Note from the Director

Last night, while at a meeting, a group of people were discussing the quirks of life and the things we reflect back upon as we grow older. One person mentioned a saying about the fact that when laying on our deathbeds we never say “I wish I would have spent more time at the office.” I giggled a little to myself because my thought was “they must not truly love their work.” Now, don’t get me wrong and think that I love spending time in my office. That is a love/hate relationship. But I do love is the work that I am able to do in the community and with the schools, families, and volunteers. I might not lay on my deathbed and think I should have spent more time in the office but I certainly will be able to be humbled with the time I did spend in the office. When your co-workers and program volunteers become your family, the people you met become your mentors, and almost daily a child makes you smile it’s hard to say you don’t love your “office”.

-Katie Colbrese

Giving Thanks to a Great Partner

One of the greatest gifts we are given as a not-for-profit agency is housing partnership. Our goal is to always focus on the mission, in our case providing after-school tutoring and mentoring to area youth, opposed to concentrating heavy efforts on paying bills. Of course, we have bills that we must pay for but in our case many of those bills are supplies that go directly towards the children whether it be new school supplies, books, or even scarves and gloves. This project started as a mission of Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church in 1999 and emerged as a not-for-profit agency in 2007. SFLC has kept the deep partnership Good Shepherd Church through housing for our program, staff office space, and office supplies. It is that support than enables us to focus more attention towards the children and the needs of our program families.

The relationships between SFLC and community partners come in many shapes and forms. The relationship might be built through a sermon on Sunday morning where Rev. J.D. requests volunteers to help with the after-school effort of SFLC or the relationship can blossom by our staff members bouncing around the office preparing for the daily activities. SFLC is blessed to have such a gracious housing partner, friends from this partnerships, and to share in fellowship with all those entering the doors.

The relationship goes swing both ways. As much as Good Shepherd provides for SFLC, SFLC is providing for Good Shepherd in another light. See the note below from Rev. J.D.

Here at Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church we are very thankful for SFLC because the program enables the people of our church to become aware of the needs of their neighbors right here in Rock Island and then they are also able to make a positive contribution of time and talent and love to improve the lives of children in need. The professionalism and enthusiasm of the leadership of SFLC is inspiring. It is a program that was born out of the mission of our church 12 years ago and we rejoice in the growth that we continue to see. We look forward to see what God will continue to do in and through all of us. We are thankful for SFLC right now and we know that we will continue to be thankful for this wonderful program for many years into the future.

Rev. J.D. Georlett
Pastor, Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church
Rock Island Illinois

Notes from the Director

I am excited each week to write a quick note to our readers about my personal insight on the program. I hope that my words spark your curiosity and interest in our program as well as make you look deeper into the needs of our community.

This week I'd like to brag about one of our partner schools. In January 2011 we opened the third SFLC campus at Frances Willard Elementary in Rock Island. This campus focuses on English Language Learners, many of whom are refugees, and provides an after-school program where they can play games, read, and socialize to reinforce the English language. This is a new and exciting opportunity for SFLC.

For the first time we are in a school, when we typically are housed in churches. At all campuses we work to build strong relationships with the school administration and staff. School personnel provide insight to the needs of the youth and their families and an overall base knowledge of what our organization needs to provide for the community. I can honestly attest that Frances Willard is one of the most comfortable buildings I have ever entered. You can see love pouring from the hearts of the teachers at Frances Willard. The students’ needs are always top priority and the staff is very unique in their level of interest with the students they serve. Building relationships with the administration and staff at Frances Willard has been one of the most pleasant and rewarding experiences I have had at SFLC. I call my office an “open door” office, anyone is welcome in my room at any time and I very seldom shut my door for any reason. I look at Frances Willard as an “open door” school. Everyone is welcoming and inviting. It is an exceptional school with exceptional staff members!

Take Care-

Katie Colbrese, Director

Volunteer Highlight: Karen Beshears

It is fun for us to get insight on the volunteers thoughts and opinions on the hours they spend at SFLC. Check out what Karen Beshears has to say ...

Wednesday is my day with 5th & 6th graders who are full of energy and humor. Math is the challenge for the most part. When a child tries to solve decimal equations with fingers, it's the first clue that tutoring is needed. Cries of "I hate this game" or "I got it!" or "Cool!" fill the computer lab where kids are completing math problems to proceed to the next level in a computer game. This game let's them try to play basketball ... another shows a mountain climber who goes up when you solve a problem. You get the idea. Then they play battleship with misspelled words. Our staff members are great at finding the games, and thank you, they know how to solve the higher math problems in today's mathematics. The first group heads down the stairs for a "pow-wow" where they are working through the alphabet to find words no one else thinks of, with each letter being the beginning of a word that is a name, place, thing, and animal. Our volunteers are the judges to decide whether the word is correct. Great vocabulary builder. Along the way of working with the kids we hear stories about their day, their families, and their hopes and fears. Listening is the greatest gift we can give. And so we do. We could use another helper on Wednesdays, however. I hope we find help soon because one of our volunteers needs time off for surgery, and we need more opportunities for that one-on-one listening. I love it, I bet you would too!!!! –Karen Beshears, Volunteer

Karen Beshears serves as a volunteer tutor/mentor on Wednesday evenings at the SFLC Good Shepherd Campus in Rock Island. Karen served as President of the Board of Directors from 2008-2011. She is also a board member for the local Boys and Girls Club chapter.

Fundraising Success!

Thank you to everyone that attended the Spaghetti Dinner fundraiser at D’Alessandro’s! It was amazing to see all the support we have from community members, parents, and school personnel. The evening was full of lively conversation, tasty food, and most of all a common goal to provide free after-school programming to students in the Rock Island-Milan School District. The staff at D’Alessandro’s provided an exceptional event space and delicious food that made the night a true success!

SFLC would like to extend a special thanks to RJLee & Associates, MidAmerican Energy, and Ladies of Vital Essence for sponsoring tables at the event.

Spaghetti ... Yummmm!

D'Alessandro's Italian Restaurant in Rock Island is a name that will make your mouth water as you think about the rich and hearty meat sauces, perfectly tender pasta, and the delicious dish creations.

On November 9th, 2011 you can satisfy your taste buds while contributing to SFLC! From 5:30-8:00 p.m. D'Alessandro's will be hosting a spaghetti and meatball dinner with proceeds benefiting the SFLC after-school tutoring and mentoring program. Tickets are $15 per person and include a spaghetti and meatball dinner with salad and bread sticks. A cash bar will be available along with many raffle items!

To purchase ticket contact Katie Colbrese at kbonick.sflc@att.net or 309-794-2102.

Day One of Blogging

Hello friends! Welcome to the SFLC blog. In the upcoming weeks you will find new posts highlighting our fantastic volunteers, fabulous students, and our upcoming events.

SFLC is a free after-school tutoring and mentoring program for children in the Rock Island-Milan School District. We host children at three campuses including Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church, Rock Island, First Presbyterian Church, Milan, and Frances Willard Elementary, Rock Island. With the help of our caring volunteer tutors we are able to serve 120 children in grades 1-6 from 5 elementary schools; Eugene Field, Frances Willard, Ridgewood, Rock Island Center for Math and Science, and Thomas Jefferson. All students are referred to our program by their classroom teacher for extra assistance in reading, writing, and mathematics.

Please look for us on facebook (http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=100002915304666) and soon on twitter!

Cheers,
Katie Colbrese
Director