Arlington Science Focus Elementary Students Have a Heart for the Homeless
Arlington Science Focus Elementary Students Have a Heart for the Homeless
On Tuesday, Feb. 8, fourth grade students from Arlington Science Focus School's YES Club created Valentine’s Day posters, decorations and cards for homeless residents at Volunteers of America Chesapeake’s Residential Program Center.
The club, which stands for Youth Experience Success, provides extra attention and activities for children who further down the line might be at risk of not graduating from high school. The idea of creating a special Valentine's Day for the homeless individuals at the center was completely generated by the students, who said they were looking for a hands-on way to encourage others who may be in a negative situation.
When asked about the experience and why it was important to them, the fourth grade students gave these replies: "To let them know that we care about them and to make them feel like they are a part of Valentine's Day and that we love them," Anthony Bogran. "Because they're probably not going to get a Valentine, so we could give them one," Billy Thompson added. Harrison Sevren-Brown answered that the project was to show that "YES Club cares."
“Over the course of this year the students have done service projects serving their families, each other and now the Arlington community,” said Sarah Reece, YES Club coordinator for Arlington Science Focus School. “The next service project is aimed at serving our school,” she said
“This was a great idea,” said Eileen Corbet, Volunteers of America Chesapeake’s Residential Program Center Senior Program Director. “We love when the community – especially the children in our local school system – partner with our organization to support those we serve at our center. Our residents love to know that someone cares about them!”
Volunteers of America Chesapeake's Residential Program Center provides three crucial services – non-medical detoxification, substance abuse recovery and homeless services for single adults – all under one roof. Since its inception in 1994, Volunteers of America Chesapeake's Residential Program Center is the only 24-hour program of this caliber in Arlington County. For more information go to www.VOAchesapeake.org
* Photo courtesy of Sarah Reece, Arlington Science Focus School