Shepherd of the Valley has a relationship with La Luz Elementary School in order to show God’s love to our community. Project Shine promotes church partnerships with title one schools in the Albuquerque Public School district. The goal is to support our schools with no agenda to proselytize or preach. The focus of volunteers is to show love and care for children and those working with them. We are available to help with needs identified by the school.

 We made some great relationships with kids and teachers.

Here are some ways we were blessed to share God’s love to our partner school:

Volunteers read with, tutor, and mentor children. We sponsored a First Grade Family Incentive Reading Program. Members of the church sewed book bags, purchased and sorted books to give to children. Twenty-four families read 8,379 minutes with their students in April.

The program ended with a family pizza party and puppet show.

We supported the school with a Clothing Drive, Thanksgiving Baskets, and a Mitten Tree. The church responded to crisis needs when families became homeless and needed immediate assistance.

We bring food and pack Feed the Kids Weekend Food Bags to help fill the gap on the days children do not receive school lunches.

The church purchased and donated classroom books and supplies to fill specific teacher requests. We provided healthy snacks for PARCC testing days so kids could do their best.

We sponsor Teacher Appreciation events. We love working with these teachers and want to support them to help retain good teachers in Albuquerque schools