Loaves And Fishes Ministry Inc

WE PROVIDE ACADEMIC ASSISTANCE AND SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL SKILLS FOR UNDER-RESOURCED YOUTH IN COLLABORATION WITH SCHOOLS, FAMILIES, AND OTHER COMMUNITY AGENCIES. WE STRIVE TO BUILD RESILIENCE TO ADVERSE CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCES (ACES) AND PREPARE YOUTH FOR LIFE OPPORTUNITIES. WE WORK CLOSELY WITH THE FAMILIES OF OUR YOUTH WHO FREQUENTLY STRUGGLE WITH HUNGER, UNSTABLE HOUSING, POOR TRANSPORTATION, AND LW-WAGE EMPLOYMENT TO PARTNER WITH OTHER AGENCIES IN THE COMMUNITY. WE ALSO WORK TO PROVIDE ENRICHMENT ACTIVITIES FOR OUR YOUTH TO ALLOW THEM TO HAVE FUN AND BUILD SELF-ESTEEM.

AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAM: WE BRING K-12 GRADE STUDENTS FROM THEIR SCHOOLS TO OUR FACILITY USING OUR OWN MINIBUSES FOR ACADEMIC ASSISTANCE, TO BUILD SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL SKILLS, AND TO PROVIDE ENRICHMENT EXPERIENCES. INCLUDED IN OUR PROGRAM ARE HEALTHY SNACKS, TUTORING, REMEDIAL ACADEMIC ASSISTANCE, FIELD TRIPS, MENTORING, SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT, PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES, AND COLLABORATIONS WITH OTHER ORGANIZATIONS TO OFFER A VARIETY OF ADDITIONAL PROGRAMS AND EXPERIENCES. WE WORK CLOSELY WITH SCHOOL TEACHERS AND COUNSELORS, FAMILY MEMBERS, AND OUR STUDENTS TO IDENTIFY ACADEMIC AND SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL GOALS WHICH ARE THE TRACKED THOUGH OUR PROGRAM YEAR.

FAMILY SUPPORT: WHILE YOUTH ARE OUR FOCUS, WE ALSO WORK WITH THE FAMILIES OF OUR STUDENTS PROVIDING EDUCATION, SUPPLEMENTING FOOD RESOURCES WHEN NEEDED, AND GUIDING THEM TO OTHER COMMUNITY RESOURCES DEPENDING ON THEIR NEEDS. DURING COVID, THIS SUPPORT HAS BEEN INCREASED AND INCLUDES PROVIDING MASKS, SANITIZER, HOUSEHOLD SUPPLIES, COVID TESTING KITS, AND OTHER ITEMS. WE OFFER MONTHLY FAMILY NIGHT DINNERS TO PROVIDE A MEAL, DELIVER TRAINING, OFFER FAMILY-ORIENTED ACTIVITIES, AND ENCOURAGE FELLOWSHIP AMONGST OUR NETWORK.

PRIDE FOR PARENTS CHRISTMAS STORE: EACH YEAR WE OPEN A "POP-UP" CHRISTMAS STORE TO OFFER NEW TOYS AND GAMES TO OUR FAMILIES AND OTHERS IN THE COMMUNITY WHO ARE NOT ABLE TO PROVIDE FOR THEIR CHILDREN DURING THE HOLIDAYS. WE OFFER THE ITEMS AT PRICES SUBSTANTIALLY DISCOUNTED FROM RETAIL. MERCHANDISE IS PURCHASED BY OUR ORGANIZATION AND DONATED BY OUR SUPPORTERS TO STOCK THE STORE. THIS PAST YEAR WE SERVED 188 FAMILIES, PROVIDING A "HAND-UP" RATHER THAN THE "HAND-OUT" APPROACH OFFERED BY OTHER ORGANZATIONS. AS A RESULT, OUR FAMILIES TAKE PRIDE IN PAYING FOR THE GIFTS THEY SELECT AND CAN AFFORD, AND ENJOY THE LOVE, FELLOWSHIP, AND COMMUNITY OF OUR TEAM AND VOLUNTEERS.