By: Winnie Morgan, Faith Initiative Coordinator at Durham’s Partnership for Children
Oxford Manor students and their families recently celebrated the end of the year tutoring program with CONDUIT (Churches of Northern Durham United In Intention) volunteers. At the event, families had an opportunity to register for YMCA Camp and learn about kindergarten readiness programs and resources. It was a fun time of celebration, recognition, and learning.
Students were given certificates that recognized their assets as well as gift bags, and a short entertainment program was presented by CONDUIT member Dorothy Clark. This was followed by bountiful delicious food for students and families including homemade yummy cookies. As families registered with Lakewood YMCA Summer Camp, I visited with families to see if they have preschoolers, particulary 4 and 5-year-olds who will attend kindergarten this fall or in 2015.
I shared Blast Off to Kindergarten Kits and talked with families about how to help their children get ready for school. At the end of the event, each child got to select several books furnished by CONDUIT and the Faith Initiative for summer reading, including board books for the youngest children. It was a wonderful celebration and recognition as well as a time to discover new resources.
CONDUIT is a collaboration of seven congregations in Northern Durham that started in 1988. Their outreach ministry and efforts in working with Oxford Manor families have been exemplary and a great example of our faith community’s work in Durham County.
Pictured left to right: Beverly Fann (Greater Orange Grove Baptist Church), Diane Weller (Aldersgate UMC), Colleen Anna (Aldersgate UMC), Kathy Pittman (Grace Lutheran Church), Theresia McGee (Greater Orange Grove Baptist Church), Pat Jones (Mt. Sylvan UMC), Bobbie Reeves (Mt. Sylvan UMC), Lolly Holmes (Duke’s Chapel UMC), and Dorothy Clark (Mt. Level Missionary Baptist Church). Not pictured: Barbara Cameron (Mt. Level Missionary Baptist Church).
