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YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Revive in the schools?
It’s not just local anymore! In December, Revive launches it’s next school project…in Delhi, India! In India, children are entitled to a free education IF they can pass the entrance test. The entrance test is comprised of various preschool skills. The problem is, in slum areas parents aren’t always educated enough to teach their children these skills, or, their children are already working (ie. begging) to help support the family. Yes, 5 year olds. Begging. Let that sink in. Once a child does not pass the admission test, they are not able to retake it, and thus, their education is halted, virtually, forever; continuing the cycle of their parents, and often their parents before them. Revive is helping to interrupt that cycle. In partnership with Aradhna Vineyard church, Revive is working to open it’s first sponsored school. It will begin with Kindergarten this year, and next year will offer First Grade as well as Kindergarten. The addition of grades will continue each year, until the school is complete with all grades offered in a traditional Indian school. While many of these children will have a lot of learning to make up, there is no doubt that they will succeed, once given the opportunity. Resource Rooms in
Dysart Title 1 Schools Revive works hard to find supplies and clothing for the Resource rooms. The resource rooms flourish because of the hard work of many. One of the key players is Christine Sanchez. Christine has taken responsibility for keeping the 5 schools Resource Rooms stocked with school supplies (backpacks, notebooks, pens, pencils, crayons, markers), clothing (both new and used) of all sizes, and even food staples for families struggling to even put meals on the table. Christine collects from various donors including Reveal Vineyard attendees. Once the items are collected and brought to the storage unit, Christine and her team of 4-5 volunteers sort the items and organize the storage room. Christine then visits the schools and takes inventory, collects the needed items from storage and returns them to the schools. She does this process each week, rotating the schools so that all are served at least once a month. Teachers have access to the supplies and are able to gather items for students as needed. Currently, Christine puts about 12-15 hours per week into the Resource Rooms, not counting the hours of her team of volunteers. Thanks to Christine and her team, many of the children in the Title 1 schools are able to focus their time on learning. BIG Shout out to…
Revive is about to enter it’s 5th Dysart school!
For the past year or more, Revive has been working hard to serve the students of Dysart Unified School district. Countless phone calls and meetings have taken place with office managers and principals to culminate in resource rooms set up in five Title 1 schools throughout the district. These resource rooms contain clothing, school supplies, backpacks, jackets, shoes, hygiene products and even food. Every material thing a student needs to succeed in school. What is a Title 1 school? A Title 1 school has a high population of at-risk and low-income students. It’s a federally funded program designed to provide additional assistance (such as tutoring, counseling and enrichment) to help students bridge the gap in order to experience a full and successful education. By providing these items and encouragement these students can eliminate some of the stresses of daily life, allowing them to learn better and be better students. As of the start of the 2016-2017 school year, Revive will have resource rooms set up in five of the 10 Title 1 schools. The goal is to have full participation in all 10 schools as soon as possible. Donations have come from hundreds of people and businesses. Walmart donates monthly to the project and attendees at Reveal Vineyard Church fill a bin just about every week to help supply the rooms. Numerous other donations have come in from gift cards to food items. Donation items can be dropped off at Reveal church Sunday mornings or a pick up can be scheduled by clicking here. 
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Stay connected. Spread the word.It’s All In The System
By now y’all know that one of Revive’s biggest missions is supplying Dysart’s Title 1 schools with Resource Rooms. There’s been stories about all sorts of supplies – notebooks, backpacks, pencils, pants, shirts, underwear, shoes, hygiene supplies, and the list goes on. And on. But did you know it also includes food?
In each of the Resource Rooms is a food pantry stocked with non-perishable food. Cereal, Peanut Butter, Jelly, soups, canned vegetables and fruit, macaroni and cheese, applesauce, you name it. If it can be used in a meal, it’s probably there. So, “how” you say, “did it get there?” It’s all in the system. Every Friday, Mike Schuessler, a member of Reveal Vineyard Church, and very active volunteer for Revive, starts his trek. He travels Bell Road from the 303 in Surprise to as far east as 32nd Street. One week, he hands out flyers to all the major grocery stores explaining that he’s collecting for Revive and how the food is used and asking for donations. Sometimes, he’s able to pick up something on the spot. Other times, he waits. At some point during the week, he’ll get a few phone calls saying stores have a donation for him and he’ll pick it up the next Friday. Then a couple more phone calls, and another Friday trip. Every Friday, until the first Friday rolls around again and off he goes with more flyers to start the cycle all over. He’s consistent. And the stores know it. There are several stores who are “regulars” for Mike. He can count on them every month. Those stores are Sam’s Club, Walmart, Albertson’s, and Safeway. Thank them, if you get a chance. Each month, Mike fills an entire spare bedroom. It’s then picked up and distributed to the schools. One month, Mike picked up 170 boxes of cereal! Each month, he has at least 500 items donated. And that’s not all! Mike also works with Payless Shoes to help supply the Resource Rooms. This past month, Mike was able to purchase over 50 pairs of shoes. He has enlisted the help of friends and family, who will send him checks to put towards the shoe purchases. Payless helps him use coupons and BOGO’s to get the best deals he can. Lastly, Mike has nurtured a relationship with Kohl’s, who will frequently donate new clothing from their clearance racks. All of this also goes to the Resource rooms! Mike feels blessed to be involved in Reveal and looks for ways to help whenever he can. He gets so much out of being able to give back. Honestly, Mike has done SO much that we are the ones who are blessed to have Mike around! Mike Schuessler, Thank you! For all you do for our kids! |
For more information call 623-853-6347 or email Marty.
