A Small Act of Kindness

The Bethlehem Center is incredibly thankful to our supporters who give their time and resources to help youth and adults in South Chattanooga. During this summer alone, we’ve seen individuals young and old make an impact in their community by serving others selflessly.

Ms. Leslie, one of our devoted volunteers, recently shared a heartwarming moment about her friend’s daughters, Mary Margaret, Molly, and Charlee. The girls heard how much Ms. Leslie loves working with our 1st graders in the Read to Lead Academy by helping them read, learn math, and even teaching them how special and worthy they are of love. 

She also shared that some of our first graders come from hard backgrounds and how the Beth is a place where they can feel safe, loved, and important. The girls were sad to hear how girls not much younger than them have been through so much. They immediately wanted to help and had the perfect idea: to start a lemonade stand!  In just a few days the girls had their stand up and running, selling delicious lemonade to all their neighbors. Ms. Leslie was thrilled to report that the girls raised $15 dollars and wanted to donate it to the Read to Lead Academy. Their donation will help buy classroom toys!

These sweet girls are a great reminder that it doesn't take much to make an impact in your community and that just a little bit of kindness can go a long way.

Words from an Intern

At the beginning of summer, I was fortunate enough to land a media internship at the Bethlehem Center. Basically, I was in charge of making videos and snapping photos of kids in Jump STArt Camp. In truth, I had no idea what to expect, and I carried a hidden fear that I would wind up accomplishing little of importance during my time at the center. But now, after a few months of work, I can clearly see how shallow and pointless my concerns really were.

Despite a few setbacks in the form of lost SD cards and my habit of forgetting to read emails (my bad), I’ve had a fantastic time documenting the events of Jump STArt Camp. Whether it’s a trip to the Challenger Center, a week learning music with East Lake Expression Engine, or an abstract art lesson with a local celebrity painter such as Charlie Newton, the kids are always engaged and no day is ever the same. On a Monday I might be editing videos and then on Tuesday, I could be weeding around pepper plants in the garden with members of the community. There is always something going on at the Beth!

If I’m honest, there’s a legitimate sense of satisfaction that comes when working at the Beth which I didn’t expect. It’s mostly due to the fact that the Beth really is a benevolent and lifegiving center for South Chattanooga. For a long time when I thought about the nature of jobs and careers, I felt a lot of anxiety, mostly bound in a vague suspicion that quite a few jobs are largely inconsequential. However, when I see a family visit the food bank and leave with groceries they didn’t have before or see children practicing art or when I talk to a group of adults attending a community workshop, all my previous fears dissolve.  I feel relief with the knowledge that I am helping an organization that is doing some good in the world. 

Volunteer Testimony: Marco Perez

Hello, my name is Marco Perez. I am a senior at Howard High School.

I was one of many seniors that didn’t know where to go for my volunteer hours. I turned to my guidance counselor for help, and she gave me the number of the Director of Community Outreach, Gloria.