Last week the STARS Afterschool Program at Westside Christian Community wrapped up for the year, marking 10 full years of serving Snyder Park Elementary kids through STARS. Born out of hearts full of love for God and for neighborhood kids, STARS started in the fall of 2003, and has served hundreds of children with dozens […]
Tote bag season is here! Would you like to bless a Springfield kid with some summer fun? We’re looking for some folks to fill a tote bag (like the ones pictured here) with “summer survival gear” for a STARS kid in grades K-6. What goes in a tote bag? – Something educational (a […]
Sometimes I struggle with how to paint a verbal picture for you of what I hear and see every day at SCYM. There are little moments that happen in ordinary spaces with ordinary people, and stories that unfold over a long haul, that you know are eternally significant because hope has entered. At SCYM we […]
Have you ever thought about getting involved to help a Springfield kid? Or maybe you know someone who’s got a heart for kids? If so, there’s no better time than the fall to get started! (These are real STARS kids by the way! No stock photos!)The STARS Afterschool Program for Springfield elementary-aged kids is ramping up […]
Today marks the end of National Volunteers Week. There are about a zillion more people we would like to highlight, who each bring their own special personalities, abilities, and gifts to help Springfield kids “crush the odds with the love of God!” But we’ve been delighted to introduce a few this week: Greg Jindra, Gary […]
It’s Day 3 of National Volunteer Week, or as we might start calling it, “Not Just a Volunteer” Week! (Click the links to meet two other terrific “not just a volunteers,” Greg Jindra and Gary Lookabaugh.) Today we’d like you to meet one of our youngest volunteers, Mary Apone. Mary is a student at Greenon […]
Our fall programs are ramping up to serve Springfield city elementary and middle school kids once again, and we need many “heroes” to invest an hour or more a week in a kid’s life! Would you consider joining our awesome team of volunteers this fall? Here are some of our opportunities to connect with kids: […]
STARS After – School Program At the beginning of October, we were excited to start back up again, with a good number of returning students, and some smiling new faces as well. For the STARS kids, opening day couldn’t come soon enough. Thanks for all your prayers as we have worked through transportation issues and […]
Fall is here, and for SCYM that means many Springfield children and youth coming to the doors of our programs. Most of them are looking for something fun to do and a safe place to be – but most of all they are looking for someone. Someone to remember their name, to ask them how […]
Seven-year-old Michael* has been attending the STARS After-School program for over a year. Like many kids we meet, Michael has difficulty focusing, sitting still, and acting appropriately with his peers – and, no surprise, frequently finds himself in trouble. Recently during STARS chapel time, director Jeff Nelson had to take a “STARSbuck” away from Michael […]