As we seek support for Operation Shoestring, we’re sometimes asked, “What difference are you making in the lives of the children and families you serve?” It’s an important question, and we asked Kim Luckett, Project KIDS Coordinator, to give us her take. She oversees the daily afterschool programming, so we knew she’d have great insight.
“Certainly, we reinforce the lessons that children are learning in school and we ensure that they complete their homework and that they understand it. By simply doing this, we make a difference in their lives – only at Shoestring can these children receive personalized and extensive tutoring,” Kim explained.
“It’s also fun to see second-graders speaking to each other in Spanish. Sometimes I have to pretend that I know what they’re saying! Without Shoestring, these children wouldn’t have the opportunity to learn another language. And we know from research that children who learn a second language do better in school.”
“But we make a difference in other ways. Children feel safe here. We help them understand that some of the realities of their neighborhood – like poverty, callousness or violence – do not have to be their reality. I am so encouraged when I see a six-year-old child take off his coat to offer it to a child without one. When I see the courtesy these children show to one another and to our staff, I realize that our “character enhancement” lessons really work,” Kim said.
“Probably the most meaningful difference I’ve seen recently is the difference these young children make in their very own families. For example, through the Family Reading Bonds program, families are learning to make time to read together. One mother told me two weeks ago that her child came home and said, ‘Turn off the TV. We’re reading!’ When the father came home from work and asked why the TV wasn’t on as usual, his daughter sat him down to read to him for 30 minutes. Because of that young child, the family is now bonding around reading. I don’t know that they would have without Shoestring.”
Operation Shoestring is fortunate to have such committed staff members like Kim Luckett. We’re also fortunate to have the support of the community and of people like you. Thank you for your interest in seeing that this work is possible!
