Congregations for Children

Summer Literacy Program Grant

April 12, 2022

Congregations for Children is accepting applications for supplementary funding for NCCUMC churches that are planning to host summer literacy programs for elementary school aged children. Aligned with our focus on Kindergarten through third grade literacy, we invite applications that demonstrate a focus on remediation and reinforcement of reading and writing skills, particularly for low-income children in your community. While the name of the summer program does not need to include “reading” or “literacy,” the successful applicant will demonstrate that a useful percentage of the children’s time will be devoted to advancing literacy skills.

Applications will be evaluated by a grant review team from the NCCUMC Congregations for Children Committee. The application deadline is May 8, and final awards will be communicated to applicants by May 20, 2022.

Apply Now

“Our Faith, Our Children, Our Public Schools” Webinar

March 31, 2022

How does the prophet Micah’s call for us “to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God” apply to the ways we serve and advocate for our low-income children who attend our public schools in North Carolina? Why should all people of faith care about the health of our public schools? How can we honor our Wesleyan heritage and actively support public school children and educators in our own communities?

Save the date and plan to join us for the free webinar “Our Faith, Our Children, Our Public Schools” sponsored by NCCUMC on Tuesday, May 3, at 7:00PM. Watch for registration and other program details coming soon!

Every Child NC Webinars and Newsletter

March 3, 2022

Every Child NC is one of C4C’s primary partners in our mission to advocate for public school children and educators in North Carolina. This edition of their most recent online newsletter is full of opportunities for clergy and laity across our conference to learn more – and do more – about the challenges that our public schools and public school children face. I would particularly direct your attention to the following parts of this newsletter:

The recording of the February 3, 2022 webinar “Leandro Case Updates: Q&A and the latest on Leandro v. State of North Carolina”
The recording of the February 23, 2022 webinar “Unpack The Plan for Black Students and Families”
“Mission Amplify”, a letter writing campaign to NC legislators, supporting the Leandro Plan, organized by our partner in public school advocacy, Pastors for NC Children
“Our Kids Can’t Wait Campaign” hosted by the NC Association of Educators (NCAE), focused on the efficient and effective use of federal COVID-19 relief funds in local school districts

Read the full Every Child NC February Newsletter.

I hope you will find this as valuable as I have in our shared mission of “Helping Children Affected By Poverty – Supporting NC Public Schools.”

Written by David Rockefeller, NCCUMC Director of Congregations for Children.

Upcoming Learning Opportunities

February 9, 2022

NC Child, one of our nonprofit partners engaged in advocacy for children, is offering free virtual learning opportunities in February and March that align with the mission and goals of Congregations for Children and the local outreach ministries of all of our NCCUMC churches. Learn more about the virtual events below.

NC Child Advocacy Virtual Learning Webinar
February 25, 2022

“You are a powerful voice for North Carolina’s kids. Are you ready to sharpen your advocacy skills? On Friday, February 25, NC Child is launching the Voices for Kids Learning Series with a two-part virtual workshop. Attend one or both sessions. Both are free and entirely online! Sessions will be available in both English and Spanish.”

NC Child 2022 Kids Virtual Conference
March 29 & 30, 2022

“2022 Kids is a two-day policy summit for North Carolina’s advocates for children. You are invited to help us:

– Learn from peers who are developing community-driven policy solutions,

– Deepen awareness and work on centering racial equity, and

– Connect and build power to advance racially equitably public policies.

Community-led advocacy is essential for building sustainable, racially equitable, and bold public policies that transform the lives of children and their families in North Carolina. As our communities continue to feel the impact of the pandemic, it is critical now more than ever for child advocates to understand how the voices of families who are directly impacted by policies can move to a central role in policy change efforts.”

Public Schools First NC Webinars

January 5, 2022

Public Schools First NC, one of C4C’s outstanding partners in advocacy for public schools and public school children, is offering two important webinars free of charge in January:

Legislative Updates
January 13, 7:00- 8:30pm

Join Representative Julie von Haefen as she discusses key issues related to public education from the 2021 legislative session.

Child Poverty in NC
January 20, 7:00- 8:30pm

Join a conversation with Gene Nichol and Heather Hunt, researchers with the NC Poverty Research Fund at UNC Law School. They will discuss sobering data from their new must-read report “The persistent and pervasive challenge of child poverty and hunger in NC.” Time will be provided for Q and A with the audience.

We hope you will join us as we learn together about ways we can continue to advocate for public education in NC and support public school children and their families in need in our own communities.

Help Us Celebrate Your 2021 Congregations for Children Activities

December 8, 2021

We want to hear about the ways your congregations have invested in meaningful relationships with your partner public schools through C4C.

Some examples:

Providing food for children on weekends through “Backpack Buddies” programs
Supplying clothing closets at school or church for children in need
Donating school supplies and materials to children and teachers
Hosting a book drive to donate new or gently used books to children
Hosting after school hours tutoring sessions at church or school
Being a reading buddy or mentor — in person or virtually — with a child
Earning a C4C Community Connectivity Mini Grant to provide technology assistance for on-line learners
Hosting teacher appreciation events
Attended or hosted a public education advocacy forum
Communicated with a member of the General Assembly or your local school board or county commissioners to advocate for public schools

Are there other ways your congregation has lived into the four areas of focus for Congregations for children (promoting K-3 literacy, meeting basic needs, volunteerism as a caring adult, public education advocacy)?

Let us know what you are doing at your local church so we can celebrate your successes and share ideas that can be replicated elsewhere to bless public school children and their teachers. Email David Rockefeller at drockefeller@nccumc.org.

Let’s celebrate what Congregations for Children is doing for our public school partners!