“We’re Not Going Away”

She came in the door and headed straight for the sign-in log (hurrah, routine pays off!) Jasmine (volunteer) was supervising the sign-in process; I was sitting right next to the sign-in location. Jasmine and I strained to hear her say something under her breath. It’s unusual to even hear her say anything. Jasmine and I looked at each other with a question mark and then turned to this weekly participant in our after school program to ask her to repeat herself: “I don’t want to leave Reach” were her whispered words. Again Jasmine and I looked questioningly at each other… what did she mean? Jasmine asked her. The 8 year old’s reply came as just a slightly louder whisper, “today is the last day of Reach, and I don’t want it to end.” Tears looked like they were about to roll out of her eyes. Jasmine leaned down closer… “oh but (name withheld), this is only the last day of THIS year. Reach will still be here after you come back to school in January and you can come back for Creative Connections!” The little girl’s face lit up with this assurance and she happily sat at the table, ready for the day’s activity.

Which brings me to that day’s activity. Caroling in the Reach neighborhood. The weeks before we made sure parents and kids knew we were going to be walking around the neighborhood on this last week of Fall 2008 Creative Connections, and to make sure they dressed warmly. (I scraped together all the extra hats, scarves and mittens I could find just in case.) Jessica and I had made little packages of cookies, ready to fill the bags being decorated by the children and finished off with a card the kids also made wishing the neighbors “Happy Holidays from Reach Studio”.

It was cold, but the children were excited to take their “gifts” to the neighbors. Each child had a turn knocking on a door, and when opened, handed the package proudly to the neighbor. Then we broke out in a couple of songs. What pure joy to watch the smiles on the neighbors faces (many of whom, I’m sure, we took by total surprise). In spite of the over zealous rambunctiousness of several of the boys threatening to dampen the spirit of the occasion, it was incredibly satisfying to see the children’s enthusiasm and joy as they would REACH out (smile face) beyond themselves to the neighbors. Sharing hot chocolate, cookies and stories when we got back to Reach was ever-so rewarding. Mission: Get to know Reach neighbors. Break down barriers. Help our neighbors know that Reach is part of their neighborhood, and here to serve them. I pray that this and many other opportunities that we are given through Reach get us closer to “mission accomplished”.