12. Project HEART - Help Educate and Renew Trust

Who does it:
Joint program between Temple Sinai and Emmanuel Baptist Church in Worcester, MA

What they do:
Establish an after-school academic enrichment program for minority children

Time commitment:
Two to four hours per week

Who they do it for and why:
The two congregations united to create an after-school academic enrichment program for minority children that brings together volunteers from widely different backgrounds in a common cause: helping to "level the playing field" and providing hope for the future of these children. Volunteers from the Jewish community, ranging from teenagers to senior citizens, have offered their time and expertise to this effort. The children were provided with individual tutoring and homework assistance; activities in language and literature, the arts, mathematics, and science; computer training; and field trips for the enjoyment of nature, art, science and just plain fun.

We would need:
¨ Someone to determine how such services fit in with current programs provided in the Tulsa area. This information should be available from the Tulsa Board of Education and/or social service agencies.
¨ Someone would need to identify a predominately African-American church that would be willing to work with us on this project.
¨ One or more persons willing to assume leadership of the project and manage it.
¨ A pool of volunteers willing to undergo appropriate training, then to commit to participating in the program as their interests and the program's needs coincide.

If you are interested in organizing or participating in such a program, contact:
Jeanne Jacobs (phone: 747-1309, email timvp@templeisraeltulsa