Blog:FOREST LAKE TALKS

A social worker from a local high school called FLPC and asked for help.  An unaccompanied youth (that is a social work term for a young person under 18 who has no guardian or parent) was facing the prospect of not being allowed to walk in graduation because she had unpaid school fees.  The social worker told us that the school had the ability to waive many of the fees, but asked if we could pay the fees that could not be waived to allow her to walk in graduation.  We learned this student had unpaid fees because of her participation in the National Honor society, orchestra, Model United Nations, etc., and that she had plans to go to college on a full scholarship. It was money (the Pastor’s Emergency Fund) that you gave to support the work of this church that paid her school fees so that this young woman could celebrate and be celebrated.  Thank you for your support that allowed this to happen.

We know that this situation is only the tip of the iceberg.  We are in conversation, for example, to pay the small insurance fee that covers repairs to the school issued Chromebooks for unaccompanied youth, to prevent larger fees from accumulating if a Chromebook is damaged.  Unaccompanied youth often sleep on the couches of friends or relatives. We know that stability is a struggle for teens with engaged parents.  Imagine if the teens you knew were navigating life without parents.  

Because of your engagement and giving, children at Forest Lake Elementary are mentored by caring adults from FLPC. Throughout this school year, 31 students received a WEEKLY bag of food to ensure that they eat over the weekend (we call this program the Backpack Buddies program).  Because of your engagement, 340 pairs of shoes were kept out of landfills through our shoe collection with Keep the Midlands Beautiful, and over 100 prom dresses were provided free of charge to students who could not otherwise afford a dress to attend prom at Richland Northeast High School!  Because you brought socks, razors, and used dental items for recycling, TerraCycle sent FLPC a check for $125 that will be used to support our organic Kid’s Garden that feeds hungry people in our own neighborhoods. You donated 130 bags of food to RSD1 and RSD2 for summer feeding programs in May. You picked up trash on Decker Boulevard and refreshed plantings at Conder Elementary School through our partnership with The Decker Collective.  40 FLPC folks showed up for the MORE Justice Nehemiah Action to ask for change in our community. And I could go on! 

The needs are real and can feel overwhelming.  But when I realize the collective good that you do in this community, I am humbled and centered.  If you want to feel better about our world, sign up to pick up trash on Decker Boulevard on Saturday, June 14th (see News and Events for information), or volunteer to tend the garden and pick vegetables for a week this summer (contact the church office or Julie Lott directly).  There is much hurt, need, and evil in the world that we cannot address. But I am grateful to be a part of a community that pays attention, leans in, and does so much good.