Just For Kids (JFK)
Just
For Kids
After
School Program for Raub Middle School Youth
Our Sessions run every Tuesday and Thursday after school until about 5:00 p.m., but with the new hours for the Allentown School District, we are not sure exactly when our sessions will happen.
See
below for the schedule for this school year.
This year marks the 19th Anniversary of
our program and plans are underway to incorporate a new mini-dance
program, offered in partnership with Muhlenberg College. Dance is an
important part of a well rounded education and an enjoyable physically
fit activity providing dexterity, team building and expressive
movement. Our goal is to
introduce the new dance program during the 2nd Session, offering
hip-hop and contemporary dance for boys and girls.
This year’s special activities include
demonstrations from the Allentown Fire Department, police and ambulance
organizations. Other JFK activities include favorites like basketball,
kick ball, and dodge ball, as well as indoor games including chess,
checkers, card games, bingo, balance challenges and brainteaser
puzzles. Seasonal arts and
crafts projects and the new Wii round out the afternoon.
Last year, five of our young JFK filmmakers
created a wonderful video highlighting last year’s clubs, and
featuring interviews with our volunteers. This year, additional video
projects will include creating an original music video and a new ten
minute drama.
Volunteers are needed for the popular
cooking club at JFK. Simple treats, desserts, and/or mini-meals are
prepared with the cooking class, and then shared with everyone at the
end of the day’s activities. Please
consider joining us as Chef For A Day! The entire program is staffed
and run by a part-time director and volunteers.
I urge you to volunteer for this deeply rewarding ministry.
Please come by and visit with us some afternoon – you’ll be
impressed with what you find.
JFK 2011-12 SCHEDULE:
Session
1 - September 20 – October 13;
Session 2- November 8 – December 6 (skipping Thanksgiving);
Session 3 - January 10-February 2;
Session 4 - February 28-March 22;
Session 5 -
April 17-May 10.
Why I Volunteer at JFK
Probably
a very complicated answer.
My
parents were always volunteers. I
learned how important it is to get out in the community and give
something back. Furthermore
it is fun. I meet new
people and form nice friendships with those in the program
JFK
is a nice fit. As my
husband Jay is mostly retired (he also volunteers at JFK when he is
available), we like to travel. George
readily accepts our crazy schedule.
Even though we miss a few weeks, we are always happy to return
when we are in town. (And
he is still happy to see us!)
And
here is the best part. I
stay connected to kids. We
have such a nice group – mostly boys, all very typical
middle schoolers – full of energy, hungry, and ready to let go
after school. We offer a
safe, relaxed environment. And
they have a good time together. I
also feel I know a little bit more about the Allentown community than I
would if I were not in JFK.
Will
we ever be able to calculate the success of this program with
individual kids? No.
Will we save the world with this program?
No, but besides serving a few, perhaps we will serve as an
example to other churches and groups about what can be done on a small
scale.
And,
all in all, like most volunteers, I get far more from it than I
probably give!
Blair, Mediator volunteer
+ + + + + + + + + + + +
I
volunteer at JFK because of those unexpected moments that just make you
stop, catch your breath, and realize how much of a difference this
program makes for these kids.
*
Seeing dozens of boys come tearing
across the lawn after school to see who can get to JFK first, because
we don’t have enough volunteers to take everybody.
None of them want to be the ones left out!
*
Overhearing one of the shyer girls or boys quietly sharing their
stories – friends, family, fears, worries, dreams, school – with a
listening JFK volunteer as they learn to make cupcakes or bean salad in
the kitchen.
* Finding out that one of their families has moved, and the children are in a new school, and yet they’re trying to find rides to get back to JFK on Tuesdays and Thursday.
*
Hearing the round of disappointed voices saying “what?” and
“why?” when we tell them JFK is taking a break for a few weeks.
*
Watching a child find themselves, and blossom a bit – whether
displaying speed and smarts at Wii games, or by creating an unexpected
piece of jewelry, or proudly figuring out the daily Brain Teaser or
word puzzles.
Of
course, this is mixed in with lots of middle school energy, noise, and
street smarts. But what JFK
offers is a safe place, a haven, a place to be fed and listened to and
encouraged, and the kids that choose to be here with us at JFK thrive
on it. For a few hours a
week, it is all the difference in the world to them – and once you
see that, once you have one of these JFK moments, you’re hooked.
Kate,
community volunteer
VISION STATEMENT: Just For Kids at the Church of the Mediator creates a partnership with Raub Middle School and the community providing an after-school program for Raub Middle School 6th-8th grade youth. This program provides a welcoming and safe place that offers wholesome recreational and life skills activities.
Just For Kids (JFK) is a free after school program for 6th-8th grade Raub Middle School Students. In partnership with Raub Middle School and the community, JFK is an important outreach ministry of the Episcopal Church of the Mediator where the program is held. It is administered by a part-time paid Director and is dependent on volunteers, donations and grants to make it possible.
Begun in 1992 this after-school program has evolved as the student population has changed. The program is offered two afternoons a week for approximately twenty weeks over the course of the school year in an effort to serve the children and families of downtown Allentown.
Many of the students who attend are at-risk youth. Our structure and attendance has varied since its inception in an attempt to keep current with the needs of those we serve. Currently we offer five four-week sessions with an average attendance in 2009-2010 of about 28 students.
Activities are offered in a "club" setting around the primary interest areas of basketball, cooking, arts & crafts and games. Other activities have been added when deemed appropriate.
There is a JFK Advisory Council made up of volunteers and members of the parish, Raub Middle School and the community, which meets regularly to oversee the JFK program and support the work of the Director, who serves as an ex-officio member.
REVISED & ADOPTED 2/17/08