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Unpacking A Child's Baggage
Metro, New York -- When arriving at camp each summer, children come with over packed suitcases and gym bags. Pockets and open zippers are often stuffed with last minute items either they or mom remembered. There's a different kind of baggage many bring when attending Newark Gospel Tabernacle's Summer Day Camp. Their arms may be empty, but emotions are full of doubt, mistrust and hurt.
High crime and substance abuse surrounded the two New Jersey neighborhoods where Newark Gospel Tabernacle (NGT) decided to hold Summer Day Camps last year. Each day over two hundred children and youth ages four to sixteen were treated to two good meals and a snack. Experienced public school teachers and other volunteers taught students in the areas of love, respect for self and others, forgiveness as well as self-esteem. This was implemented through the use of videos, arts and crafts, lessons and group discussions. As an added bonus, one group explored the aquarium in South Jersey while the other went to Space Farms. Craving adult attention, many were sad when camp ended. Eleven-year-old Zack said, "Please let's keep going. Don't stop the camp now."
His father wasn't in the picture and Zack's mother was gone a lot trying to provide the basics of life. Enjoying an adult's interest, this fifth grader was Administrator Annie West's shadow for the first couple days of camp. Reading at a seventh grade level, he was academically motivated during the class sessions and gradually began to relax with his peers. "Zack was one student that was a pleasure to teach because of his willingness to learn," commented Annie. "We could never have accomplished so much without Operation Blessing. Thank you for helping make our summer program a total success."
Newark Gospel Tabernacle is one of twenty-five ministries and churches in Metro New York, which participated in OBI New York's Bless-A-Child program last summer. Hundreds of adult volunteers invested in the lives of 3,486 children and youth through camps as well as work projects, tutoring and mentoring programs. In addition to supporting these activities with local businesses, individuals and churches, Operation Blessing supplied resources including Bibles, videos, comic books, food and clothing.
OBI's Metro New York director Jim Esposito shares, "Operation Blessing empowers ministries to give a voice to children in New York City and across America. Because of what we've all been through as a nation, this coming year is the most important year for Bless-A-Child ever!"
Bless-A-Child 2002 is upon us! Last year, Operation Blessing's faithful partners invested in more than 103,000 children and youth around the world! We need your help in making Bless-A-Child 2002 extraordinary.
Please generously invest in their future today!
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