Summer Engagement Opportunities
/Remember the fun and freedom days of summer as a youth? Days spent exploring, including especially spending endless hours with friends, picnics, swimming and more! CFNA has engaged many of our New American friends in such activities with the hope of expanding their experiences, growing their ideas, and providing a summer full of fun.
At the Peace Center, we offered a new program called Math and Music, where high school students commit six nights designated to the improvement of their ACT math and introductory music skills. Violins, pianos, guitars and a saxophone reverberated through the halls. Individuals and churches volunteered to make dinner for the group, accompanied by devotions with a focus on the life of Jacob. It was music to our ears.
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In collaboration with B-Works, 24 students enrolled in computer and bike classes featuring an opportunity to earn the item by taking courses on how to care for it themselves. This has been our third year working with this excellent organization and the New American participants love it.
Additionally, fifteen young women have been hanging out at South Broadway Art Project weekly to learn simple pottery and ceramic skills. This also provides social space for our friends as they design items like cups and bowls to use in their homes.
In response to many requests, we have again offered swim lessons this summer with 40 students in the pool taking lessons from certified instructors. Goggles in place, courage in tow, so many of our youth are now competent in basic swimming skills.
Thank you, CFNA supporters, for helping us give our New American Friends a summer to remember. Questions, comments or suggestions?? You may contact me at azeigler@cfna-stl.org.
By Amy Zeigler
CFNA Community Engagement Facilitator
