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Greetings!
 It's hard to believe that 2008 is drawing to a close! Throughout the year, we've handed out Easter baskets brimming with coloring books and candy; sleeping bags and other necessities for summer camp; backpacks filled with pencils, paper and binders; brand new tennis shoes to start the school year; and Thanksgiving baskets filled with turkey and all the trimmings for a family dinner. We're gearing up now for Christmas gifts, dinners, and new sweatsuits for each child.
Each day, between 60 and 75 kids walk through the doors of Fortress YDC. From the preschoolers who can't wait for circle time to the high schoolers who are tutoring their peers in math... from the 1st grader who dreams of being a scientist to the freshman who is reading above his grade level for the first time in his life... from the 14-year old who recently met a Father who loves her unconditionally to the toddler who knows "Jesus Loves Me" by heart....
these children, along with the staff of Fortress Youth Development Center want to thank you for being a part of this ministry. The blessings bestowed here couldn't happen without your support. Your monetary contributions and the donation of your time and talents make this ministry what it is - from day-to-day operations to special projects and events, we couldn't do it without you. As you consider your year-end gifts, remember Fortress Youth Development Center, and continue helping us ignite hope in the lives of our youth!
Merry Christmas from our families to yours!
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| Fall For Fortress Dinner Auction |
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$18,000 raised!
 Fortress thanks the 150+ supporters who attended the dinner, the 100+ donors who provided auction items, the Planning Committee who worked tirelessly to make it all look easy, and especially the countless volunteers who spent hours soliciting and collecting items, setting up and tearing down the room, and providing other support wherever it was needed. We're also extremely grateful to Legacy Church of Christ for generously allowing us to use their facilities at no cost to us. With your help, we were able to raise $18,000 for the programs at Fortress Youth Development Center!
Committee Chairs Needed for 2009
The planning committee for our 2nd Annual Fall for Fortress Dinner Auction is seeking dedicated volunteers to help steer and plan next year's event. Specifically, we're in need of dynamic, energetic individuals to serve on our Group Involvement Committee. If you're interested in learning more about spearheading your group/class/ church's involvement in this wonderful event, please contact 2009 Fall for Fortress Chairperson Stacy Kocur: stacy@fwydc.org. |
| Building Blocks Early Learning Center |
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 Progress Report
Fortress launched its preschool program in September of this year with an enrollment of nine children. Its goal was to enroll three more by the end of the year, for a total enrollment of twelve. As of this writing, Building Blocks is enjoying an enrollment of fifteen precious children ages 18 months to 5 years!
Directed by Terri Henson and staffed entirely by volunteers, Building Blocks is already proving to be a desperately needed service in our community. Upon arrival (some take advantage of our van route, and others come with their parents), the children are fed a nutritious snack, fueling them for the rigorous fun of learning, playing and exercising - all important components of the Building Blocks schedule. Alongside the standard pre-school curriculum of colors, ABCs and manners, Building Blocks' kids are blessed with an abundance of hugs, laughter and constant reminders that they are beloved children of God. After a hot lunch prepared by Ms. D, the younger kids settle down for naptime while the older ones enjoy age-appropriate games and play.
This fall, Building Blocks has enjoyed puppet shows, a trip to the pumpkin patch, arts and crafts, story time, tumbling classes, science lessons and more!
Help Needed
Terri needs volunteers on Wednesdays in particular. If you can teach, play, hug or otherwise make a difference in this worthwhile program, you're perfect for the job! Contact terri@fwydc.org. |
| Fortress Literacy Center |
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 Come see our Dream Wall!
FLC is blessed daily by the presence of 60 enrolled students in grades 1 through 12. Every day at 3:15, the building comes alive with the buzz of excited voices and lively footsteps as the kids file through the front doors. "Hi, my name is Juan and I'm seven years old, and I want to be a scientist when I grow up," says one bright-eyed 1st grader. Each student greets the staff in this way upon entering Fortress, and we used this theme to develop our brand new "I Have A Dream Wall". Each child posed for a photo with props that illustrate their dreams, and then created a mosaic tile with their photo in the center. Eventually, these tiles will be installed on the walls of Fortress and will serve as a daily reminder that we are all children of God with the ability to achieve our dreams. We invite you to visit soon and see our Dream Wall up close!
Volunteer Needed!
Fortress needs a handyman to help us display the tiles. They won't be permanantly adhered to the walls, so you don't need experience with tile installation. We have the basic idea of how we want to achieve it - we just need the manpower. :) Contact stacy@fwydc.org if you can help.
Part-Time Job Opening
FLC is taking applications for an additional Literacy Center staff member. Candidates should have a passion for working with kids and a heart for service. Job responsibilities include driving an after-school van route, assisting with labs and homework, and coordinating field trips. Email kristen@fwydc.org for more details and an application. |
| GOT PHOTOS? |
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 Fortress wants your photos!
Do you have pictures from a Fortress event? Did your youth group or volunteer group take photos while they were here? If so, we'd love to add them to our archive! Sharing them with us is easy with two different options: mail hard copies to the office, or upload digital files to our online account. Email stacy@fwydc.org for details. |
| WISH LIST |
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Fortress relies on financial and in-kind donations to operate. Here are a few ways you can help this holiday season!
- white copy paper
- white cardstock
- 2 laptop computers
- 2 30" 2-shelf bookcases
- peanut butter crackers
- 100% juice boxes
- small gifts for incentives/prizes (key chains, candy, pencils, pens, stickers, small toys, etc)
- Christian Hip Hop CDs by Lecrae, Tedashii, Trip Lee, Sho Bakra, (Reachrecords.com-to order in bulk) Flame (Crossmovement records). Most CDs are also sold in Christian Bookstores. These will be given to the students as gifts, rewards and incentives.
- Sam's gift cards
- gas gift cards
- Office Depot gift cards
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Later this month, watch for some long overdue updates to our website, including an introduction to new employees, a Student-of-the-Month feature, volunteer opportunities, and a list of our Fall for Fortress Auction Dinner donors.
For His Children,
Fortress Youth Development Center
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