Volunteer Raves about Experience Tutoring at Trinity

The following is an excerpt from a speech that Karen Krauss gave at the BHITC Volunteer Appreciation brunch in the spring.

Good Morning. This is the day that the Lord hath made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.

We are Ted and Karen Krauss, members of Royal Redeemer Lutheran Church in North Royalton.

Ted and I were married in April of 2006. In October of that year an announcement about tutoring appeared in our church bulletin. I called to get the details.  When Ted heard the location, West 30^th, he decided to drive up from his job in Akron to join me on Thursday evenings. We just completed our third year of tutoring.

I vaguely recall the first night of tutoring; but every Thursday, as the start time draws near, the children begin pouring in – we meet in the basement and as they enter, usually running across the floor upstairs, they sound like a herd of buffalo! Coming down the stairs, walking, running, jumping or sauntering, they come in to the room where they encounter Mary Forsythe who warmly greets each child by name and sometimes a hug – no matter what the student’s age.

Tutoring is the one area of the children’s lives that is consistent – their happy little faces show up week after week looking for their tutor. Sometimes they have homework, sometimes not, but they know that their tutor is someone who will spend one hour totally focused on them.

Proverbs 22:6 – Train up a child in the way that he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it. As tutors, we leave an imprint, which, in most cases, we will never know how that one hour will impact the lives of these children.

The name of the student I worked with this year is Mustafa – he’s 12 years old and in the 6^th grade. I want to share with you the note he recently wrote to me…

Dear tutor,

I really like the things that you teach me. You told me things beyond what I already knew.  I might not be the best person you know, but you’re the best person that I know: and if you were a teacher, I would be your 1^st student.

Karen Krauss (center) with husband Ted Krauss and volunteer Jennifer Forsythe

BHITC Participates in Bridges out of Poverty Workshop

On Saturday, thirty Building Hope volunteers and leaders from other organizations participated in a workshop put on by Jodi Pfarr of aha! Process.  Jodi, of Minneapolis, Minnesota, has years of experience providing services to those living in poverty through her work with Catholic Charities and The Salvation Army.  Jodi shared her ideas and expertise with dedicated volunteers and leaders as we strive to fulfill our mission to serve those in need here in Cleveland.  The Building Hope staff will be meeting to brainstorm ways to incorporate these ideas throughout our ministry areas.
Anyone interested in learning more about the topic of poverty is encouraged to read the book “Bridges Out of Poverty” by Ruby Payne.  Participants at the workshop received this book to compliment the material provided throughout the program.

Cleveland City Stars come to Building Hope in the City

Written by Marc Cohen

On Tuesday we had the wonderful opportunity to partner with the Cleveland City Stars, a professional soccer team,to have a soccer clinic on the field behind our office. It was a great evening that started a bit slow, but once everyone arrived we had a great time. The great part is that it joined people from all over the world in a sport they all love, soccer. We had youth from Burma, Kenya, Somalia, Palestine, Ohio, and other places all together learning. After it was over we had beef hot dogs and chips to finish out the night in fellowship. Overall, I think everyone had a great time!

Summer Party for Refugee Youth

Participants in the African Youth Ministry were treated with a summer party at the end  June.

Activities included . . .

blowing bubbles . .

hula hooping . . .

soccer . . .

and painting nails!

First Jobs Advantage Course a Success

Written by Brian Upton

BHITC’s first Jobs Advantage class wrapped up with a party and “graduation.” It was a casual but fun-filled experience for a small group of 15 or so people who’ve become “family” as a result of the course. Participants spoke from the heart of how the class has helped them see God and their place in this world — especially their work — differently.

What was truly amazing was Steve (name changed). When Steve started the class 8 weeks ago he was homeless and unemployed. He’s now working fulltime as a painter and living in transitional housing.  He stood up and said that the people in this ministry made all the difference for him. Jobs Advantage taught him not only of God’s love, but of his value as a child of God and his role as “God’s agent” in the world. It was simple and profound and I was blessed as a result.