Capital District

Ebenezer UMC in Raleigh has begun a new C4C partnership with Barwell Road Elementary School, a low-wealth school, just steps from the church. The church recently raised $750, which provided computers for 90 elementary school students and their families, along with personalized instruction from the volunteers who provided the computers.

Edenton Street UMC recently donated 1,208 books to Conn Elementary School children. The books were to be distributed as gifts to students to take home for their Summer Reading initiative. Conn is one of two downtown Raleigh elementary schools with which Edenton Street partners under the C4C umbrella.

Winstead UMC’s Hand In Hand ministry has partnered with Vick Elementary School since the 2000–2001 school year.  Some of the things they are involved in include: a yearly school supplies drive; prayer partners for teachers and staff; tutoring; classroom buddies; teacher appreciation events; Christmas Angel Tree for students and special worship services to celebrate the church/school partnership.  Winstead UMC continues to live out their calling to be the hands and feet of Christ in their community.

Four Oaks UMC recently collected over 274 books for the children of Four Oaks Elementary to take home and keep. These books will be given to students who may not have their own books at home and hopefully will encourage summer reading.  Included were books appropriate for younger and older siblings as well. 

Benson’s C4C journey with Jeffreys Grove Elementary School began in the 2015-2016 school year, but the congregation’s support of local elementary schools has deep roots. C4C helped us focus our efforts on a single, local school where we could have a personal, positive impact on disadvantaged students in primary school. The school identified literacy as its most pressing issue. Their “wish list” was for 25 tutors to help struggling students in Kindergarten and 1^st and 2^nd grade with basic reading skills. We surprised the school with 39 “reading buddies” who work with about 120 children. Our commitment to the school is to provide each of the children we tutor with Summer Reading Packs of at least five books to help them bridge the reading gap that can occur when the school year ends. Benson has embraced this ministry wholeheartedly and has been blessed by it.