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Incarnate Word reaching out to the children of Katrina

We all have heard about the devastation that hurricane Katrina brought to the people of New Orleans, but not many of us can actually relate to it. The Incarnate Word Summer Bridge Academy Staff and Volunteers were able to relate to it this summer when the Sylvest family (Morgan, Justin, Asia) and the Francois family (Shelby and Lavelt) joined the program.

We can praise God that none of these children and their families where in New Orleans when Katrina hit the shore and caused them to lose their homes. Both families were in Atlanta, GA visiting their friends and relatives when they found out that the hurricane hit their hometown. It was a shock to all of them, but they knew that they could not go back. The families settled here in Stone Mountain, GA and went back to New Orleans only to see with their own eyes what was left of their whole life’s’ work. They have been living in GA for almost a year now. Justin and Morgan attend Hambrock Elementary and Asia attends Stone Mountain Middle school. Shelbi and Levalt attend Dekalb Path Academy. Both the Sylvests and Francois attend on Sundays is Soul for Christ Church.

Shelby and Lavelt Francois Two talented crafters, artists, and basketball players	Morgan, Justin and Asia Sylvest three talented dancers and singers

This summer they attended 2006 Incarnate Word Summer Bridge Academy, in Tucker, GA. The academy provides 50 underprivileged grade school students in the community, with a free four-week program of academic enhancement, cultural enrichment, Christian education and character building. The program is designed for children from 1st to 7th grade and it aims at assisting with their academic, cultural, social, and spiritual needs as they participate in organized group activities. The program serves daily free breakfast and lunch for the all children who attend in cooperation of the City of Atlanta Summer Food Program. The Summer Bridge Program includes weekly fun field trips (Library, St. Mountain Park, Georgia Aquarium). In addition the children are also engaged in choreographed spiritual dancing and musical performances.

By Samantha Gintere and Victorita Paun

24th July 2006

Reaching the Community Through Incarnate Word Summer Bridge Academy

Incarnate Word Summer Bridge Program is provided grade school students in the community with a program of academic enhancement, cultural enrichment, Christian education and character building. The program is designed to meet the participants’ academic, cultural, social, nutritional and spiritual needs as they participate in organized group activities. Seventy eight students signed up the 2006 program. A total of 54 students had been served. The daily attendance was of about 40 children. In addition, there were 9 youth volunteers 7 of whom come from the Incarnate Word Congregation. The children, from Pre K through seventh grade, normally attend public schools in the Clarkston/Tucker area. Some of the children came from the Caribbean and African immigrant populations as well as the African American community. The Program was provided free of charge to the children with funds provided for by grants from The Florida /Georgia District of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, The Board Of Black Ministries Services LCMS, Rivercliff Lutheran Church and Thrivent for Lutherans. In, addition, the program was aided by generous donations from members of the Incarnate Word, St. Mark and Timothy Lutheran congregations and friends of Pastor Heyliger.

The Regular Full-time Youth Volunteers with Pastor Heyliger L-R (front) Samantha Noland Samanta Gintere, Victoria Paun, Ronelle Westfield, (back) Bryron Westfield, Pastor Heyliger, Ernon Westfield. Ashley Pruitt (Missing: Iesha Carter, Orianna Cramer and Crystal Straker, Christopher Carter, Kariga Wray who were occasional volunteers)

Pastor Heyliger getting ready for morning devotions

Learning about Jesus is the part of Summer Bridge Academy. Children are gathered around in the circle for the morning Bible study where everyone participates in group discussions.

Mrs. Joyce Verette comes in on Tuesdays and Wednesdays to teach the children etiquette and the proper ways of behaving in different situations. Mrs. Verette is a former college professor and administrator from Dillard University in New Orleans. She now lives in Atlanta and attends Peace Lutheran Church in Decatur, Georgia

Mrs. Cynthia Bland explains mathematical concepts while pastor Heyliger looks on…grasping the knowledge. Mrs. Bland is a member of Peace Lutheran Church. Her granddaughter, Samantha Noland, taught the children liturgical dancing.

Incarnate Word member and youth volunteer Byron Westfield with pre-K kids before their morning activities.

Daily free breakfast and lunch were served at Incarnate Word Summer Bridge Academy. The food was provided by the City of Atlanta Summer Food Program.

On Fridays kids get little more lunch and recess time where they can enjoy the cookout.

The girls practice a liturgical dance routine

Samanta Gintere, a volunteer from Latvia taught singing

The Pre-K children make use of their free time at the play ground!

The Middle School children use their free time to learn about teamwork…and basketball

When a day is nice and cool the older children enjoy having their reading class outside with Mrs. Johnetta Gillies who lives and works as a certified teacher in Germany. She has been on a leave of absence from her school since December. She attends church every Sunday at Incarnate Word where her son Trevor serves as an Elder and volunteers with the Summer Academy.

Pastor Heyliger uses one of the entrances of St. Mark as a place to counsel

Children from New Orleans who lost their homes during Katrina hurricane disaster find friends at The Summer Bridge Academy.

The students went on field trips in Church bus.

The children reached great heights…on the Stone Mountain…

…And …Great depths at the Georgia Aquarium

Incarnate Word Summer Bridge Academy was able to reach children from many countries. Children from Sudan and Ethiopia pose for a picture.

Getting a hug from the music teacher, a child reached for a hug from a volunteer.

And so the weeks went by…

When the time came…the Children displayed their achievements at the Final Celebration

They sung onto the Lord…

And they danced onto the Lord.

Then they received the reward for their hard work…

The children and their families gathered for Award Ceremony July 9 at the Incarnate Word Lutheran Church Sunday Service

By Samantha Gintere and Victorita Paun

24th July 2006