And it just so happens that these two beautiful forces collided in the teamwork between St. Johns Episcopal Church and Banks-Caddell Elementary School in Decatur, AL.
And the whole town is staring.
Seeing the needs of Banks-Caddell—96% student poverty rate and low reading test performance—St. Johns decided to invest in changing those statistics. By implementing Homework Helpers, Backpacks for Food, and Camp McDowell sponsorships, St. Johns has made generous changes to their community.
Within the first year of teamwork, 77% of students raised their reading test scores, and 82% raised their math test scores. In addition, 4 students increased their reading level by a grade or more, and 9 students increased their math level by a grade or more—in only 8 weeks.
The academic progress has the Homework Helpers program to thank. During Monday-Thursday afternoons, tutors from St. Johns generously volunteer time to help struggling students succeed in school. Volunteers from Vintage Faith Church and Historic Albany Neighborhood also pitch in, uniting the community in a beautiful tapestry of teamwork and generosity.Kevin Malcolm, coordinator of volunteers and schedules says, “I love the feeling I get when I walk into the library at Banks-Caddell and the kids want me to come work with them that day. They are shy but you know they appreciate the time we give them.”
“And it’s not just help with homework,” says Linda McClain, former principal of Banks-Caddell and current academic intervention and recovery specialist. “It’s far more. This program gives kids tutoring help while building them socially. The kids really become friends with their helpers. They look up to them almost like grandparents, and they build strong relationships with older adults.”
As amazing as the Homework Helpers program sounds, it’s just one thread weaving through the tapestry of teamwork.
St. Johns also annually funds every student at Banks-Caddell to visit Camp McDowell along with paying for 5 teachers at half price.
Kim Linley, a teacher who has accompanied the group to Camp McDowell for four years, relishes the opportunities for her students. “Many of our students have never spent the night away from home, been hiking, wading in water to catch bugs, canoeing, or even family-style dining. I love hearing the comments made by my students each time they experience something new.”
Stacy Breuer, a teacher who accompanied the group to Camp McDowell this year, says that parents have shared that upon returning from camp their child "has not stopped talking long enough to take a breath!”
St. Johns has us talking non-stop as well.
McClain says, “I can’t say enough good things about St. Johns.”
And it’s no wonder, because in addition to the Camp McDowell trips and the Homework Helpers Program, St. Johns also generously supplies a Backpacks for Food Program.
During the school calendar year, food donations are dropped off at the church during office hours. Bags are packed during the week and delivered to Banks-Caddell every Friday. Church members volunteer to shop, pack, or deliver snacks including oatmeal packs, breakfast bars, pop tarts, canned goods, individual mac-and-cheese, pudding, crackers, fruit snacks, cookies, and more.
During the long holiday breaks, St. Johns doubles the amount of food, and also provides loaves of fresh bread for school staff in the fall.
It’s no wonder we’re staring.
Homework Helpers meets the academic needs of the students, the Backpacks for Food program meets the physical needs of the students, and to care for the social needs of the students, St. Johns holds a spring picnic to celebrate friendships and partnerships.
Something awesome, something beautiful, something amazing is happening between St. Johns and Banks-Caddell.
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