“The Call to Compassion is a Call to Action” by Amber Schollenberger and Alison Henken
January 10, 2010
“The Call to Compassion is a Call to Action” by Amber Schollenberger and Alison Henken
I believe that God calls us, both as individuals and as a community to see hope in even the most hopeless situations, and to realize our ability to impact change. As individuals, we must recognize that even the smallest act becomes a part of the greater good. As a community, we should embrace the power we have to help those whose ability to change their own circumstances is limited by systematic injustices in our world.
It is one where compassion goes to a deeper level than just the “haves” sharing their left-overs with the “have-nots.” It is one where the community works to remove the structural barriers that lead to inequality.
Regardless, when we feel God’s presence in our lives and decisions, we are changed. We think differently. We see and hear differently. If we are wise, we will allow these moments to make us aware of our own potential. We will cling to them and allow them to truly transform us.
As I spent time organizing service projects and fundraisers to benefit non-profit organizations, I came to realize that I am most myself when I am serving others. While I didn’t recognize it at the time, this was God’s call to my life of service.
Through this, I came to understand God, ethics, agape love, and human relationships in a whole new light. I was awakened to my purpose, and decided to pursue a career of service through the public or non-profit sector.
I met many third and fourth generation families receiving federal aid. I observed the challenge that many low-income adults face: the pursuit of education needed for advancement means less time to work for food and shelter. This realization sparked my interest in educational interventions for youth; with them we have the potential to break the cycle of government dependence.
I chose to work with FLOC because I want to make sure that children in D.C. have the resources, tools, and support to awaken to their potential and achieve their dreams.
One of the primary goals when FLOC was founded was to close the Jr. Village, which was essentially a warehouse in DC for wards of the state. Over the last 40 years, For Love of Children has provided a variety of social service programs to address the needs of the children of DC.
Therefore, the organization made the difficult decision to
Why We Do What We Do
We like to think of public education as the great equalizer, but in DC, this is not the reality.
In fact, DC’s average scores in reading and math from the 2006-07 National Assessment of Educational Progress ranked DC the lowest in the group of 11 major urban areas.
Only 43 of every 100 students that enter DC Public Schools will graduate high school within 5 years. Of those 43, only 29 will enroll in post secondary education, and of those, only 9 will attain a post secondary degree within 5 years.
Let us recall that the civil rights movement got its legs by challenging inequities in educational opportunities for African Americans. Today most children in this country, particularly low-income children of color, do not receive the quality of education that they deserve. So, in the wake of these realities, what would Dr. King say?
He would castigate the subtle and overt suggestions made by many today that some of our children don’t have the capacity to learn.
Our goal is to be sure that every one of our students remains connected to their education, stays on grade level, and grows as a student, a citizen, and a leader. We want to see each of our FLOC students graduate from high school, pursue college or vocational school, and arrive at adulthood positioned for success.
We have three main programs that provide students with the skills and knowledge they need to thrive.
Neighborhood Tutoring Program (NTP)
When they begin in the program, each of these students completes an educational assessment that identifies their competency level so we can ensure they receive services based on their individual needs.
Students are able to see their progress as they master each concept. And tutors are able to recognize their impact when they experience unexpected glimpses of hope – the
These moments add up to a strong educational foundation for students who, on average, improve 1 year in their reading and math abilities after receiving just 22 hours of service.
Leaders in Action (LIA) / Outdoor Education Center (OEC)
The program focuses on leadership, diversity, environmental education, and community service.
Students are offered unique experiences that allow them to expand their knowledge of themselves and their place in the world, including service trips with the Anacostia Watershed Society and cultural exchange projects with schools in Turkey, Kenya, and Haiti.
Despite their different environments, students in West Virginia face similar challenges as our DC students, including poverty, violence, and a lack of education. During a week-long joint summer camp at the Outdoor Education Center, our DC and West Virginia Leaders groups are able to find common ground and develop strong relationships.
We open the doors to new opportunities & help them develop new ideas about what is attainable.
The sophomore year focuses on career exposure and life skills education.
To help juniors fully consider their post-secondary options, they are taken on a 5-day college tour to give them the opportunity to experience first-hand a college or university and understand what they truly want and need in their school of choice.
We continue to support students even after their graduation from high school. To ensure that our students succeed in college, the FLOC Scholars Program provides financial, educational, and emotional support to our students until they complete their degree.
st grader and got involved with every possible opportunity FLOC provided from 1st grade all the way to 12th. In high school he played football, was president of the chess club, and worked a part-time job. He graduated from high school and is currently attending Bowling Green University and pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Sports Management. He is sure of his ambitions and on track to academic success and personal fulfillment. That is our hope for our students – that they are able to awaken to their potential, and obtain the resources and support they need to achieve their dreams.
Conclusion
In a recent speech on education, President Obama said:
We see the potential of students everyday and provide services to help them reach that potential.
We need to continue to develop new programming – so the continuum starts earlier. Our elementary school students need more comprehensive programming, so they get more than just the fundamentals and we begin to instill a college-going mindset as early as possible.
And we need to continue to develop stronger ways to interact with college student scholars to ensure their success.
Our dream for FLOC is to have centers in different neighborhoods throughout the city where students will find open doors and the support they need to pursue their passions.
Get Involved
What does it mean to show compassion? How does God’s call affect each of us as individuals, and what are our responsibilities as a Christian community?
Now we challenge each of you to consider your individual response. If you are interested in becoming more engaged with For Love of Children, as a volunteer, a tutor, or a supporter, we encourage you to contact us.
more information about FLOC may be found at http://www.flocdc.org/