Why Donate to Loaves and Fishes?
We focus on each child at risk. We provide many services and ways of learning so that Loaves and Fishes children stay committed to success. Your donation makes possible:
- Long-term support, K-12.
We have a waiting list because of our success in age-specific support.
And we offer many different learning experiences: not only tutoring but special trips and projects, athletics, and creative activities—helping children discover their unique interests and build confidence.Loaves and Fishes programs engage students all the way through high school.
- One-on-one tutoring.
Staff and volunteers focus on students' unique needs in one-on-one tutoring. We train our volunteers, as well as ensure the children's access to the right technical learning resources.
- Collaboration with each child's school.
Teachers refer children to Loaves and Fishes. And we collaborate with them, guidance counselors and school administration to strategize the best ways to help each child.
- Family support.
We hold monthly Family Nights for the children and their parents or guardians. After everyone eats supper, the adults attend a presentation or workshop that focuses on an aspect of family well-being.
(But sometimes we devote Family Nights to pure fun with family-bonding projects, as pictured at left.)
- Enrichment as well as academics.
Our everyday enrichment activities range from visual and performing arts to athletics.
- Career development.
The students in our Stars program (grades 9–12) explore career and college opportunities through guest speakers, workplace visits and online research. They also practice interviewing skills.
- Open discussion about social pressures.
Staff educate children about the dangers of drug and alcohol use. In addition, we hold weekly meetings for older students to discuss school and peer pressure issues.
- Safe haven.
After school, lack of supervision leaves at-risk children vulnerable not only to pressures to drink and do drugs—but now increasingly to gang violence and recruiting. In Wake County, gang activity rose approximately 20% between March 2007 and March 2008.†
Loaves and Fishes provides safe haven during the entire span of critical after-school hours: 3–6:30pm, Monday–Thursday, throughout the school year.
Today 52 children are enrolled in our programs. To continue their success and include more children from our waiting list, we need your help. There are many ways to give.
†Gang activity data from The Raleigh News & Observer story "Wake Balks as School Budget Grows," 3/27/08.