PHONE: 302) 715-5318 FAX: 302) 715-5319
Our After-School Program Provides One-on-One Tutoring Along with Monthly Parent Information Sessions and Teen Group Meetings
Your support and contributions will enable us to meet our mission of ending the drop out rate. Your generous donation will fund our vision.
Keeping our children safe in today’s world seems almost impossible.
But, we have to do all that we can to ensure that evil finds no hiding place in our communities. We know that trouble finds its’ way into our communities, our villages, our schools, shopping centers, churches, the mall, and even our homes.
However, when the family is bonded together and communicates with one another on a daily basis, trouble finds it harder to rear its’ ugly head.
So, what can we do if we need help in these areas? Well, the “village” is always helpful in helping to keep our children safe and can be a dependable alternative when you have to work late or need a sitter. I prefer grandparents’ care because they have the bloodline connection. However, most areas of parenting must be “hands-on”. Parenting is one of God's most important callings.
Children are a gift and blessing from God (Psalm 127:3-5).
Too many of our children are afraid to come outside and play. It used to be natural to see our kids meeting their friends in the yard, riding their bikes, playing sports, or just having fun. There was friendly competition and bragging rights for the winner! The sound of their laughter brought a smile to your face because it indicated that they were having good, clean, childlike fun!
Sadly, this is not a reality for far too many of today’s youth.
Bad decisions, addictions, poverty, absentee fathers, violence, predators, human trafficking, abuse, and mental anguish have caused fear to grip our children and cause trauma-induced triggers that we cannot overlook. Trauma affects our children’s behavior, personal safety, mental, physical, and emotional health, educational achievement, and self-image.
Culprits like access to the internet, social media, television programming, trafficking, drugs/alcohol, and such has taken our children down a path that they are unprepared for. Once they have been exposed to the very things we try to protect them from, they can be hooked. Guilt and anxiety then sets in and causes devastating emotional problems that sometimes ends violently.
Consequently, we as adults have to be proactive in claiming and reclaiming our children. Although they may resist at first, children desire structure, limits, and boundaries.
This shows them that we care enough to tell them “NO.” Our “NO” may be the very thing that saves their lives one day. Our children were not created to be victims or perpetrators, but to serve mankind.
Pay close attention to the cry for help that our youth are “shouting in silence.” We must make ourselves available to listen, even when it is inconvenient. The life you change or save may belong to your own child. If you see concerning behavior changes in your child, seek help immediately (Dial 311), or contact your pastor.
JOYCE A. SESSOMS
ARK DIRECTOR
Your support and contributions will enable us to meet our mission of ending the drop out rate. Your generous donation will fund our vision.