On Oct. 18, learn how to make a difference for at-risk school children

Susan Solis, development and volunteer coordinator with Gordon Parks Elementary School, will share information and answer questions about the needs of the school’s students at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 18, in Luther Hall. Please plan to be there!

Susan’s visit is in response to a common concern about factors that diminish the well-being of children in local elementary schools (see story above.) Based on information we learn from Susan, the goal will be to identify how we can work together to improve the well-being of Gordon Parks students.

Acting on the conviction that every child has promise, Gordon Parks Elementary provides an enriched individualized academic program, particularly for at-risk urban students. Serving more than 200 children in grades K-5, the public charter school was named after the groundbreaking African-American photographer who proudly endorsed the school’s mission.

About 95 percent of Gordon Parks students live at or below the poverty level, about 17 percent qualify for special education classes, and far too many are pained by broken families or exposure to violence in their homes or neighborhoods. Despite these challenges, Gordon Parks students inspire with their intelligence, creativity and determination to learn.

As a charter school, Gordon Parks receives public funding. But to maintain small classes, holistic curriculum and intensive support services, it also depends on the generosity and dedication of donors and volunteers.

-- Linda Fewell, Immanuel Organizing Committee

Immanuel Organizing Committee session uncovers neighborhood concerns

About 25 people from Immanuel and from the Volker and West Plaza neighborhoods shared a light lunch and heartfelt concerns about the quality of life in Immanuel’s neighborhood during a Sept. 12 gathering.

The event, sponsored by Immanuel’s local organizing committee, focused on how God’s faithful people can help shape solutions to the problems of our day.

All of the concerns brought forward were considered important, but the participants pointed to three particular issues that will be the focus of further research:

Unemployment and underemployment, including needs for networking and support.

Circumstances that undermine the well-being of children in local elementary schools, particularly Gordon Parks Elementary, 3715 Wyoming St., Kansas City, a charter school in in the former Volker Elementary building, and Longfellow Elementary, 2830 Holmes, in the Kansas City, Mo., school district.

The lack of relationships and sense of community among churches and the neighborhoods

The goal of the research into those concerns will be to identify how we can work together as congregation members and neighbors, and combine our voices and efforts in ways that can lead to lasting changes and improvements.

That process will begin in earnest on Monday, Oct. 18, when Immanuel members can learn how they can be part of the solution at a program by Susan Solis, the Gordon Parks development and volunteer coordinator.

-- Linda Fewell, Immanuel Organizing Committee