According to the 6th graders' most recent Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) test results, the answer is a resounding "Yes!"

Harambee 6th graders, deep in thought.

Here's how Harambee 6th graders performed (keeping in mind that the national average is the 50th percentile): 

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Math

National Percentile: 86th

Average Growth: 2.6 years 

Percent Who Met / Exceeded Growth Targets from Fall to Spring: 100%

This awesome achievement is just one more affirmation of the decision to add middle school to Harambee. We are excited to see our students grow even more personally and academically as they enter the 7th grade next school year!

We can't help but note that in the same year that our 6th graders achieved these exceptional academic results, they were also the class most engaged in small group Bible studies and one-on-one mentoring.

Every Sunday, Harambee middle school students are able to attend the AMP meeting at Xenos Christian Fellowship's 

4th Street Pavillion, where they enjoy games, music, and 

learning more about the Bible.

In addition to this, every other Friday 6th and 7th grade students meet to play basketball, eat pizza, and study the Bible at Harambee Community Center in South Linden.  Other age and gender based groups also meet to fellowship and study the Bible throughout the week. 

Mr. B and his mentee!

Most middle school students also benefit from UC's

Mentoring Program, by meeting one-on-one with a volunteer mentor throughout the week to receive personal and academic support.

Urban Concern knows the importance of education in community transformation.  Working to see our youth succeed academically AND spiritually serves to better holistically develop them as young men and women who can be agents of positive change in South Linden and the world. 

Through quality education and sincere spiritual investment, it is our hope to see Harambee's first middle school class lead the way for future generations of students to bring about God's great transformation in our community.

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Major: Education in drama, language arts, children's literature and reading education

Occupation: Teacher's Aide

 

Urban Concern is excited to introduce one of our awesome teacher aides, Stacy Chen.  Stacy brings a big smile to everyone'es face with her loving attitude for the students of Harambee Christian School.  Stacy also volunteers with the Renegade ministry at Xenos Christian Fellowship, as well as International Friendships Inc.

 

Here's what Stacy had to say about her time working with UC:

 

"I started volunteering after I came to the United States from Taiwan in 2009. I've been volunteering ever since, until becoming a teacher's aide this year."

 

Stacy has been deeply impacted by her time working with Urban Concern:  "Urban Concern's love for the students is consistent and abundant and deeply motivated me to be used by God in such a powerful way.  God has given me a role in helping kids with their character development and academic success through His great patience and unconditional love for me.  I've never felt so encouraged than by helping students make progress in their learning and their character development.  This has also grown my faith in what God is doing here. It's amazing!"

 

To anyone considering getting involved Stacy says,  "To see the smiles on children's faces, to witness their achievement, and to experience the joy  of God's work through the body of Christ is very up-lifting. I encourage everyone to prayerfully consider what impact you could have on the students' lives by mentoring them or by volunteering.  I've seen changes not only in me but also in them. "

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If you are interested in making a difference in the lives of our students and families like Stacy, visit urbanconcern.org to see how you can get involved!

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You can give to God's work in South Linden just by shopping at Kroger!

Registering your Kroger Plus Card is easy.  Even if you've registered in the past, shoppers must re-enroll every year. 

The good news is that signing up for community rewards does NOT effect your personal fuel perks savings - so you still get your fuel perks AND Urban Concern gets money!

To register, visit Kroger Community Rewards. 

For step by step instructions on how to register, click here. 

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