Presbyterian Youth volunteer at Services of Hope

5th - 8th graders from Highland Park Presbyterian
Church volunteer at Services of Hope April 9th.

On Saturday, April 9, 2011, we had 30 children from Highland Park Presbyterian Church (HPPC) here at Services of Hope for a youth volunteer day of service. SOH prepared a continental breakfast, which the children and their leaders really enjoyed.

After eating breakfast, we had introductions and a brief SOH overview, explaining SOH and what services our organization provides to the community. We introduced the Literacy Character Connections program.  Anthony White of SOH presented the Literacy component, Keerica Ford presented the Character component, and Donna Patterson concluded with the Connections component of the LCC programming.

We separated into groups of six with each staff member. Everyone was eager and excited about working on the projects we planned for them. These projects included the following: yard work, planting flowers, cleaning the grounds outside, cleaning the building inside, rotating food pantry items, together with administrative duties such as filing, organizing, special event binders, etc.

The 5th thru 8th graders worked very hard and diligently to complete the entire project in one hour. We all had a great time fellowshipping with each other.

Once we came back together, we held a feedback session with the children to see what they enjoyed most and what they would like to see on their next youth day at SOH. There were several children that came up to speak and told us how much they enjoyed being at SOH, and would like to come back. One of the young men prayed for us and we dismissed.

Ms. Teresa, SOH chief culinary provider, could not help herself and fed everyone lunch! The children enjoyed their meal and really appreciated Ms. Teresa for taking the time to prepare lunch for them. It was a joy and pleasure having the youth of HPPC take out time to volunteer with the staff of Services of Hope. A good day was had by all!!!!