It is no secret that the city of Cincinnati has problems.  Issues such as violence and crime tend to accelerate when kids grow up without positive adult role models.  Families in local school systems are asking for caring adults to come alongside their kids.  Christians pray and say, "God, please help our city."  He looks back to those who follow Him and says, "You be the answer to that prayer - one life at a time."  Parkside has chosen to partner with Cincinnati Youth Collaborative to make a difference and be obedient to what God is saying.

Cincinnati Youth Collaborative (CYC) is a community based non-profit agency that provides mentoring, tutoring and College Access services to the Cincinnati Public School Districts’ 35,000 students.  The purpose of this collaborative is to equip and empower Parkside with the necessary tools to make a local impact in the lives of youth predominantly at Mt. Washington Elementary School and at Riverview East Academy, while at the same time helping CYC fulfill its mission to help youth graduate from high school and to complete post secondary experiences with the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and behaviors necessary to participate fully and responsibly in society.

So far over 40 people from Parkside have completed training to get involved in the One Life at a Time initiative this fall.  You may choose to partner as a:

One-on-One Mentor: Be matched with one student you see on a regular basis, at least one hour each week.  Activities are chosen by the mentor/mentee based upon mutual interests.  A mentor is someone who is willing to provide encouragement, help with schoolwork, social experiences and spiritual growth.

Academic Tutor:  An adult tutor meets with a student weekly at school for one hour or may tutor several students in 20 minute increments.

Lunch Buddy:  Lunch buddies go to a student's school and eats lunch for 30 minutes once a week for the entire school year.

Pen Pal:  Take an opportunity to write and respond to an assigned student's letters on a weekly basis.

All volunteers must be 18 and go through a mandatory 2 hour training session.  A background check is also completed.

The next training session will be held here at Parkside on Sunday, August 8th from 8:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.  Register online with CYC in advance at http://www.cycyouth.org/volunteer-application.php

If you have any questions, please send the Local Mission Team an This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .