Homework Club
Though we live in a society that is unrivaled in the history of the world in terms of economic prosperity, one does not need to look far – even here in the U.S. – to find those whose lives have been severely affected by multi-generational cycles of poverty and welfare dependence. For Covenant Mercies, we need to look only seven miles east of our offices, to Chester, PA. Chester is a city that has been plagued for decades by high rates of crime, inadequate education, and urban decay. At Covenant Mercies, we see these troubling conditions not as reason to flee but as reason to serve even more vigorously in the name of Jesus Christ. We believe that, as God’s people take up the mantle of servanthood, Chester is a context in which hope will prevail against all odds. As a result of this conviction, we have developed an after-school tutoring/mentoring program called “The Homework Club” as the centerpiece of our ministry in Chester. Under the leadership of a certified teacher, our trained volunteers work with approximately 20 students each week at “The Center” – Covenant Mercies’ home base on the city’s west side – helping the children to improve their reading and math skills. Many students return to the program year after year in appreciation of the way our tutors serve and love them. Our goal is to remain active in the children’s lives as they mature, helping them to succeed in confronting both the challenges and the opportunities associated with growing up in the city. |
