The charitable organization will offer homework assistance and school supply programs this fall
With the back-to-school rush just around the corner, Love INC is preparing to lend a hand to local schools by launching a pair of new ministry programs.
This fall, the charitable organization will introduce a homework-assistance program at Chehalem Valley Middle School and hopes to install school supply “cupboards” at area elementary and middle schools.
The Homework Heroes program will screen and train volunteers — either high school students, college students or adults — to lead homework clubs that will meet twice a week after school at CVMS for 45 minute using a curriculum developed in collaboration with the school’s leadership team.
Volunteers will work with up to five students during each session and the program will have a capacity of 30 students in the pilot phase, with teachers recommending students for the program and filling openings on a first come, first served basis.
Students will make a commitment to the program and attendance will be tracked.
For the School Supply Cupboard ministry, Love INC will organize volunteers from area churches to stock a supply cupboard at local schools throughout the year to benefit students whose families are unable to provide their own supplies.
Volunteers will be assigned to schools geographically based on where they live and school staff will maintain a list of supplies most commonly needed by under-resourced students.
The supply cupboards will be located at the schools so that teachers can access and distribute them immediately.
While funding for the program will come from various sources — including Love INC volunteers, community members, business and churches — the lifeblood will be the groups of volunteers that will maintain an open dialogue with each school to keep the cupboards stocked.
“If God is nudging you to begin a new discipline of serving this school year, we have numerous options in which to put your talents to work,” executive director Jodi Hansen said in Love INC’s monthly newsletter. “We hope that at least one of these programs will inspire you to invest your resources in ways that produce a valuable return.”
Love INC is also calling for volunteers for its relational ministry, in which community members spend an 90 minutes each Thursday evening serving as mentors to clients in the program.
The Newberg Community Shelter is also in need of hosts to spend an evening with clients and stay the night once a month.
Among the specific ministry needs this month are body wash, feminine products, lotion and tooth paste for the Non-Food Pantry at C3 Newberg.
Grace Baptist Church’s personal care kit ministry is calling for donations of personal-sized deodorant, lip balm and hand sanitizer, while the St. Peter Linen Closet needs pillows and shower curtains.
The Love INC dinner club, for which participating restaurants donate 10 percent of their sales for the day, will be hosted by Pogy’s Subs Aug. 18.
To donate or to volunteer, call 503-537-3999, emailinfo@loveincnewberg.org or visit www.loveinc newberg.org.
Written by: Seth Gordon
