beneficiaries

FAITHWORKS OF THE INNER CITY, INC.

$100,000
EDUCATION

FaithWorks of the Inner city

FaithWorks of the Inner City seeks to transform the future of one of the poorest and most violent communities in our state by empowering the community surrounding Shidler Elementary School with educational opportunities for three distinct groups: three-year-olds, teenagers and parents. Understanding that our students begin school with significant disadvantages and the task of learning a second language (English), we will provide a jumpstart to learning for our three year olds with the implementation of preschool programs for mothers and children. With a dropout rate of 46% in the ninth grade and realizing that our teenagers are faced with potentially life-altering decisions each day, FaithWorks will provide a safe place for teens to gather life and work skills, experience enrichment opportunities, and receive tutorial assistance with homework.

For our parents, many ranging in age from 16-21, we will offer educational tools to assist them in preparing their children for entry into public school, parenting techniques and communication skills, as well as individual and family counseling. Educational opportunities provided by local vocational schools will be offered to parents invested in these programs, as well as opportunities for future employment at the FaithWorks Center. The Tots to Teens program has the potential to impact over 2,500 families living in this community by decreasing the dropout rate, adding to the work force, and providing useful parenting tools. A new facility (the Impact Tots to Teen House) will open in the fall 2010 to host those programs.