Well folks, January is National Mentoring Month, and I think it is time that some of us step up to the plate and take our once-a-month-serving to full life engagement.
It is one thing to to do some work for a couple hours a month, it is another thing to change the trajectory of child’s life that would otherwise be destined to repeat a cycle of failure, poverty, and oppression. If anyone should be leading this, it is the church. We have a hope that no one else has.
So, we are teaming up Communities in Schools and Hands on Central Texas for 1 Hour For Kids in Zavala Elementary and Martin Middle School:
I know, I have the same objections: I don’t have the time. The location isn’t ideal. Maybe next year when I have more time. The truth is, none of these objections will ever leave, this is why they call it ‘sacrificial giving/living.‘ But more importantly, the time you have to give (1 hour a week), the distance you have to go out of your way in travel, and committing now as opposed to next year (which is always next year), is nothing compared to difference that will be made in the life of a child in need.
Why these schools? Austin New Church is wanting to begin to invest in and enhance a local community, and what better way to do this than partnering with one of our churches – Soli Deo Gloria. But for me, the statistics demand it!
Martin Middle School:
- 91.6% of the students are considered Economically disadvantaged, compared to a state percentage of 55%
- 4.8% are students with disciplinary placements which is double the amount of the states average of 2.3%
- 63.9% are considered at-risk compared to the states average of 48.4%
Zavala Elementary:
- 93.2% of the students are considered Economically disadvantaged, compared to a state percentage of 55%
- 0.3% are students with disciplinary placements which is double the amount of the states average of 2.3%
- 73.5% are considered at-risk compared to the states average of 48.4%
All you need to do is fill out this volunteer application, and lets make a difference in Martin and Zavala with our partners Communities in Schools and Hands on Central Texas.
about it. In fact, on March 6th Armando will be doing a community project leadership training for Restore Austin at Austin New Church. To find out more about the training, click 
We often times, just think of our passions and the need and we forget to ask what neighbors care about (I confess, I’m guilty of doing this in the past). Taking the time to ask people why they’re involved or what issues are important to them builds bridges and trust, especially in low-income neighborhoods. Ever wonder why some projects work in some neighborhoods and not in others? Part of the reasons projects don’t get traction or even work is because neighbors weren’t involved in the process; they weren’t asked for their input and so people don’t come out to support the effort. This is why it’s important to take the time to ask people what they care about; what their aspirations are for their neighborhoods and getting them involved. Taking the time to balancing these three approaches will help not only you with your project but neighborhoods in the long-run.
