Sponsor kids to read this summer

Did you know that a child who is reading at grade level by 3rd grade is unlikely to ever be involved in the criminal justice system? And did you know that one of the best ways for kids to improve their reading is simply to read more?

This summer we're launching a new initiative to raise the tide for kids in Springfield. It's called Mission: Reading (you can read all the details right here, especially if you know any kids who could be involved!) The short version is, we're challenging kids to read this summer and at the same time raise funds to help other kids in Springfield.

While we're challenging kids to raise funds to help other kids, we want to challenge the rest of our community to do the same! We'd like to raise another $6,250 to match what we're projecting the kids will raise.

So how about it? Want to get behind our city's kids, give them encouragement to read, and support them as they raise funds to help other kids attend a summer reading camp or an afterschool program? Whether you're an individual, family, business, or church, you can help!

Here's how to donate. You can make an online donation here, and before you submit your donation, click "add special instructions" and enter "Mission Reading."

$25 will sponsor a student who may not be able to raise their own funds.
$100 will match what 4 students raise. (High Five Sponsor)
$250 will match what 10 students raise. (Round of Applause Sponsor)
$500 will match what 20 students raise. (Three Cheers Sponsor)
$1,000 will match what 50 students raise. (Standing Ovation Sponsor)

If you're a business or church and would like to print an invoice, you can print the form and all details for giving here. All business sponsors will receive promotional opportunities (detailed in that form) in SCYM mailings and at our fall Celebrate Kids! event.

Also if you're a business, why not think about inviting your employees to sponsor a student for $25, and then matching what they contribute? It's a fantastic way to encourage the kids in our community, while raising the tide for many kids at the same time!

Mission: Reading -- it's one more way YOU are "helping kids crush the odds with the love of God" through SCYM!

Calling all teachers! And people who love kids.

Hey teachers! (Non-teaching friends, there is info for you too, just skip ahead.)

Camp Boost is a partnership between Springfield Christian Youth Ministries (SCYM) and Clifton Avenue Church of God. It’s a daily, “Vacation Bible School”-style reading boost for children ages Pre-K through rising 6th graders. It meets 10:00-1:00 Monday-Friday, July 29 to August 2 at Clifton Avenue Church of God. (We're also working with High Street Nazarene to hold another Camp Boost from July 8-12, but that one is being staffed with friends at HSN.)
 

We are seeking 7 volunteer teachers comfortable in a faith-based setting, for one week. Here is what you can expect:

• Class size limited to 12
• Fun reading club curriculum developed by Wittenberg University education faculty
• Assistants in each classroom
• Daily Bible lesson
• 1.5 hours of classroom time daily 

Non-teaching people! If you enjoy kids, or are good at making or serving food, or good at registration, we need your help too. Would you like to be a classroom assistant, a food preparer, a "go-fer," or a registration assistant? All hands are needed!

We know summer is a great time to relax and maybe the idea of "one more thing" like Camp Boost sounds too draining. But we can tell you truthfully that the people involved in last year's Camp Boost went away energized, recharged, and refreshed! We heard lots of comments like, "I can't wait to do this again next year!" 

For more information, call us at (937)325-183 or email us at SCYMinistries@gmail.com. 

7 Things to Pray for Springfield, for Kids’ Sake

In honor of the National Day of Prayer tomorrow, it's a great time to examine how we can pray for Springfield and specifically for kids. Would you join us for one week this month praying for God to move powerfully in our city to rewrite kids’ stories? Here are seven things you can pray for.

1. Dads who stay: Pray for flourishing father/child relationships that will help children reach their full height

2. Moms who value themselves: Pray that moms will establish foundations for healthy families by the men they choose

3. Peaceful homes: Pray for families who communicate and talk out problems; pray against domestic violence

4. Hope: Pray against the shame, defeat and hopelessness that poverty often brings

5. Churches that love: Pray for churches to seek out the lost and hurting in their neighborhoods, and to embrace and love the families they meet

6. Drug-free neighborhoods: Pray for drug dealers to go out of business and for crime to drop dramatically

7. Schools that don’t give up: Pray for persistence and encouragement for those work in Springfield city schools

Not "just a volunteer" -- meet Dave Warner

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 Lookabaugh, Mary Apone, and Corie Cappelucci. (Click their names if you missed those days!) 

Today we want to introduce you to Dave Warner.

Although maybe this photo gives you a better sense of Dave's sense of humor and fun-loving personality!

Dave is a member of High Street Church of the Nazarene, and has volunteered at the High Street STARS Afterschool Program for Kenwood kids for the past 5 years (since the program started!) He works at Maiweave LLC and is a dad and grandpa.

Dave is someone we are so grateful to have around our STARS kids! Through his wife's long fight with cancer and her passing, he has remained a tremendous example of faithfulness and love for the Lord. He reminds all of us -- kids and adults -- to keep our eyes on Jesus during the good times and bad times. 

Tyler Worley, our STARS director, says, "Dave shows up week in and week out and is ready to serve wherever he can lend a hand. He's a person that the kids have come to know cares deeply for them." 

To someone considering working with STARS, Dave says, "If you love God and love kids, then come aboard! STARS has helped me grow in my faith because sometimes the problems that the children are facing, I just don't have answers for, but then you see God break into the situation and you get to see how big God really is."

"I also really look forward to the times when the kids are grown and I run into them at the store or somewhere and they tell me about how they're living their lives."

We know that the years that Dave has been pouring into these kids, week by week, are making a difference and changing their lives. And we believe that by the grace of God, some of those "someday moments" will be different because Dave invested in these kids. We thank God for Dave, for the others we've highlighted this week, and for the MANY who are investing in kids in our city through SCYM!

Not "just a volunteer" -- meet Corie Cappelucci

Day 4 of National Volunteer Week, and we haven't even scratched the surface of all the fantastic people who volunteer their time (and themselves, really) at SCYM. If you missed days 1, 2, and 3 be sure to click the links to meet Greg Jindra, Gary Lookabaugh, and Mary Apone! 

Today we want to introduce you to Corie Cappelucci.

Three years ago, Corie, a senior Art History major at Wittenberg University, discovered the GirlPower Afterschool Program and has been investing in city middle school girls ever since. Twice a week Corie shows up to spend time with Schaefer and Hayward girls, communicating that they are valuable and important enough to be worth her time. She says that she wants to give the girls "a person to count on, someone who believes in them and lets them know they will be successful."

One of Corie's favorite memories of GirlPower was a few years ago, when a Mary Kay representative came in to help the girls with makeup and skin care. Corie says, "It was a day when everyone was encouraging each other, and I could tell the girls really felt beautiful and were confident about their appearance. It was amazing to see."

With college graduation coming up soon, Corie plans to continue volunteering and doing nonprofit work. She'll be working with AmeriCorps this coming year. We pray that God will lead her into even greater adventures, and we're so grateful for the imprint she's left on many young lives here in Springfield!

Not "just a volunteer" -- meet Mary Apone

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 High School and has volunteered at the STARS Afterschool Program at Westside Christian Community for the past three years. Every week Mary shows up to be a friend to city elementary school kids, help them with their reading, and show them the love of Jesus. The kids love Mary and they know that she loves them!

Mary says, if you're thinking about volunteering with kids at SCYM, "Go for it! Once you get to know all of the kids and volunteers, it's like family." 

What does Mary's experience mean to her? She says, "I've been at Westside Church with Pastor Costy and Beth since I was little, and their commitment to serving our community has been very inspiring to me. I love being in the middle of what God is doing!" 

And we love that God is drawing in young people like Mary to love kids in our city. May God raise up many more Mary's!

Not "just a volunteer" -- meet Gary Lookabaugh

It's Day 2 of National Volunteer Week, and we're pleased to introduce you to some people who inspire and encourage us every day.

Have you ever been driving around Springfield and noticed a home for sale with a Real Estate II sign that says "Gary Lookabaugh" on the top?

Well, we'd like to introduce you to Gary.

Gary has been behind the buying and selling of more homes in Clark County than he can probably count. He is a terrific businessman, but he is also a kind and humble person who seeks to follow Christ in all he does.



Gary served on the SCYM board from 2008-2012. You may not know that Gary grew up on the west side of Springfield, which has led him to have a heart for the kids that SCYM serves. He understands the struggles of growing up in a broken home, and knows how much kids need to find Christian role models and guidance. 

Last year, Gary sensed that God was leading him to become a mentor, and to help find others to mentor, too. Last summer we matched Gary with Aaron, a bright young 7th grader who lives on the west side. Gary and Aaron have struck up a great friendship, meeting once a week. (Gary says he treats his time with Aaron "like an appointment I need to keep.") They talk about setting goals, having positive relationships, and just about life.

Gary says he has learned that mentoring "is a simpler process than I thought. It's just being a listener and being there."

And to anyone thinking about become a mentor, Gary says, "It's a great opportunity for you to grow. It's shown me how to be a better grandfather to my grandkids."

So the next time you see Gary Lookabaugh's name, why not say a prayer for him and Aaron, and remember his example of someone who is not content with just business success, but is seeking to serve wherever God is calling him. We're so thankful for Gary!