NAMI Presentation in Our High School Program

N.A.M.I., the National Alliance for Mental Health came in to present their Ending the Silence Presentation. Their presenters went over common mental illnesses, how to identify signs of mental health struggles in ourselves and others and healthy coping mechanisms to deal with our mental health.

Talbert House Service Dogs gave our Primary Kids a Visit!

Graduation and Spring Program

Another school year is over and students are moving on to new grades, new schools and new experiences. These milestone moments bring out sentiments of joy, pride, and sadness. We celebrated our students, and their accomplishments this year with our end-of-the year Spring Program in Grant Park, followed by a community cookout. We are so proud of our Wesley Chapel Kids, and excited to witness what great people they are growing up to be.

Wesley Somerset Night

March is Women’s History month! Our after-school programs are learning about women in the Bible this month, such as Sarah, Rebekah, Ruth and Esther. STAR Club kicked off women's history month by discussing Malala Yousafzai, a women’s education activist and the youngest-ever Nobel Peace laureate. We are also diving deeper into this season of Lent, reflecting on God’s word and doing devotionals.

Observatory Trip

WCMC students explored the cosmos at the Cincinnati Observatory last month. This trip was preceded by STAR Club students learning about NASA.

Cincinnati Museum Center

We had a special guest join us on our recent Discovery Trip to the Cincinnati Museum Center. Doris Bell accompanied our 7-12th grade students on their tour of the Holocaust and Humanity Center (located within the Museum Center). Mrs. Bell was born in 1936. Her father was a soldier and her mother sewed and made mattresses. She resided in Pforzheim, Germany during World War II, where she experienced the bombing of her city. Her thoughts after touring the Holocaust and Humanity Center with WCMC were, “Why couldn't people just sit down and talk; why did there have to be war?” We are so grateful to Mrs. Bell for sharing her story and spending time with us!

Flooding Disrupts Learning

A recent water valve malfunction at Rothenberg Preparatory Academy (the elementary school on East Clifton Avenue) has caused extensive damage by flooding the school. The school has issued remote learning will start from February 9th and will remain closed until further notice, which has left students in our neighborhood without a proper learning environment.

In these trying times, Wesley Chapel Mission Center came forward to provide a safe and conducive learning space for these students. We understand the importance of stability and security and the impact that disruptions like this can have on children and families as well. That is why we are offering learning support from 8:00 am - 2:00 pm in our spaces, as well as our regular after-school programming from 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm to support the children and families in our community. Our program has always been dedicated to providing a safe place for children to learn with the resources they need to succeed, and this is no exception!

Homelessness Awareness and Education

Our primary group (PreK-3rd grade) spent the month of January learning about homelessness. They completed a 30-day challenge created by the Homeless Coalition to help raise awareness and help those in need in our community.

Through this interactive project, students gained empathy for the homeless folks they see on the street, and learned what resources are available to people. To wrap up the 30-day challenge, we had a speaker from the homeless coalition speak to our PreK-6 grade students, as well as a woman who was previously homeless and is now a published author!

After learning about homelessness, and considering the needs of folks in their community, the students decided to hold a food and clothing drive. The programs are competing to see which one can bring in the most food and gently-used clothing. Items will be donated to Our Daily Bread and Mary Magdalene House. If you’d to contribute to the drive, drop off your canned goods and new or gently used clothing at 70 East McMicken Ave. The drive ends on March 3rd!

3D Printing at WCMC

7th graders De’mareion Holmes and Geonna Johnson spent the last few weeks building a 3D printer from the ground up. This was no easy task as they had to follow complex instructions and connect a multitude of wires and components. Alongside our Technology teacher Mr. Beck, they gained a deeper understanding of the technology behind 3D printing and how it works. They also learned about the importance of perseverance, problem-solving skills, and the satisfaction that comes from creating something from scratch.

The Ark Encounter

In late January, we went on a Discovery Trip to the Ark Encounter in Williamstown, Kentucky. Children and adults alike were amazed by the immersive experience of being on a full-scale ark, along with models of animals and people. We learned the story of Noah and every detail of his journey on the ark and even saw some live animals in their outdoor zoo. Filled with awe and wonder, the kids explored every last detail, imagining, and even stopping to pray. We’re so grateful to be able to share transformative experiences like this one.