Hey everyone, this is Amy, the Saturday Sports Coordinator for ENP.
I’m here to share a little about an idea we’ve been working on in the Recreational Resilience Department. This semester we’ve piloted a new opportunity to build resilience through kids’ favorite subject. Recess.
Hi, Jenessa Hefler from ENP here! Coming to you virtually from my very yellow kitchen. I hope you all are staying safe and connected in these unprecedented times. In light of our schools being closed and many parents and kids at home trying to navigate a new homeschool life, we wanted to make our Literacy Mentor (LM) materials free and easily accessible to you.
The Bible reveals that leadership shapes the heart, mind, and actions of entire generations. The book of Judges reveals the complex and dynamic interrelationship between our collective human nature with leadership and God’s divine purpose. It is with this wide-angled perspective that I would like to discuss the ministry of Saturday Sports and its crucial role in the leadership of the Next-generation.
“This is Amy, the Saturday Sports Coordinator for ENP.”
You’ve probably read that if you’ve ever gotten an email from me. Since I am relatively new here (hired in August ‘18), I would bet that a majority of those reading have no idea who I am. Hopefully, some have at least seen me out and about leading an SS Orientation or assisting our staff at equipping events. The majority of what I do for ENP is coordinating Saturday Sports volunteers, leading out SS Orientations, and the planning and paperwork to keep SS organized. However, I also facilitate our Social Emotional hand-drumming program, Beat the Odds, at a couple of schools around Fresno. This is work that, sadly, most people don’t get to witness.
ENP was birthed out of a church-school partnership which is why most people only know of ENP through church connections. But did you know that ENP also has the unique opportunity to impact our next generation of leaders through partnerships with Fresno State and Fresno City? Getting our college students involved on local elementary school campuses not only furthers our elementary students’ growth, but it also impacts the future careers, hearts, and direction of our young adult leaders.
Check out our first and best Saturday Sports Newsletter!
Every Neighborhood Partnership is partnering with the Luis Palau National group to create a six-month series that describes our work in the city. Below is the fourth post in the series from our Literacy Mentor Director, Jenessa Hefler.
Last month, Brian Semsem broke down fun and play, ENP’s recreation and resilience building programs. This month we will look at literacy and a child’s pathway to success. Our goal to see every 3rd Grader reading at grade level.
Every Neighborhood Partnership is partnering with the Luis Palau National group to create a six-month series that describes our work in the city. Below is the third post in the series from the Director of Saturday Sports, Brian Semsem.
One of the biggest challenges for low-income families with regard to literacy is the lack of access to books in the household.
61% of low-income families have no books at all in their homes for their children. That includes children and adult books! What we know is that the only measure that correlates significantly with reading scores is the number of books in the home. An analysis of a national dataset of nearly 100,000 United States school children found that access to printed materials—not poverty—is the “critical variable affecting reading acquisition.”
“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.” – Dr. Seuss
Wouldn’t you love to be a part of a child’s path to reading?
ENP is on a mission to establish 30 new classrooms with Literacy Mentors this semester, opening more doors for volunteers to help students develop critical reading skills, and most importantly, a love for books and learning.
Would you consider being a part of our “For The Love of Literacy” campaign?
