Connect 2 Kids is growing! We asked Emily Frazier, LISW-S, Clinical Director of our Children’s Residential Center to share more about this volunteer program and the new way to give of your time and talents.
Connect2Kids (C2K) is an incredible volunteer program where people who love Jesus get to put His love into action and follow His command to love. This program offers the ability to fellowship, teach, and guide hurting boys and girls on our residential campus.
Our current C2K volunteers come into kids’ lives once a week and typically provide a meal, an activity and a devotion or lesson focused on Jesus or other Bible stories. We are looking to expand this program to include individuals who have a specific skill and a desire to help kids find a new spark, passion or coping skill that they can use for long-term success.
For so many kids in residential, their lives have been filled with hurt, abandonment and rejection. They’ve never taken a dance or music lesson. They’ve never tried out for a school play or played a team sport. They lack the confidence to try new things because they have always fallen behind their peers.
The expansion of our C2K program allows our kids and teens to explore new interests and find something they enjoy. We hope the experience will guide them into pro-social activities when they finish their residential stay and get back into their communities.
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This week, our residential youth and staff put on the annual Campus Talent Show to an audience made up of staff and peers. What an amazing time to see our kids and teens share their unique abilities. Beautiful voices. Incredible artwork. Creative dances. Heartfelt expression. So many special giftings that had the opportunity to shine and be celebrated.
Program staff came alongside our residents to assist with costumes and performances. They also contributed through dynamic performances of their own — much to the delight of everyone in attendance.
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Consider your skill set and pray about serving with C2K Individual. Teaching six weeks of soccer or eight weeks of theatre could impact a youth for a lifetime. We’re looking for volunteers to serve once a week for a six- or eight-week session. Perhaps the time and encouragement you give will be part of next year’s talent show.
Learn more about this new opportunity at ccho.org/volunteer or contact Campus Pastor Tim Hartzler at hartzlert@ccho.org or 330.345.7949, ext. 2597.
