People move to Arroyo Grande, California, for one of two reasons: to work in the fields, or retire to the golf courses. The two cultures—immigrant workers and retiring professionals—rarely intersect. But the ministry at a local church connected them, and everyone is benefiting.
Five years ago, leaders at Grace Bible Church (www.gracevine.com) struggled with how to infuse significance into the daily lives of its retired people.
“Many of our people were settling into the second half of their lives,” says associate pastor Gary Clatterbuck. “We wanted to help them to have more purpose than how many golf games they got in that day.”
They named the ministry “Grace Alive” because “we wanted to make clear that this was a ministry for people who were vital and vibrant,” Gary says. After reading in the local news-paper North Oceano, a nearby elementary school that had the lowest test scores in the county, Gary went to visit the school principal, to ask how they could help. The principal was shocked by the offer.
Gary offered tutors, mentors and teacher’s helpers from among retired CEOs, rocket scientists, Ph.Ds and teachers with up to 30 years of experience.
“A group of Christians, no matter how qualified, wanting to walk into a school can naturally be suspect in some people’s minds,” he says. “But we told them our only goal was to give our lives to the younger generation.” The school invited volunteers to be involved.
The initial group of 30 volunteers discovered several basic needs. California law restricts bilingual education, so all classes must be taught in English. Since many children went home to parents who spoke only Spanish, leaving them with no homework help, the volunteers helped children with homework or listened to them read.
Measurable Success
The staff’s initial cautions soon melted into gratitude, and even the greatest skeptics began asking for more volunteers. And five years after Clatterbuck read the newspaper story, the school’s academic performance earned the rank of a California Distinguished School.
Many innovative programs and a dedicated principal and staff made this possible, but they share the credit with the volunteers from Grace Alive.
“These children are better off than they would have been if we hadn’t gotten involved,” says Gary, “and that becomes infectious.”
For five years Elaine Thomas has volunteered in kindergarten classes.
“When I walk in, the children have their hands in the air, pleading ‘Can I read with you?’ ” Elaine says. “I go once a week, and it’s so gratifying. The new test scores were such a thrill, and even though we’re just a small slice, we are part of the pie. That’s a joy.”
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