Kids Count

News & Events

October 2008

Kids Count at Faith UMC off to a great start

Kids Count at Faith United Methodist Church, a new academic-focused after school program serving children from Rawlings Elementary who need more one-on-one support, is off to a great start.  Each afternoon 15 to 20 children walk over from Rawlings to a renovated church building where newly-plated flowers and an array of stimulating activities await them.  Elmira Goode, the Director, her assistants, and volunteers help the children with homework, reading, writing, and math.  Volunteers also share their talents with the children to provide special enrichment for them.  Some of the boys in the program need positive male role models, so Ms. Goode has brought in a male Assistant Director and male volunteers to serve as mentors.   When asked about what they like about the Kids Count program, one child noted, “We love each other because we are all friends.”

Kids Count in Alachua County is providing funding, volunteers, and organizational support to Faith UMC for this new program.  We are grateful for the community support we’ve received thus far to help enrich the lives of these children.  Volunteers are still needed to help with the children on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons from 2:30 to 5:00 pm.  Funds are needed as well to support this great new program.  

Supporting the children of Rawlings Elementary

Kids Count is currently focused on children who attend Rawlings Elementary, a school with over 85% of students from low-income families and average test scores dramatically lower than those in our more affluent schools.

Enhancing Academic Performance
Kids Count is supporting the Rawlings 21st Century Community Learning Center, an after school program helping students succeed in school through increased academic support. The program needs more volunteers to make a high-level impact on the children.  Kids Count recruits volunteers to serve as reading buddies, tutors, and mentors for this program. 

Enrichment to Inspire
Students need engaging enrichment activities that open up the world and inspire them for the future.  Kids Count organizes a wide variety of enrichment such as chess (a new program and a big success), music (guest musicians), culture (Indian dance), and hands-on activities (nature-related events by UF faculty).

August 2008

Junior League of Gainesville Support

The Junior League of Gainesville (JLG) has many activities planned with community partners this year, including Kids Count. With the support and enthusiasm of the President, Donna Jo Toney, the JLG plans to make a significant impact in the children’s lives in our community. The JLG volunteers will help with Kids Count’s first after school program that is not on a school campus. It will be located at the Faith United Methodist Church. Lead by committee chair, Nancy Walsh, the volunteer team will plan enrichment programs for the children in this program and will help make it a success. The JLG will also provide financial support to assist with the program.

The JLG is able to support programs like Kids Count through its fundraisers, the JLG Tour of Kitchens & Gardens and its Thrift Store on Main Street. It is an organization that is committee to promoting volunteerism, developing the potential of women and improving the community through the effective actions and leadership of trained volunteers.