Conestoga Valley townlively.com
JULY 12, 2023
SERVING THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES SINCE 1954
VOL LIX • NO 29
A change for life Mentors needed for after-school program BY ANN MEAD ASH
onathan Barrett, executive director of Conestoga Valley Christian Community Services (CVCCS), shared the story of a student who came out of her shell - both metaphorically and, in a sense, literally - when she took part in the organization’s mentorship program called Rooted. “ When she arrived, she kept her hood up all the time,” recalled Barrett. “After a month, she took the hood down so we could see her face.” Barrett reported that the student was angry with the Lord and that she would write letters to her mentor about things she was struggling with. The mentor was patient and caring with the student. “By the end of the school year, she was open to Jesus,” said Barrett. “She was crying because she didn’t want the program to end.” That type of relationship building is what Barrett hopes to continue to see as Rooted prepares to kick off at the beginning of the school year. “You see the difference it makes
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The Conestoga Valley Christian Community Services mentor program gives students and a mentor one-on-one time to develop a friendship.
when you invest in young people,” said Barrett. Rooted is open to fourth- and fifth-grade students at Leola Elementary School. Students, who may be referred by guidance counselors or parents, are transported from the school to the CVCCS location at 2420 Gehman Lane, Lancaster, each Tuesday from 3 to 5 p.m. from September through May. Each program opens with a healthy
snack followed by one-on-one time with a mentor to unwind and talk about the day. “We play a group game,” said Barrett. “Then there’s a Bible lesson which has been prepared (for the mentor to teach).” The sessions end with a one-on-one game. According to Barrett, ideal mentors are good listeners, and they are engaged and compassionate. Retired
people who have time to share the wisdom of their years often make good mentors. “There’s no tutoring involved and no homework,” stated Barrett. “We basically (provide) the lessons.” Volunteer mentors are offered orientation training. One mentor left the program because she decided to remain active in the life of the student she was mentoring after that student
Woman of many talents
BY ANN MEAD ASH
BY ANN MEAD ASH
More than 25 years ago, HOPE International, a Christ-centered global nonprofit that equips men and women to break the cycle of poverty for themselves and their community, gave out its first micro loan in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine. Just recently, Jeff Rutt, founder of HOPE International, recounted the story of a Ukrainian blueberry farmer named Anastasiya. “Anastasiya decided not to let the war cause her to leave, which is a big deal,” said Rutt. “She had gotten a loan from HOPE prewar for seedlings for her blueberry farm, and in 2022, she
Dore’Ann Weaver has always had artistic talents. Over the years, those skills have expanded into a variety of areas, including costume and set design and construction and painting a scrim backdrop the size of a gymnasium floor. However, Dore’Ann was a little unsure of exactly how to use those talents when she received a call in July of 2022 asking her to serve as art director for a DBM Films production called “Little Heroes.” “I said, ‘I am from theater. What does that mean?’” recalled Dore’Ann. Fortunately, her friend Robert Amaya, who played
See HOPE International pg 2
Anastasiya, who lives in Ukraine, has received loans to sustain her blueberry farm.
the Snake King in the movie “Courageous,” was able to provide background information. “Little Heroes” focuses on four young friends who discover something is not right at their usual swimming hole. They soon uncover a mystery that involves a local factory owner and the mayor. The movie was filmed in Chesapeake City, Md., and North East, Md., over a 12-day period. A premiere was held in Baltimore on June 8 and on June 9, the film was shown again as part of a celebration in Chesapeake City. “Little Heroes” can be purchased from DBM Films or on Amazon. See Talents pg 7
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Taking a swing against poverty
aged out of the program. Barrett was sad to lose the mentor but overall happy with the result. “We want life change,” he explained. “We don’t want to just maintain. We want a change for life.” Readers who are interested in volunteering to be mentors may sign up at www.cvccs.org/mentors. Individuals who have specific questions may call 717-208-3711.