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A Hand Up for Inner City Kids
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To Sister Joyce McMullen, Director of Project Care and Concern, every at-risk child deserves a "hand up."
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"In the inner city, children are afraid they will be shot if they go out to the playgrounds," says Sister Joyce McMullen, Director of Boston's Project Care and Concern. The social service agency, located at the center of urban violence, places inner city children in summer camps
and provides funding for them to attend. One of those camp programs is Crossroads for Kids, which mentors children from early grades all the way through high school. The Crossroads program culminates in a two-week back-packing trip for teens to Wyoming, community service projects and college tours.
"We offer opportunities that change perspectives and change lives," says Sister Joyce. "All of the camp programs we partner with are dedicated to helping children thrive."
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Celebrating God's Gift of Creation
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In Appalachia or the inner city, helping children celebrate God's gift of creation is paramount for the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur.
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At Sister Kathy O'Hagan's Web of Life Ecology Program in the mountains of West Virginia, many children arrive malnourished and ill-clothed. According to Sister Kathy, 60 percent of the children in the community qualify for free school lunches and breakfasts. That is one reason why her free summer program is critical to the children's well-being.
"Our grilled cheese sandwiches are just as important as our pottery-making sessions or swim time," says Sister Kathy. "We offer healthy outlets, nourishment and stimulation to children whose parents cannot afford a car or weekly groceries, let alone a fun vacation."
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