Helping Children Thrive

Every month, between 50 and 100 United Methodist Women members volunteer to help with the literacy program or its food and clothing program. Since 2000, between 3,000 and 5,000 United Methodist Women members have volunteered.“Our relationship with United Methodist Women is very open,” said Esparza. “United Methodist Women members are very loving. They are generous, and they are always there for us. They do their best to respond when we inform them of a special need.”Grandstaff explained, “UCC has a very special place for United Methodist Women. It was United Methodist Women that first proposed starting Wesley, one of its locations. And the ties and respect remain very strong.”The centers serve 250 children during the school year and 450 over the summer.“Literacy is a major project for us during the school year as well as during the summer,” Esparza explained. During the summer of 2019, we offered sessions in four schools as well as our three campuses.”The emphasis on the most vulnerable children perfectly fits United Community Centers’ mission. It helps create a brighter future for those for whom it could be most dark.- - -This episode originally appeared in the July/August 2020 issue of response, the award winning magazine from United Methodist Women.Visit www.UnitedMethodistWomen.org to find out more.