Blog for Every Neighborhood Partnership (ENP)

Success Stories: Highlights of Being a Literacy Mentor

April 18, 2018 Jenessa Cheema ENP News

One of my favorite things about my job is getting to visit all of the wonderful Literacy Mentors we work with! We currently have 115 Literacy Mentors at 12 schools working with nearly 400 students across Fresno and Clovis. And with two scheduled Orientations in the next week, those numbers will continue to grow! However, what excites me much more than numbers is the investment and relationships of each individual mentor. Every day I hear an inspiring story. Here are just a few of my favorite success stories…

ENP’s Little Free Library Initiative

April 17, 2018 andrewfeil Literacy

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.”

Stories of Impact: Powers-Ginsburg Saturday Sports

April 9, 2018 andrewfeil Video

Every weekend, people from The Well participate in Saturday Sports at Powers-Ginsburg Elementary. Through sports, crafts, and hanging out with kids week to week, the hope of the gospel is spreading throughout our city. Take a look at what God is doing Saturday Sports and long-term faithfully invested Christ-centered volunteers.

To learn more about ENP or Saturday Sports visit everyneighborhood.org/saturdaysports

Addressing ACEs as a Social Transformation Initiative

March 28, 2018 andrewfeil Serving Our Neighborhoods

This post first appeared on Aces Connection.com, March 14, 2018, here.

Addressing ACEs as a Social Transformation Initiative: An Invitation to Nova Scotia and Canada

In 1998, the ACE Study was published, outlining extensive lifelong effects of Adverse Childhood Experiences.

I had been accessing mental health support for 12 years before I heard about this study. After reading Bessel van der Kolk’s book The Body Keeps the Score in 2014,[i]I started talking with other people about this research, trying to muster excitement and engagement with addressing this prevalent social issue.

The resistance I met was explained after watching Dr. Nadine Burke Harris’s Ted Talk explaining ACEs. She belied not being able to get people excited about addressing the issue as well, and concluded that it isn’t because it doesn’t apply to many of us. We’re resistant because it’s all too familiar. [ii]

We Need Your Help To Spread Literacy

February 5, 2018 andrewfeil Literacy

“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?

Season of Service: March 26th – April 28th

February 1, 2018 andrewfeil ENP News

In Fresno and Clovis, spring has become the season in which Christ-centered churches link arms to serve our city. Last year over 70 different churches partnered with Every Neighborhood Partnership (ENP) and Serve Fresno to bless others in the name of Christ, and to be a visible presence of God’s love.

Join us for a city-wide season of service from March 26th thru April 28th, 2018.

Celebrating Our Literacy Mentors: Jan 6th, 2018

February 1, 2018 Carol Young Literacy

We gathered on Saturday, January 6th to celebrate our Literacy Mentors and kick off the new semester.

The morning had several goals:

To celebrate and thank the wonderful people who are serving on our school campuses! They give of their heart and time to make an impact in literacy and in the lives of children who are the future of our city!
We also wanted to give these volunteers an opportunity to meet each other and spend some time together. It was great to see them share stories, network, laugh and get to know some of the people on their much bigger team.

Less is More: Simplify Things!

January 26, 2018 Brooklynn Edwards ENP News

Almost a year ago today, I made a decision that completely shifted my “norm” when it comes to managing my money. I decided to simplify my life and rely on the bare minimum. I would not venture out to say that I am a minimalist yet, but I’m on my way. Before I made this decision, I spent a lot of time making myself think I could afford everything I had. The decision to press pause, reevaluate and take the necessary steps to live with less was influenced by the Word. 1 Corinthians 14:33 clearly states, “For God is not a God of confusion but of peace.” One year later, I’m happy to have made progress in two areas: 1. My money and 2. My mind.

Neighboring Like Jesus with Shalom

January 19, 2018 Germán Quiñonez Neighborhood Presence

With the busyness of the holiday season behind us, I want to encourage us to stop and reflect. Many of us move at light speed with our New Year’s resolutions. So, do this reflection in order to not lose sight of the implications of the Christmas story. In particular, let’s reflect on the advent of Jesus, as recorded in John’s gospel 1:14 where it says “he came to dwell among us”. Jesus intentionally enters human history and re-introduces the concept of shalom. Shalom can best be described as the idea of justice and peace. It is justice and peace which encompasses the reality of restoration and reconciliation of humanity. Underpinning this radical theory of shalom is love, which binds all these together for true transformation.

2017 Annual Report

January 17, 2018 Artie Padilla ENP News

What A Year! 2017 Reflection. 2018 Vision.

On behalf of our ENP board and staff, we’re proud to present our 2017 Annual Report.

As we approach our 10th year, we find ourselves reflecting back to our humble beginnings. We are encouraged by the growth of ENP, but even more encouraged by all we have learned since ENP began in 2008.

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