Helping Hands

Nonprofit Q&A

Organization name: Church Adopt-A-School Initiative Year founded: It began at Wyatt Baptist Church in El Dorado in 2014. Does the organization have 501(c)3 status? We operate under Wyatt Baptist Church, which has 501(c)3 status. How does the organization use contributions? Contributions were used last year to provide scholarships for the National Church Adopt-A-School Training that was presented at the TAC House in April. Dr. Tony Evans began the program over 30 years ago, his national trainers were in El Dorado and 85 school administrators and church members attended the training. Contributions are also used to provide food for our mentoring training to local churches. What are the organization’s unique missions and programs? It establishes a collaboration between the local church and area schools, training interested churches to mentor during school hours to children selected by school administration who would benefit from a mentor to help them excel in life. We meet one hour per week during the student’s elective period. Our goal is to follow our students until they graduate. What is the organization’s most successful program and how do you measure its

effectiveness? Our mentoring program focuses on character building, grades and school attendance. Our measurement tools are the student’s grades, attendance records and in-school discipline reports provided by the school. Last year, 40 percent of our students saw an improvement in their grades and attendance. In-school discipline declined in 28 percent of our students.

It also aims to spread the concept of churches being involved in Union County schools, with success measured by number of mentors and children involved. We grew by five churches last year.

Where does most of the organization’s funding come from?

SHARE Foundation VIP Grant funded the Adopt-A-School Initiative Coordinator’s position for 2018, marking the first year we have had a full-time coordinator. Corporations made donations in 2018 for scholarships of Union County residents who attended the National Church Adopt-A-School Initiative training in April. Each local church can decide how involved they will be in supplying material for mentors. Mentors typically provide their own supplies for their weekly meeting with their students. What percentage of the organization’s donations are used locally? 100 percent of our donations were used to promote mentoring within Union County. What is the greatest challenge facing the agency?

One big obstacle is making contact with churches who have bi-vocational pastors. All churches can become a partner in mentoring, regardless of the size of the congregation. Pastoral support is a key component before any church can begin mentoring in the public schools. What are the agency’s biggest fundraisers?

Church Adopt-A-School Initiative has not had fundraisers other than enlisting the help of corporations for scholarships this year. Before becoming involved with SHARE Foundation’s VIP Grant, Wyatt was the only church participating in the program. What are the agency’s biggest needs?

The initiative needs more churches to embrace their local schools. Union County has 10 churches per public school. We need to share our love with others and let our light shine within our communities. How can someone get involved in the organization, either through donations or volunteer work?

Anyone wanting to know more about mentoring can call Wyatt Baptist Church (862-2619) to speak with Vicki Harmon, CAASI coordinator. Donations can also be made to the Church Adopt-A-School Initiative and mailed to Wyatt Baptist Church. (4621 W. Hillsboro, El Dorado, AR 71730)