Outreach

Hands and Feet

An Outreach Program of The Gathering . . . Church for Real
Website: www.gatheringchurch.org/outreach.html

Executive Director: Ann Donaghy, ann_donaghy@yahoo.com, (916) 575-8930

Mission Statement: Hands and Feet exists to fulfill a need for Christ's love for Natomas kids and their families through mentoring, community building, and service.

Vision Statement: Hands and Feet is recognized as an effective community partner in reducing high school drop out rates, inhibiting violence, and ensuring the long-term success of low-income students across the Greater Natomas region.

Concept: Hands and Feet Homework Club

• Free mentoring for all resident children (grades K-12) in the community rooms of Natomas area apartment complexes.
• Communicate with Natomas Unified School District teachers in an effort to address specific needs.
• Help meet the district objective of having all students meet or exceed grade level expectations in Language Arts.
• Gather baseline and post data in reading as a means to measure student growth and program effectiveness.
• Communicate with Natomas Unified School District teachers in an effort to address specific needs and to help meet the district objective of having all students meet or exceed grade level expectations in Language Arts and math.
• Gather baseline and post data in reading, math, and standardized testing as a means to measure student growth and program effectiveness.
• Provide a healthy snack, assist students with homework, teach basic academic and social skills, and provide fun academic games for off-track students.
• Implement a variety of Fun Friday activities for all resident children: guest speakers; cooking for families (followed by community meal and parent workshop on topics such as Nonviolent Communication, assertive discipline, financial planning); art and song; game night; field trips; and community service projects.

Advisory Board:
Jenny Ruggiero, Manager, USA Properties
David Banuelos, LifeSTEPS, Regional Director of Social Services

"All children need an environment where they can learn, seek guidance and make friends and this is what Hands and Feet Homework gives our children. Our children need every opportunity to learn, and that opportunity extends beyond the bell at the end of the day. That is what Hands and Feet Homework club is designed to do. The program is also successful in keeping our children off the streets and out of harm's way after school ends."
Lisa Kaplan, Trustee, Natomas School Board

"The key to eliminating poverty and hardship for our future is through love and education.  Hands and Feet provides both and has the potential to impact a vast number of lives through the children, their families, and the communities they live in."
Regina Stafford, Natomas Rotary Club President