| Church Helps Kids Start the Day Safely
Students wait for the school bus at Brighton Rock A.M.E. Zion Church. |
School safety starts before the school doors even open in Portsmouth, VA. Every schoolday morning, high school students and adults wait for the public schoolbus from inside the Brighton Rock A.M.E. Zion Church.
Called the Bus Stop Mentoring Program, this morning routine started in April 1997 when Reverend Clifford Barnett noticed students one cool, rainy morning shivering under the church porch waiting for their bus.
"I decided to open the doors of the church to let the students in," Reverend Barnett said. He had more on his mind than just bad weather, however. "At some bus stops, some students are physically, verbally, and/or emotionally abused. A lot of threats are made and carried out at the bus stop. I also believe a person's bus stop experiences, negative or positive, can have a direct effect on how their day goes."
The church has partnered with Weed and Seed since it started the program, which is classified as a Safe Haven. The program is funded primarily through the church, although last year it received a grant from the Portsmouth Community Foundation.
In its simplest form, the program has three goals: keep the doors open, salute all seniors to show respect, and provide transportation to anyone who misses the bus. During the past school year, the Bus Stop Mentoring program served 45 students; this year, it is serving 32 students every morning.
As a Safe Haven, however, the program also includes an afterschool activity called Study Buddies that helps children with their homework, and the Kid's Café, which provides hot, nutritious dinners. Last year, the cafe served more than 5,000 meals to students. Through its myriad programs, which include assisting students with college preparation, employment, school supplies, and tutoring in math and Spanish, the Safe Haven serves approximately 240 students annually.
One of the bus stop mentors, Reggie Allen, joined the program after some female students complained one morning that a man behind a nearby store had disturbed them. Reverend Barnett immediately reported the incident to the police and called an emergency community meeting that night. At the meeting, Allen, a retired Naval veteran and community leader, said, "I will get up every morning and stand in front of the store to watch the students get from the store to the church."
Since it began, the program has helped community members and students develop close relationships, thereby fulfilling one of Reverend Barnett's goals—to foster an atmosphere in which, if students want to talk, someone will be available to listen to them. Reverend Barnett said a number of students have kept in touch with him since they graduated from high school. One former participant who attends college in the area returns to help out; another, who seemed like he would not graduate, went to Job Corps and came by to show Reverend Barnett his diploma.
Reverend Barnett recalls another student, Mel, whose demeanor and physical appearance could seem threatening. One Monday morning, Mel came to the bus stop with a paper plate wrapped in used aluminum foil, the Reverend recalled. "He looked at me and with his deep voice said, 'I had a birthday on Friday and I saved you some birthday cake.' I fought back the tear and tried to keep my composure and said, 'Yeah! You better bring me birthday cake.'"
The experience moved Reverend Barnett and helped him believe that more connections between teens and adults are attainable. "I truly believe that there are thousands of Mels who want to share their birthday cake with a caring adult. We just have to make ourselves available."
For more information, contact:
Reverend Clifford Barnett
757–393–0570
|
