Each school year LWCC runs an after-school program from 2:15pm-5pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays
serving elementary school children in second through fifth
grade and every Wednesday for Jr. High youth, grades sixth,
seventh and eighth. This community ministry is under the supervision of adult
volunteers who reflect the diversity of the children, including
volunteers who are bilingual in Spanish to aid the students and
parents of Hispanic descent who are not fluent in English. The staff
is comprised of professed Christians who give sacrificially of their
volunteer time out of a strong motivation to serve children and
youth. Staff model to the youth up-lifting styles of communication
and caring, teaching how people are meant to live in community with
one another.
The program starts by recruiting our students from past participants and new youth and families in the area who want to retain our services. Then, staff meet with the families and youth, identify and describe our procedures and goals. Next, staff meet with the teachers and administrative personnel of Kilmer Elementary School to identify any problems or concerns that need addressing and together come up with viable and effective measures to work with all involved to try and achieve our goals. As a unified, cohesive group we feel that we can positively guide our youth in a socially acceptable path to adulthood. The directors make sure our case load is workable for the staff on hand, not to exceed three students per staff. The staff meets regularly to make sure that our goals remain appropriate and attainable. We plan on maintaining as many of our youth as possible in our summer programs to insure as little recidivism as possible.
The LWCC after-school program serves children in the Rogers Park neighborhood who attend Kilmer Elementary School, located two blocks from the church. Kilmer School reflects the diversity of the neighborhood, with a student population that is 60% Hispanic, 27% African American, 8% Asian, and 5% Caucasian. However, 93.4% of the families served by Kilmer School receive free and reduced lunches. Like many Chicago Public Schools, Kilmer suffers from overcrowding and low performance on annual standardized tests. Adjacent to Kilmer Elementary is Sullivan High School, where most Kilmer students will attend. The problems of drug and gang-related violence in Rogers Park are prevalent at Sullivan. Due to the proximity of the two schools, Kilmer students are routinely targeted by older students for bullying and gang recruitment. As students exit the school doors each day, members of LWCC who live near by witness the droves of children and teens walking past the church, often fighting with one another. When the high school lets out, Chicago Police are present daily at the intersection where the church sits. In this context, LWCC seeks to provide a safe environment for children to socialize and learn through quality educational activities, including homework help, individual tutoring, character education, cooperative games, and field trips. The after-school program gives students an alternative to the drug, gang and violent activity that takes place on the streets after school.
