Can you believe we're approaching the end of September already? It seems as though summer school just started. Even though it has been hectic at times, we have gotten all of the children settled in the new school year. We would like to give you some updates on what's been going on around the shelter, so take a few moments to read all about it. 

Recently, sixteen-year-old Caleb Gardener chose Good Neighbor Center as the recipient of his Eagle Scout Project.  He built custom bookshelves for our teacher's area in the staff room.  Caleb invested over 150 hours of his time planning blueprints, buying supplies, and building the beautiful bookshelves in the picture to the right.  These bookshelves will help us stay organized and allow our teacher to better serve our students during summer school.  Thank you, Caleb, for all that you have done for our shelter!  We are able to help so many families because of people in our community like you.

Earlier this year, GNC had a community garden built as an Eagle Scout project from another young man in our community.  It was filled with plants donated by Whole Foods Market in Bridgeport Village and tended by our students as part of summer school.  However, the students have gone back to school and there is no one to tend our beautiful garden now.  We are looking for a volunteer or group of volunteers to tend our garden a few times a month so that we can harvest from it all year.  If you are interested, please contact Heidi at 504-443-6084 or volunteer@goodneighborcenter.org.

On the last day of our ten week Summer School, Liddy Schmidt was offered a job teaching fourth grade in Yelm, Washington.  This was the fulfillment of a lifelong dream for her, but left the Good Neighbor Center suddenly bereft of a Student/Parent Advocate.  The advocate works with school districts to assure the proper placement of children living in our shelter, runs our Homework Club and Summer School, and works with teens and adults who want to continue their education.

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