Our new principal came up to me last week to talk with me about a "special case" for Kids Hope. It turns out that a student at Eagle Rock Elementary who is in foster care, was going to be removed from her home (and split up from her biological brothers) because her caregiver wasn't able to pick her up from school until 6pm. Originally Ms. Ortiz contacted me to see if this little one could be in Kids Hope every day after school. And, while that would be wonderful, it's not how our program is set up! So I told her I would look into another solution.
A few months prior, I had gone to a "Community Connections" meeting here in Eagle Rock. I met Damon Williams, the guy organizing the connection event, at Eagle Rock Elementary. His son was in the same class as the little girl I mentor, so we would often chat as we waited for the bell to ring. He wanted different groups within Eagle Rock who were working in the community to get together, and to be aware of each other. At that June meeting, I met Stephen Kia, the new president of The Rock Community Center on Yosemite Boulevard. At the meeting we exchanged phone numbers. And then forgot about it.
As I was trying to figure out a solution for this child that would keep her with her brothers, I talked with our DCFS connections to see if there would be any services available but didn't get anywhere. Then I remembered the conversation Stephen and I had had at the community connections event in the summer. I dialed his number. Wouldn't you know that The Rock is now open and offer free tutoring services Mon-Friday from 3-6pm for kids in grades K-12! Kids sign in and out (meeting the requirements of the state for our friend from Eagle Rock) and tutors from Occidental College are there each day to help the kids with their homework. I was elated!
This meant that not only could our student get to go there, but her brothers (who are in high school) as well! It was one of those days where I could see God working-behind the scenes-for the well being of this family. I could see how He had set things in place long ago for these kids to be protected and kept together. I love when I get glimpses of what He's doing in our community, and His heart for children! And I love that our new principal saw us as a resource and asked if we could help! :)
