1. Our Kids

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

6. 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

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

10. Need to think of all Kids as our Kids

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

12. My friend Janet

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

17. 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

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

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

20. 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

21. 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

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