Our Kids

My youngest Brother, Armando Lee Armando joined our family in 1979. He was 7 years old at the time. He is originally from Guatemala.

The State of Michigan’s Kids 69% of Michigan’s 4th graders are unable to read at grade level 70% of Michigan’s 8th graders are not proficient at math

Let the Children Come to Me For to such belongs God’s Kingdom

Need to think of all Kids as our Kids

Ideas for Our Kids Upward Sports Leagues Sponsored by Churches Freedom Schools Mentoring programs

My friend Janet

Let the Children Come to Me For to such belongs God’s Kingdom

Suggestions to Change Childhood Poverty Rates High Quality Early Childhood Education and Development Programs Helping parents with family leave Providing coaching and home visits for and with parents Investing in public education More intensive mentoring of kids like helping them with their homework and how to write college application essays ending pay to play for sports teams

Single Biggest Factor to change poverty rates: GETTING TO ATTEND COLLEGE!

Ways to open doors to kids in poverty Scholarships and other monetary assistance for college Internships or apprenticeships Letters of Reference

Other Ideas for Local Churches Partnership with Head Start and Local Public Schools Assistance to parents with family leave needs Coaching parents/parenting groups Mentoring kids and or parents Tutoring for kids in reading and math Providing school supplies or food for kids in school Scholarships for “pay to play” Scholarship program for college for kids of non members and members

Prayer of the Children Song By Kurt Bestor Listen to the words Listen to our children Pray and ask God to show us what we can do and how we can respond

Let the Children Come to Me For to such belongs God’s Kingdom