We’re gearing up for another exciting school year at Christ Central Aiken. We have many activities and programs kicking off.

• Kids Klub
• Academic Center and Preschool Readiness Center
• Evening suppers
• Jobs for Life

Kids Klub. This is open to kids ages 5 to 18. The kids come together most Saturdays from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm for lunch and fun. They interact with each other while learning from the Word of God. The activities vary from roller skating to field trips. You can contact Andrew McCaskilll at McCaskillAndrew@yahoo.com.

Academic Center and Preschool Readiness Center. Jesus said, “Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me . . .”—Mark 9:37. Mentoring is an awesome opportunity to pour ourselves out into the life of a child—all in the name of Jesus. We want to create a place where children receive love, develop trust, and we want to encourage their educational growth. By us setting an example and by sharing the lessons we’ve learned through¬out our lives, the children will grow spiritually as well.

Our purpose is to break the cycle of generational poverty in the lives of these students with the “hope” found only in Christ and the “help” of education.

This year’s program will begin September 8, 2009 at 6:00 pm. The children are transported to one of the two locations and dinner is served:

• The Academic Center (for school aged children) is located at Memorial Baptist Church, 3100 Vaucluse Road, Aiken, SC. We have 33 volunteer mentors who spend one hour each Tuesday and/or Thursday night with Christ Central students (ages 5 to 18) in reading and math. Mentors encourage, redirect, assist, and “listen” to the students.
• Preschool Readiness Center is located at the Christ Central building on Richland Avenue. After dinner, our 3 and 4 year olds receive training in social skills that are necessary to function in small groups: listening, sharing, taking turns, and even learning computer skills. This is preparation for kindergarten.
• And NEW for 2009-10 school year is our Toddler’s Center for 1 and 2 year old children. The classroom has been decorated with a mural of Noah’s Ark and the animals (thank you Aiken Preparatory School). Toddlers will listen to stories being read to them, identify objects in pictures, and enjoy music and dance.

Our goal is to instill a love for Jesus and learning at an early age. “Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it.”—Proverbs 22:8.

Parents or caregivers must accompany the toddlers to the Christ Central building. While the children are having fun and learning, the parents will study the book The Purpose Driven Life by Pastor Warren with a small group facilitator.

Evening suppers and worship meetings. All age groups meet on Wednesday evenings 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm for dinner and worship. We’d love to have you praise God with us.

Jobs for Life. This is a program designed to prepare people for the workforce by teaching them skills in writing resumes, preparing for interviews, workplace etiquette, etc. Instructors use examples from the Bible to help teach these critical workforce skills. The premise behind this program comes from Colossians 3:23: “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.” It is this attitude that has made the graduates of Jobs for Life so successful. To date our local Jobs for Life program has had 49 graduates. They have become employed and productive in the community. Our next class will begin September 29. If you are interested in signing up or want more information, contact Don Boyer at 644-0631.

As you can see we have a full load. If you can help with any of the programs above, we would love to have you. Specifically, we need mentors for children at the Academic Center for the many who are on a waiting list. The commitment is for one adult for one child for one hour. If you are available, please contact me at 640-1708.

Thanks again for coming to our website. Come often to hear what’s going on at Christ Central Aiken.

Judy Floyd