This year, approximately 110 children and youth from 20 area schools were provided with the basic supplies they need to return to school. The supply bags are specifically filled for each individual student according to his or her school, age, and grade.
This project is particularly important to the Hispanic community. Most immigrants from Latin American countries cite a desire for their children to have a better life as a primary reason for coming to the U.S. And receiving an adequate education is a major first step. Latino parents tend to be very interested in and committed to their children's education, and they will do everything possible to ensure their success.
But school supply lists tend to be overwhelming for parents with little or no English skills, and especially so for those with younger children who have not had experience with preparing them for their first day of school. LUCHA Ministries‚ staff and volunteers check the lists from various schools, making sure that each child has the supplies that he or she needs for his or her school and grade. Parents then provide the “extras”–ziplock bags, tissues, soap or hand sanitizer, art shirts, etc.
The lists provide many opportunities for conversation and learning new vocabulary for parents. Terms like “dry erase marker,” “index card‚” or “marble notebook‚” may be unfamiliar and parents may wonder why children need ziplock bags or what FISKARS means. LUCHA Ministries also makes sure that each family has a Spanish-English dictionary to facilitate communication and helps them find and enroll in English classes.
Each year, the School Supplies Project grows, primarily because those who receive help want to help others. When possible, LUCHA Ministries networks with members of the community who are Christians, and enables them to help others in by identifying those who need assistance in their communities and distributing the supply bags. This year, two Latino men who have received assistance from LUCHA volunteered to prepare and deliver the bags.
While delivering in one of the neighborhoods, two boys came running to the car to greet LUCHA personnel and volunteer Eusebio Peñalosa, a member of the Hispanic Baptist Mission of Fredericksburg, who helped with the project. Erick, age 8, and his cousin, Alfonso, age 10, thanked them for their bags, and in a few minutes returned with their friend, Alberto. “Alberto's mom hasn't bought him anything yet for school. Do you think you can help him, too?” they asked. Alberto is a 4th grader with two younger sisters, and his mom is a single parent. All three children were added to the list.
For LUCHA Ministries, the work doesn't end once the bags are delivered. Currently, LUCHA Ministries is partnering with Olde Forge Junction, a ministry of Fredericksburg Area Baptist Association, which sponsors a program called Brain Builders. Brain Builders is a Christ-centered after-school program that provides tools and encouragement for academic success among at-risk children.
Programs such as these are very important, particularly for Spanish-speaking families where parents are unable to help with homework because of limited English or their own limited educational background. Partnering with this program allows LUCHA Ministries to extend its ministry to children and their families.