September 26, 2024
Read below from Jenn Burkholz, our Youth Empowerment Specialist, about how your support is changing young lives in our city!
Recently, I hung a large, colorful paper “quilt” on the wall in my office. Elementary, middle and high school students in the Homework Helpers and Youth Impact Group created squares, which were then creatively arranged into a quilt by Columbia Art League. We ended up naming this project our “Collaboration Quilt.” The students represent a colorful assortment of schools: Columbia Public Schools, Hallsville, Christian Fellowship, Christian Chapel and peer tutors from City Garden. The students come from a patchwork of countries: Afghanistan, South Sudan, Eritrea, Congo, Uganda, Vietnam, Myanmar. We also have tutors from many different countries:Italy, Pakistan, Turkey, South Korea, South Africa, Eritrea and Uganda, among others.
I smile every time I look at those paper squares. It reminds me of the kids and the true goal behind these programs. Of course, the Homework Helpers program provides help with homework.. But really…we do so much more! It is a “patchwork” of activities, meaningfully chosen to boost academic skills, close learning gaps, build social skills and most importantly, help kids see that learning doesn’t only happen in school and can be fun!
Every Homework Helpers session begins with a trip to the playground. After playground time it is academic time. Students with homework are paired with a tutor and given a quiet space to work. Students who do not have a specific assignment participate in focused math and reading time. Some nights, we have guest visitors who do a presentation or activity with the kids. Past activities include art nights, gingerbread house decorating, trips to Bonkers, Rock Bridge State Park, financial BINGO with First State Community Bank, and more.
For middle and high school students, we offer the Youth Impact Program. There are many squares that make up the quilt of YIG: academics, ACT prep, financial literacy, social emotional learning, careers and college preparation. While academic support is certainly one important component of the program, it is not the sole focus. Youth Impact strives to help students develop the skills to successfully navigate high school and prepare them for life after graduation. This summer we took campus tours of Central Methodist University, Columbia College and Mizzou. We have had guest presentations from Boone County Historical Society, Rotary Club, Ragtag Cinema, a drum circle and students extracted DNA from strawberries with a professor from the MU School of Education. YIG students also completed a project over the course of summer and fall 2023 where they learned about photography and movie making. Students then produced their own short films reflecting on their lives, journey to Columbia, and how they feel about life in the U.S. This fall, First State Community Bank will be doing monthly financial literacy lessons.
Another aspect of Youth Impact that students look forward to is the weekly dinner with tutors and any guest presenters. Although it began as simply feeding hungry kids, it has evolved into a treasured time of fostering community, sharing experiences, and building experiences through trying new foods! After a long day of school, club meetings and sports practices, the kids are hungry!
One week, students asked for buffalo wings because they often heard their American friends talking about them and were eager to try it for themselves. After the meal, a student said “I get why everyone goes crazy over these now.” Another night, dinner was a taco bar. A student from Africa shyly whispered to me that he had never had tacos before and didn’t know how to assemble one. So we worked together to build his taco. Just recently a tutor told me that a student told her that Thursdays are his favorite meal of the week because it’s the only night he gets something other than rice and one small piece of chicken.
It’s small moments like these that I treasure, and am thankful that I get to be a part of adding squares to the quilt of their lives.
Sincerely
Jennifer Burkholz
School Liaison
Interested in presenting, providing an activity or sponsoring a meal? Contact Jennifer at jenn.burkholz@cityofrefugecolumbia.org.
City Boutique is more than a thrift store. It’s now providing almost 10% of City of Refuge’s annual budget to help make our refugee care and programs happen. It’s also providing a place to serve together.
Come make a difference and leave with new friends! The camaraderie and laughter behind the scenes at City Boutique is something special. People of all ages and backgrounds exchanging stories and banter while sorting through donations. Bring yourself, a friend or family member and spend a few hours joining in on the fun while volunteering at City Boutique. There is a place for everyone!
Join us for our second Holiday Market, showcasing local (and refugee) vendors! We have a few vendor spots available and are now looking for volunteers to help us make the event happen. Click below to see how you can be a part of the magic.
