Broad Acres and Good Shepherd Partnership
Since 2007 GS has partnered with the JoAnn Leleck Elementary School at Broad Acres. What began as a one-time Advent mission outreach activity has blossomed into an annual supportive relationship.
Who was JoAnn (Jody) Leleck? In short, she was uniquely dedicated in her MCPS career to Broad Acres as a teacher, assistant principal, principal, and administrator. From 1999 to 2004 as principal she led a remarkable turnaround at one of the most impacted schools in Montgomery County. On October 1, 2014, the school name 'Broad Acres' was changed to the full name above.
What you should know about J. L. E.S. at Broad Acres
It holds the distinction, based on the socio-economic status of it's student population, of being the poorest school in the MoCo system. A school built for 500 students now serves nearly 850. Children speak many languages and over the years have represented almost 30 countries. The school primarily serves the Northampton and Southampton Drive apartments, et al, in the area north of Piney Branch and New Hampshire Avenue.
For 66%, English represents their second language. More than 95% qualify for "FaRMs", MCPS' Free and Reduced Meals program. For some of these children the in-school FaRMs breakfasts and lunches constitute their only regular sustenance. Their situation reverts and declines during Spring- and Christmas breaks, as well as during the summer.
Connection to Linkages to Learning
Through internal and external resolve, the formerly very poor performing-academic school has experienced (continues to experience) a turnaround in testing and proficiency but is still one of MoCo's struggling schools.
Along with Ms. Leleck, another huge factor in the school's turnaround has been the intervention of Linkages to Learning, a MoCo program under DHHS that provides accessible services to at-risk children and their families to improve adjustment to, and performance in, school, home, and community. Prevention and early intervention services include health, mental health, social services and educational support (including academic tutoring for students, mentoring and adult education classes, such as ESOL and literacy) to improve the well-being of children and their families through a collaborative delivery of school-based services that address the social, economic, health, and emotional issues that interfere with the academic success of a child.
How Good Shepherd got involved
GS reached out in 2007, buying Christmas presents and much needed clothes for six families. Sure, these kids (and subsequent) probably want(ed) toys more than clothes, just like your kids, but they really need new clothes too! And not just socks and underwear; I'm talking name brand jeans, jackets, and trends that are the equal of their peers. But I digress . . .
Every year-since, Linkages has served as an intermediary in selecting qualifying (read: poor) families with hardships and such. Each December GS acts to "adopt" 5 to 7 families to provide gifts for all family members, including sometimes decorations, and other Christmas help in the form of gift cards or money. We have delivered to families that have experienced domestic violence, illness, relocation, divorce, and similar challenges. We have delivered (way too often) to single-mom families. We have delivered to a family living in one bedroom of someone else's apartment. We have delivered to one woman and her children in hiding because she helped police identify and deport 21 MS-13 gang members.
Our Mission Grew
In 2009 our outreach grew to expand to include backpacks and school supplies, coat drives, the annual Holiday Shop (where kids can buy donated gifts -- maybe $5 to $15 or so to you and I -- for pennies on the dollar for their parents and siblings) and food collection.
Consider to be there the next time we deliver resources or Christmas gifts (especially) when the apartment door opens and the children squeal for joy at the sight of gifts, or the parents literally cry with thankfulness for their new-to-them coats or food gifts. Or assist a child in the Holiday Shop to select what is a nominal gift for us (makeup, wallet, costume jewelry, knick-knack) but "will be my Dad's most favorite gift . . ever!" because (for the first time ever) "I gave it to him!"
Your contribution behind the scenes (money and supplies) or on the front lines to shop, pack and deliver gifts and food makes a HUGE difference!
By Carol Penne
Update: Advent Families 2015
We served: 1) single mother of three who works nights to support her brood; 2) single mother of three, one with Downs Syndrome and 1yo; 3) family of 5 who are still dealing with devastating loss of oldest child in 2014** in a freak accident involving a parking lot driving lesson that went horribly out of control; 4) a family of seven, including two who are in special ed class due to speech and communication problems. The oldest child is in H.S. but works P-T job to help support the family.
Said Maria Hernandez, the family case manager and our contact, "Carol (and others) I do not want to spend the day without thanking all of you on behalf of our families for all that GSUMC does. God Bless!"
** A 33 yo woman was sentenced to only 2 months in jail (convicted only of minor criminal traffic offenses since prosecutors said her actions didn't rise to a level of criminal negligence) after her car jumped a curb at Eastern Middle School in July 2014 during an informal driving lesson and plunged down a grassy slope, killing 13-year-old Deborah Reyes Casasola. The teen had been watching a soccer game at the school. Said family appears to have prospered some since we last served them -- they have moved into a townhome from an apartment, and the mother has a home-based sewing station (she proudly showed a dress she made for her 8yo, who translated for the Mom, who speaks halting English) but one reason they moved was to escape drug activity at the old place. Plus, the Dad is suffering deep depression over the loss of his oldest daughter. His despair has hindered his continued employment so the family is hurting financially and emotionally. FYI, GS donated a cemetery plot for Deborah's burial.
Report on 2017 Christmas Advent Families
Five families, including 8 parents, and 16 children from 8 mo. to age 19, were feted with a Christmas that they might otherwise not have had, or at least to the degree that we were able to improve it for them. Four of those families were recommended to us by Linkages to Learning and the fifth one is a GS family.
GS was generous beyond expectations! The families shared back to us their travails, but also their great thanks for our outpouring. They shared pictures of their kids, told us of their work (many long hours, some work 2 jobs). They described how they cope with hungry mouths and growing kids but little to no disposable income; intertwined with illnesses and hardships that we lucky ones don't have to deal with. They told us of school, sports, and other activities that they would like to do more of, but are constrained by either home responsibilities or lack of money.
They (and we) pass along our thanks to the congregation for stepping up for: presents that they otherwise could not afford; Christmas stockings (a lot due to Leilani McConnell and Vernice Lee) that otherwise would not exist or would not be filled; grocery gift cards (each family received a minimum of $70!); games, trinkets, and small activities to pacify busy hands and minds; socks (lots of socks!!) for adults and kids; dolls and stuffed animals; and, well, you get the picture! None of it exists without the generosity of the GS family. Thanks!
Report on 2017 'Holiday Shop'
On Tue December 12 eight GS members hosted and staffed the annual Holiday Shop, wherein, children can purchase gifts for their parents on pennies on the dollar from donated options. The 'shop' opened at 3:15 and by the end of the day, more than 80 kids were accommodated to 'buy' gifts for their families. It is always wonderful to watch them pore over the decision to get just the right thing that 'Mommy and Daddy' will go ga-ga over! This event is one of the most uplifting of the year because we see instant gratification and smiles from kids that otherwise would be empty-handed to give gifts. Thanks to Carol Penne for organizing the Advent family tree and the Holiday shop. You're an angel!
