I am happy to announce that we may have a new volunteer joining us in the next couple weeks. While I will not add new students because this volunteer will be coming on Wednesdays, and I find myself a volunteer or two short on this day, it will make things much less hectic for me and give the students attending on this day more attention for their needs.
In other news, we are really excited for the Christmas Gospel concert coming up in one week, December 13, 3-6, at hour home. Tickets are just $10/person, $15/couple and $5 with a donation of kid sized water, stickers, children’s books (for more ideas, email me at kvellenga@listhelps.org). If you have not bought your tickets or sent an RSVP, please do so, so that we will know how many people to expect. To buy tickets, go to www.listhelps.org. If you cannot attend but would like to donate to us, go to the link above. If you want to pay at the door, please send me an email at the address listed above. It should be a great time, with great music, and you’ll get to hear about what we’ve been up to, and meet some of our students!
One thing that has been interesting to observe this year, is that our turnover rate for students leaving LIST has shrunk. At times, due to after school programs offered at the school, or family issues, or for other reasons, students will stop coming to LIST. If there is a way we can help the family (by providing scholarships, or attempting to switch tutoring times) we always do so. This year, I have observed that our turnover rate has become really low. Part of the reason I am not able to move through our waiting list is due to the need for more volunteers, but the other reason is that the students that are attending are consistently coming day to day, week to week. With this consistency in attendance, our impact becomes even greater in the students lives. It is an example of how valuable our work is; there is a commitment on all sides, the parents and ours, to the work we are doing. It encourages me greatly, even though it means I am consistently turning families away with students that need assistance, I at least know there is a good reason.
