Page 31 - Presbyterian Connection

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SUMMER 2021
Happiness and Homework Go Hand-in-Hand
of the total cost to run the club, and we are grateful to partners, individu- als and the Anglican Foundation of Canada, when we need to find the rest.”
This volunteer-led, staff-supported program is always student-focused, even when it comes to the monthly Steering Committee meetings. “We don’t spend a lot of time on govern- ance. We receive reports and make quick decisions about new badmin- ton nets or jigsaw puzzles or up- grades to the snacks. Most of the time we talk about the kids and their specific learning needs: who needs more math support or reading time and that kind of thing. Our volunteers are integrally involved in these chil- dren’s lives.”
The impact of COVID-19 has been a huge challenge, of course. The schools from which they draw stu- dents asked them not to operate. “One volunteer offered to lead the Zoom training effort,” said Wes, “and now we have about five or six vol- unteers leading 10 kids in an online program.”
The St. James Town Homework Club is a place where people of dif- ferent ages and ethnicities come to- gether to share in the joy of learning. According to Wes, a testament to the sense of belonging the students find is that some of the graduates have come back as volunteers to help the younger kids.
Everyone is looking forward to an end to the pandemic, and a re- turn to the program on an in-person basis. “The volunteers and I are al- ways greeted with big smiles and warm hugs. The kids are so happy to get help with their homework, read books, play and be cared for in a safe, supportive environment.”
Wes said one student told him, “I love coming here. If I didn’t have the homework club, I’d be at home all alone after school every day.”
By Michelle Hauser, commissioned by the Anglican Foundation of Canada
Can happiness and homework re- ally go hand-in-hand? According to the Rev. Wes Denyer, minister at Rosedale Presbyterian Church in To- ronto, Ont., and chair of the Steering Committee at the St. James Town Ecumenical Homework Club, they truly can.
“The kids love coming here,” said Wes. “The look of joy you see on their faces is a huge reward.” The same is true for the club’s volunteers, many of them retirees drawn from the three Toronto churches that have helped to ensure the success of the program for more than 10 years. “One of our most faithful volunteers started in her early 70s. Ten years later, she’s still here regularly. These are kids; they
Former Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada, Archbishop Fred Hiltz, talks to a child involved in the St. James Town Ecumenical Homework Club.
Participants of the Ecumenical Homework Club.
Food being distributed at a village in Si- erra Leone.
By Carey Jo Johnston, St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in
Sutton West, Ont.
Just like the story of the woman who gave her two pennies, the small con- gregation at St. Andrew’s Presbyteri- an Church in Sutton West, Ont., does not have a lot, but they give what they have to the glory of the Lord.
are fun to be around.”
The St. James Town Homework
Club is a long-standing ecumenical partnership between Rosedale Pres- byterian Church, St. Andrew’s United Church, the Anglican Foundation of Canada, and the Church of St. Peter and St. Simon-the-Apostle, which serves as the club’s headquarters.
The club welcomes approximately 25 children, ages six to 12, from Monday to Friday, and serves two neighbourhood schools in St. James Town, one of Canada’s most densely populated high-rise communities located in the northeast corner of downtown Toronto.
“Our volunteers meet the kids right at their school and walk them over to the homework club,” said Wes. “When children arrive, they have outdoor playtime—badminton, field hockey or soccer—and then enjoy a nutritious snack prepared by one of the two part-time staff.”
In addition to outdoor recreation and snacks, children receive age- appropriate and highly personalized learning support. “For the younger kids, maybe one of our volunteers will just read books to them,” said
Wes, which parents appreciate, be- cause St. James Town is a multi- cultural, multi-linguistic neighbour- hood, home to many newcomers to Canada.
“We have computers, so older kids can do research. We have purchased subscriptions to a variety of learning software that helps the children with mathematics, English and geography. Sometimes they will have a writing or math or spelling assignment and vol- unteers, or the program coordinator, will help them with that work.”
Student enrichment is a natural outcome of this small-scale, flex- ible program that never fails to har- ness the skills and experience of volunteers. “We have a retired math teacher from Branksome Hall. We have had people who were profes- sional musicians and vocalists who have worked with the kids. We look at what skills and experience the vol- unteers bring and we use those to the fullest.”
The homework club is free to par- ticipating families, except for a small snack fee to defray the cost of food. “Each of the three churches provides $6,000 per year, about three quarters
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31
Sutton West: Small but Mighty
Besides a community meal that has been happening every week for 15 years (currently on hiatus because of COVID-19 restrictions), the congregation has an ongoing ministry to several villages in Si- erra Leone. Josephine Freeman, a member of the congregation and originally from Sierra Leone, initially connected the congregation to her village because of the pover ty and struggles there.
Last year, St. Andrew’s sent about $1,000 to assist with two special food distributions to three villages, one in June and one at Christmas.
The Rev. Elder Kamara helping with the food dis- tribution of rice, oil, salt and onion at Peace Pres- byterian Church in Sierra Leone.
One family that received food.