt, these provisions have contributed to the overall well-being and academic success of our students.

In closing, I extend my heartfelt appreciation for the unwavering support provided of the Children Incorporated sponsors. The transformative eﬀect it has had on the lives of our students and their families is immeasurable, and I look forward to continuing our collaborative eﬀorts in nurturing a brighter future for all.

Sincerely,
Ashley