Englewood After-School Bears Program

Since 2012, Englewood UMC has been hosting this after-school tutoring program for students of Englewood Elementary School. One afternoon a week, we pick the children up from school, have time for games and creative activities, provide a snack, teach a Bible lesson, and have one hour of homework help time. The program is led by our Minister of Christian Education, Rev. Savanna Becker, and our volunteers are members or friends of Englewood UMC who have all been Safe Sanctuaries trained, which includes a background check through the church. 

It has been a huge blessing to our church to host these children each year, and we are excited to see how God continues to bless this program in the future!
When We Meet
The After-School Bears Club meets on Thursdays from 3:15-5:45 p.m. at Englewood United Methodist Church. We pick up the children from school in the church van and bring them to the church. We start with a snack and some free time to play; then, we have one hour of homework help time. We finish with a Bible lesson and activities (crafts, games, art projects, service projects, etc.) before the children are picked up at the church at 5:45 p.m.
Who Can Join
The Bears Program is open to any student who attends Englewood Elementary School! We accept 10 students per school year so that each student gets individual attention. We enroll on a first come, first served basis, giving priority to those students who were in Bears the previous year. 
Bible Lesson
In addition to basic math, reading, and science skills, our Bears are getting a healthy dose of Bible study. Every session includes an exciting Bible lesson, designed in a way that is engaging and interactive for the students. 

Statesman Frederick Douglass once said, "It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men." What better way to build strong children (and adults) than with a solid, spiritual education? We'd love to partner with you to make your children as strong, resilient, and successful as possible!

"Start children off in the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it."
-Proverbs 22:6
Weekly Schedule
3:15-3:30     Pick Up at Englewood Elementary
3:30-4:00    Snack Time
​4:00-5:00    Homework Help
​5:00-5:45     Bible Lesson and Activities (crafts, 
                     games, art projects, service, etc.)
5:45              Pick Up at Englewood UMC
Creating Partnerships for Learning
Our program includes one hour of homework help time each week. Whether your child needs help with a particular subject, or could just use some help focusing for a dedicated time each week - we are here to help with whatever they need! If children do not have homework on a particular week, we also have workbooks, flash cards, and educational games. 

Here's a word about what this program means to our volunteers: 
"As tutors, it's important for us to be good listeners so that we can understand the needs of each child, to interact with them on a personal, one-on-one level, and build a relationship based on trust. Our goal is to offer positive energy and enhanced learning opportunity for our Bears, but it's so much more." -Bears Volunteer
Creating Partnerships for Learning
Our program includes one hour of homework help time each week. Whether your child needs help with a particular subject, or could just use some help focusing for a dedicated time each week - we are here to help with whatever they need! If children do not have homework on a particular week, we also have workbooks, flash cards, and educational games. 

Here's a word about what this program means to our volunteers: 
"As tutors, it's important for us to be good listeners so that we can understand the needs of each child, to interact with them on a personal, one-on-one level, and build a relationship based on trust. Our goal is to offer positive energy and enhanced learning opportunity for our Bears, but it's so much more." -Bears Volunteer

See Some Examples