Learning to Love
We have had a lot to celebrate over the last seven years at Love City as we have seen our community grow and continue to improve. Sometimes we get caught up in the hustle and bustle of life and forget to set apart time to celebrate those around us and everything going on. The best part of being in a community is that when we are caught up in life, there are others who will come along to remind us not to forget about the things that really matter. Last week, a group of our students helped provide that reminder.
Miss Joann has lived in Portland for 60 years. She has a passion for children and always says her favorites are “the ones who act up and try to push away those who Love them”. She has provided many kids in the neighborhood a meal and a place to sleep over the years. We have known Joann since the early days of Love City, but now that two of her grandsons attend Mighty Oak she has been more involved than ever before. Her grandsons are in the fourth and sixth grades, but more of our students than just those two would claim her as a grandmother.
Joann (orange shirt) helping serve Thanksgiving Dinner to our community
About a year ago, Joann wanted to do more to help support the school, so she started working at Mighty Oak Academy helping out in the cafeteria. Now she still helps prepare and serve lunches everyday. You can see the joy radiate from her as she interacts with all the kids, treating each as if they were her own. Outside of her official role at Mighty Oak, she also acts as an unofficial bus driver, everyday piling seven middle school boys into her minivan so that they can hang out together after school and she can make sure they get home safely later that evening. Her Love for this community and Mighty Oak students is felt by all around her.
Last week, a group of students heard Joanns birthday was approaching and wanted to throw a surprise party for her. What better place to celebrate than at our Tuesday night community dinners? So they began to prepare, making cookies, banners, and cards; they blew up balloons and invited their friends and families. Our chef, Bridget, found out some of Joanns favorite foods so that we could prepare them. Joann’s good friend Betty, who also volunteers at the Mighty Oak cafeteria every day, bought her a birthday cake and made sure all of Joann’s family were invited.
The banners that our students made and signed with notes to Joann
With everything in place, we were ready to celebrate. When Ms. Joann came in, her eyes lit up seeing all the decorations “Ooh, are we having a party tonight?”. Then, she realized it was all for her. Joann became emotional from seeing all the work the kids had put into their decorations and banners. “Aww you all are making me feel like I’m a kid again” she said, wiping the tears from her eyes. It was an amazing night with the community, and an amazing night to honor someone that this community cares so much about.
It was a beautiful reminder for us to take time out of our days to celebrate those who give so much to our community. It was even more beautiful that this reminder came from our students. It exemplifies the Love that we are trying to teach our students, a Love that spans multiple generations and extends beyond blood lines. It is an encouraging sign to us that beyond learning just academics, our students are learning to Love their neighbors.
1,000 at $25 a month…
We are continuing our 1,000 for $25 campaign. Huge thank you to all who have joined in so far!
It costs $13,500 a year for each student to attend the school. Our long term goal is to increase our sustainability activities to help offset some of that cost, such as the fish fry, St C's Tees and a new pre-school which will operate as both a preschool and a daycare. While we work to build these sustainability efforts we are seeking neighbors to come along side the school to help support students attending.
We are super excited to share our mid year progress report, especially regarding out student’s gains in reading. Our students have great potential and we want to help them see all their dreams come true! 1,000 neighbors giving $25 a month will help cover the costs for more than 20 of our students. Please consider joining this effort by clicking the button below to donate today!
Come join us this Friday at the Fish Fry…
This Friday we will be selling fish from 11am - 7:30pm.
Not only is it St Patrick’s day, but it’s March Madness, we will have games playing on two screens all day so please come out and support Love City and Mighty Oak Academy. All proceeds from the fish fry go to support students at Mighty Oak Academy!
2519 St Cecilia St
11:00 - 7:30pm
We've started a new semester at Mighty Oak Academy and can always use supplies. If you are interested in helping, please click the link below to either donate, or click here to see our Amazon list for specific supplies that are needed.
If you are interested in volunteering or to find out more information about supplies needed please email: info@lovecityinc.org or call (502) 272-078.