"Returner"

               Summer is finally here, and I’m happy to share that I will be returning to Dallas, Texas, to serve as an intern with Project Transformation again. My experience last year was absolutely incredible and shaped my character immensely. I learned a lot about myself, but also realized how much hurt there is in Dallas, and cities like it. The children we see every day are high-spirited youth with amazing life goals, even at the tender age of six. However, working at a day care throughout the year in Bowling Green, Ohio, with children of the same ages as those at Project Transformation, allowed me to acknowledge the real differences in child literacy that exists across the country.

During the summer at PT, children are given the opportunity to enrich their reading skills daily, and are exceedingly grateful for it. One child at my own site last summer could not read in the fall, and through participating in Project Transformation’s after-school program was able to read books by summer. The children learn to love reading, and are excited to read with our volunteers. Through PT’s reading program, 97% of children who participate will maintain or improve their reading ability!

                Throughout my internship last summer, I learned that these children need positive adult influences in their lives more than anything. As interns, we try to be role models to these children more than their “friends.” They look up to us, and know that we are doing something positive by working with Project Transformation. They know that we are all attending college, and want to follow in our footsteps and do the same. Some PT kids even talk about working for the program once they get to college, too. Last summer was the first time that a child who participated in PT became an intern with the program!

As Project Transformation is funded by donations, I hope you’ll consider making a contribution to the program. Online donations can be made at www.projecttransformation.org, and check donations can be mailed to Project Transformation at 547 E. Jefferson Blvd, Dallas, TX 75203. If you do decide to donate, please include my name for reference. (You will receive a receipt and tax deduction for either method.) All donations sustain the summer program that I am involved in! Prayers for the program throughout the summer would be greatly appreciated!

More to come -

Shelley   : )