Templeton Elementary School

Background
In the 2008-2009 school year 60%of children at Templeton School were on the free (49%) and reduced (11%) lunch program. Children who live in poverty frequently fall behind in school. If a child cannot read by the time they finish 3rd grade it is likely that they will never catch up and just continue to fall farther and farther behind.

SOCC is committed to making a difference in the lives of these children. We have been given an incredible opportunity to provide volunteers at Templeton Elementary School and “stand in the gap” for children who need extra attention and for teachers who work very hard but have limited time to focus on a single child.

The information below outlines three very different facets to our friendship with Templeton. Volunteers will begin in the classroom the week of January 18; Friday Market on January 22; and gardening projects are dependent upon weather.

An orientation/sign-up will be held on Sunday, January 10 at 11:00am in the Fireside Room. You may sign-up online at www.socc.org, but should still attend the orientation or contact Lyne Brown. All classroom volunteers must agree to backgrounds checks and we are asking our volunteers to cover the $5.50 fee. Background forms will be completed at this meeting and the $5.50 will be collected at this time.

Volunteers MUST be dependable and prompt as someone is depending on you. If you would like more information or can help with the leadership of this program please contact Lyne Brown at 334-0206 or lbrown@socc.org.

Classroom
Early Morning Laps: Each morning at 8:40 after the children arrive and before class begins the children walk laps through the halls. This helps to awaken little minds for the day. Teachers stand in their doors and welcome the children as they pass by. Once each week SOCC volunteers will provide the teachers a thirty minute break, to get together and plan, by taking their place in the halls and presenting a simple lesson. Laps last 10 minutes and then volunteers will take a group of children to a classroom and teach a lesson until 9:15am. Volunteers arrive at the school promptly at 8:30 to receive the lesson. This could be done in pairs or small groups of 3 or 4 volunteers.

Reading Partners: Spend and hour once each week reading to a child or listening to a child read to you, depending on the grade level. Volunteers will meet with the same child each week, encouraging and building a relationship. Every child needs a cheerleader. One hour per week can change a life.

Free Friday Market
Free grocery shopping opportunity provided each Friday afternoon at Templeton for low income families. Approximately 50 to 70 families benefit from this market each week. SOCC will provide 5 - 10 volunteers from 1:00 -3:00 to setup and staff the store. Childcare crafts/reading, nutrition education, coupons, resource table, and healthy recipes on a budget are services we hope to incorporate into our time at the market. Volunteers may commit to one or more Friday’s each month. (Only open on Friday’s when school is in session.)

Garden Maintenance
Four outdoor areas have fallen into disrepair because of the lack of volunteers to maintain the gardens. A team from SOCC did extensive work on some of these areas during CareFest and we want to help keep them beautiful for the children and teachers to enjoy. This commitment will continue through the summer months so that the gardens can be properly maintained and readied for the return to school in the fall. The four gardens include vegetables (produce will be given away at the Free Friday Market when school is in session); wildflower and pond; picnic area; and perennial garden. There is some work on the wildflower garden that should be done this winter, weather permitting.

Four New i2U Opportunities

AREA 10 AGENCY ON AGING:
1) VITA - Volunteer Income Tax Assistance - Provide low to moderate income taxpayers an opportunity to receive free info and assistance in electronic filing of tax returns. Tuesday's or Thursday's from 9 - 1 (shift can vary) at Ellettsville Library, February & March.

2) Food Pantry - Deliver groceries to homebound seniors once per month (flexible shifts) or fill grocery bags at Area 10 the 3rd Wednesday of every month.

3) Mobile Meals Driver - Deliver hot meals to elderly and disabled. 1 - 2 hours around noon, your choice of day M-F. Yours may be the only smile this person sees all day.

For Area 10 opportunities contact Christine McKenna, RSVP Director, 935-2514.

STEPPING STONES:
Stepping Stones provides transitional housing and supportive services to youth aged 16-20 experiencing homelessness. Community volunteers are needed for two of our programs: 1)Community Center Mentor: Spending time with teen residents while at our community center in an evening or weekend. Activities may include cooking, watching movies, playing games, and just talking. 2) Be Active!: Assisting our Health Coordinator with transportation to offsite group activities such as YMCA, bowling, rock climbing. Time commitment is for a minimum of 4 months. Our next volunteer orientation is Tuesday, Dec 15 at 6:30pm. Please contact Sheri Benham at sbenham@steppingstones-inc.org to sign up. (www.steppingstones-inc.org)

Share Your CareFest Story

Share your CareFest experience by posting a comment. Where did you serve? What did you do? What did you take away from this experience?

CareFest09 - Thanks

THANK YOU to everyone who volunteered at CareFest09 on Saturday, October 24. About 350 people turned out to serve at 23 local agencies and schools. The day started out with some drizzling rain, but that soon gave way to warm sunshine. God was glorified through the loving service of many.

Pourhouse Cafe'

The Pourhouse Cafe' is a ministry outreach of SOCC. In September they beganSunday hours in a continued effort to reach our community for Christ. Two studies, One Girl and One Guy, for college students are led by Ken and Claudia Mitchell followed by a non-traditional worship service for students and patrons.

Volunteers are needed to assist the Pourhouse staff at the counter preparing drinks, operating the cash register, dipping gelato, cleaning tables and chatting with customers. This isn't as hard as it might sound - I (Lyne) can even do this.

Shifts will be between 4pm and 10pm, once per month. Of course you can work more frequently if you would like. To take advantage of this fun, exciting, ministry opportunity call or email Lyne at 334-0206 or lbrown@socc.org

Backstreet Missions Thanksgiving Baskets

Backstreet Missions in is need of volunteers to deliver their annual Thanksgiving baskets on November 21. To volunteer call Gretchen Scott at 327-1122.

CareFest - Saturday, October 24

Don't miss this exciting all-church day of serving in our community. Join hundreds of volunteers from SOCC and other area churches as we go into Bloomington and serve as Jesus did with no strings attached. Projects include minor repair or construction, cleaning, painting, sorting & folding clothes, and yard work. Team leaders are needed to facilitate projects and meet with the agency prior to CareFest day. Skilled or unskilled your participation will make this day a success.

To sign up go to http://www.socc.org/ and click on CareFest.
To serve as a project manager contact Lyne at lbrown@socc.org or 334-0206.