Meeting Families Where They Are
The names and picture of the family in the following story were changed.
The DeSoto County Dream Center (DCDC) comes alongside students of Title 1 schools, holistically caring for the needs of families in our community- meeting people where they are, and supporting them to find greater long-term stability through the love of Christ. A mother of one of our Elementary Education students recently shared her story with us about how she and her family have felt loved and cared for through the support of these programs.
Sarah is a student at a local Title 1 school and was first connected with the Dream Center through the Elementary Education Program last year. As a third grader who has a lot of test anxiety, Sarah failed the standardized test that all third graders have to take (GATE test). The teachers referred her to the Dream Center Elementary Education Program. This is a program that provides educational assistance to elementary students in the areas of reading and math.
Sarah’s mom, Kelley, works for a local school in the cafeteria. Her husband became really ill awhile back and is no longer able to work, and so their family began depending on her for their family’s income. Kelley explained that finances have been tight: “I’ve been involved in a lot of the things that Dream Center does- like Thanksgiving Meal Giveaway, the Christmas program, DREAM Backpack and the Dream Center has been a huge support for our family!”
In the same year Sarah started in the Education Program, she was connected to the DREAM Backpack program at her school. The DREAM Backpack program is embedded within schools throughout the district and the DCDC provides students with backpacks filled with food, supplies, encouraging notes, and items specific to the needs of the student. Each week the student is sent home with one of those backpacks and can bring it back to be refilled discreetly so that families don’t have to worry about food or resources on the weekends. For many students in Title 1 schools, breakfast and lunch are provided to the students, while weekends and summer months when kids are out of school can be challenging for families to insure they have enough food. Kelley shared that DREAM Backpack carried their family of six through last year.
Recently Kelley connected with the DC Elementary Education Coordinator, Jenny, and she shared about her own health challenges. “I don’t have insurance right now and I have diabetes and Jenny referred me to Trinity. I pay hundreds of dollars a month for my medication, and when I talked to Trinity they said I could enroll in this program that would help by making it so that I can get my medication for less- or even some things for free! This is really going to help me be able to pay less each month!” Kelley said. Each year DCDC staff sit down to connect with the students and parents, taking time to listen and learn more about each family of students in the Education Program. They spend time listening, building relationships and seeking to find any additional ways to come alongside families. Making connections, such as to the Trinity Health Center, is at the heart of the Dream Center’s holistic approach to caring for families in the community.
During Teacher Appreciation week two weeks ago, because Sarah’s mom works as a DeSoto County School Employee, she recently received a goodie bag from DCDC with a devotional, a note of encouragement and a gift card to a local restaurant which allowed her to treat her family to a dinner at Central BBQ.
One of the Dream Center’s core commitments is to pursue long-term relationships, recognizing that true life change doesn’t happen overnight, and that it takes place within the context of community. Sarah’s story is one of hard work and resilience as she is growing academically each year! “The Dream Center and what they do for these kids really is amazing. To see the love of God that the teachers pour into these kids is truly amazing, and we are so grateful for all that they do,” said Kelley.
Kelley, Sarah and their family have been attending Compel church for about a year now and Kelley now views her work in the local school cafeteria as an opportunity to minister to children and her coworkers. “If you're struggling with food- if you need help it's out there!” she said. “I’m always blessed and not ashamed of how good my God is to me. I know I’ve turned my back on Him and He’s never turned His back on me,” she shared as a word of encouragement to others facing situations similar to hers.
This story reflects the heart of the Dream Center’s approach to supporting families, by coming alongside them, helping address immediate needs, while providing encouragement, support and resources so that they are able to focus on long-term solutions and pursuing the abundant life that God desires for them. It is an honor to be able to call this family friends of the Dream Center, and we look forward to seeing how God is going to continue working in and through them!