Happenings At Apple Learning Street

I wanted to quickly update you on some of the happenings at Apple Street Learning Center and Jesus Project Ministries. The fall season is flying by, and we are seeing amazing transformations.

“Yesterday during tutoring: some of our students were so on top of their schoolwork that they decided to help tutor the younger ones!!!! It wasn’t just one or two shining helpers, there was four or five! I love being back in the flow of things, thank you Jesus!” – Alexander (ASSISTANT OUTREACH COORDINATOR/ MISSION TEAM & SITE COORDINATOR / JSTEP LEADER)

A quick story – One of our young men “TR” is having a break-out year. Last year when he would come to tutoring as a third grader he would say, “I can’t read!” Many days he would just shut down and sit with his arms folded in defeat. Every time he would say he couldn’t read our tutors would encourage him and say, “We are going to teach you to read.” It has been a hard fought battle, but this year he has been overcoming and succeeding in school. Recently, he has been named Student of the Week twice! What a miracle to watch him work on reading, to finish his math homework and be named Student of the Week. This is only possible because of amazing partners who stand with our ministry.

Alexander helping a student with his homework

This is the a brief list of what we are accomplishing this fall:

  • Feeding hungry kids – We all hate to think about children going hungry or eating junk food.  Thanks to your generous help we are able to keep children from going to bed hungry. Every day we provide healthy after-school snacks and a take home bag to 40 plus children.  
  • Tutoring tender minds – This is a record breaking year for tutoring.   We have the highest number of children ever coming to the tutoring center. So far this year we have had 76 children.  We are running out of room, but we are not running out of enthusiasm.  I sharpen dozens of pencils each day.  Every single pencil has been provided by our generous donors….. thank you so much!  I like to say, at Apple Street Learning Center we sharpen pencils so we can sharpen minds.
  • Upcoming events: The Cajun Thanksgiving Outreach is on November 23rd at 1:00 pm on the corner of Apple and Cambronne Street, New Orleans.  If you would like to help provide a family with a turkey and a thanksgiving food box please click the blue button below to donate. We will provide a dinner for a family in your name. $45.00 feeds a family of four a feast.
  • Christmas Party and Toy Give-Away is on December 14th at 1:00 pm.  

Thank you again for all of your help over the years.  We have an amazing surprise to tell you about soon.  Stay tuned, it is exciting!

Blessings,

Debra

PS: Did you know that Apple Street Learning Center is recognized by the Louisiana State Board of Education as an approved Tutoring Center? 

Happy Thanksgiving!

Yesterday, while delivering food baskets financed by our generous sponsors, we stopped at the house where “Al” lives.  Al comes to tutoring during the school year as well as summer camp.  He is one of the sweetest, best-mannered, lovable nine-year-olds you will ever meet.  Al lives with his “godmother” Ruth because his mom is incapable of caring for him.

As we delivered their food basket, Ruth overflowed with thanks and praise for all Jesus Project and Apple Street Learning Center have meant to her and Al.  She thanked us for the tutoring, the snacks, the nightly take-home sandwiches and the help with school projects.  She recalled how much Al enjoyed summer camp and all he learned there.

I wish you could have heard Ruth’s words firsthand.  Her gratitude was over-the-top.  It is truly your generous support that makes this possible.  Al and Ms. Ruth are just an example of the children and families you have helped this year through your generosity:

  •  83 students have been tutored in the past three months
  • 105 children came to the free summer camp
  • 350 children received the backpacks and school supplies they needed
  • 43 families – which is well over 200 people received all of the fixins they need for a Thanksgiving dinner
  • 200 people had a beautiful time at the Cajun Thanksgiving last Saturday
  • 5000 of healthy snacks for the summer camp and after-school program
  • 12 JSTEP teenagers learned how to lead and the value of money by money provided for stipends for their summer Junior Internship program

 Thanksgiving is a time to reflect, in gratitude, for those who make a difference in our lives. So we thank you and wish you and your loved ones a very happy Thanksgiving.

Blessings,

Debra, Rachel, and Sarah

Cajun Thanksgiving 2018

Check Out Pictures from This Years Cajun Thanksgiving!

I am sitting here reflecting on the past 13 years and the Cajun Thanksgiving event.  Every year since 2005, we have been joined by a small dedicated group of senior citizens from Hollygrove who help cook an amazing meal  to help the community.

This year our hearts are in turmoil as we pray for our friend Bob Quiette. Tomorrow will be the first time in 14 years that we will fire up the turkey fryers without Bob overseeing them, or without his wife Charlotte stirring the gumbo pot.  Bob was returned to the ICU unit  again today.  He has been battling illness most of this year.  We would sincerely appreciate it if you would take a few moments and pray for Bob and Charlotte. They have been the anchor of this event since its inception, and have worked so hard each year to make this a special day for the community.

We spent the day today prepping the turkeys.   We certainly missed Bob.  He has spearheaded this process each year.  The experts always make things look easy. We struggled today without him. Tomorrow we will feed hundreds of our neighbors.  At least 25 families will go home with a food box full of the food they need to feed their family a delicious Thanksgiving meal.

Every year when I sit down with my family and friends on Thanksgiving, I take comfort knowing the people around me are not going hungry.  If you are able to help provide a family with a Thanksgiving food box please click the link below.  Forty-five dollars will feed an entire family, but any amount will help.

Thanks so much for praying for Bob.  We will keep you informed about how he is doing.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Love,

Rachel and Debra

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