Faith In Action Xtreme’s focus is to assess and meet needs in the areas of Tutoring, Mentoring, Military, Elder Care, and Foster Care. Prior to the development of these five areas, New Hope Church of Rancho Penasquitos paved the way in the areas of tutoring and mentoring with the development of Building Leaders As Servants Today or BLAST, formerly known as the Homework Club. After observing neighborhood kids spending time afterschool outside without adult supervision, Phil Harris, former pastor of New Hope, began picking up trash off the street in an effort to serve people in the community and build relationships. At that time, God began to burden his heart for the families and the kids’ needs for  academic assistance and enrichment through the message of salvation.

After a few years of hosting the program at an off-campus location, the principal of Los Penasquitos Elementary School agreed to allow the program to operate on the school campus. Now, approximately 100 kids are receiving the help and attention that they desperately need at the before and after school programs at Los Penasquitos.

In the mornings, working parents can drop off their children with the staff of five as early as 6:30am. The kids get their brains going in a laid-back setting with quiet table games, reduced price breakfast, homework completion, and outdoor activities. According to yearly evaluations conducted by Melanie Beckstrom, director of the BLAST program, parents and teachers observe that this jump-start to the school day improves overall performance. “The kids do perform better. Not only are they getting academic assistance and a meal, but they are getting their brains going,” Melanie said.

In the afternoons, six staff members and up to 15 adult and high school volunteers devote at least an hour to homework assistance. The kids spend the remaining time eating snacks, playing games, learning music, making crafts, and taking part in other enriching projects. Each day the staff and volunteers take time to emphasize a character building theme such as respect, responsibility, citizenship, integrity, and cooperation. “We do much more than just help with homework and help kids get better grades,” Melanie stated.

Similar programs have since begun in Poway. Rancho Bernardo Presbyterian Church, in partnership with Missions On The Edge or MOTE, sponsors Midland and Valley Elementary School’s Homework Club programs. Dr. David Walden, adjunct professor at Bethel Seminary and founder of MOTE, has seen approximately 500 families plugged into churches through relationships fueled by the homework clubs. “The bottom line is to build relationships. Before you know it, you are plugging people in.”

Melanie sees opportunities for more church-school partnerships to start up throughout San Diego. “There is just such a great need in our communities for people to be served. I don’t think it’s the government’s responsibility to provide those kinds of services. It is the responsibility of the churches. Services can be provided by anyone, but if the right heart isn’t behind it, it is just a service.”

With the majority of students in over 150 San Diego public elementary schools not achieving grade level, churches have plenty of opportunities to build relationships with families all over the county.  Melanie would advise churches who are interested to start small and realize that every community is unique. “Do what you can do and go from there. Let God lead you.”

Whether you’re interested in tutoring a child once a week or starting an afterschool program in your area, let FIAX be your link! Click here for more information.