Open Prayer, Fall 2009
September 28th, 2009
From the beginning, ACCESS has built its program on a foundation of prayer and listening to God's direction. Join us at our site in Chinatown for the next quarterly prayer meeting on Saturday, October 3, 9:00-11:00 a.m. as we seek God's guidance in being God's extended hands in Chinatown. Whether you can come pray with us on site or will pray at home, please bring to the Lord the following:
English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)
Thank God for...- the return of our existing teachers and 2 new ESOL teachers.
- an additional volunteer tester at the start of a new semester.
- the success of the ESOL scholarship program.
- grant money received from English for New Bostonians and the Chinatown Trust Fund.
- cohesiveness of our ESOL team on a spiritual level
- students' adjustments to new teachers, classmates and classrooms.
- the level 1-1 morning class as some students struggle with a non-bilingual teacher.
- the implementation of the ENB grant and the administration of proficiency assessment.
- successful grant award from the Lenny Zakim Fund.
Enrichment Program (EP)
Thank God for...- the successful completion of summer programs, including the 3rd annual Summerbridge week staffed by volunteers from CBCGB.
- continued relationships between our students, staff and volunteers.
- valued experience and relational strength of our returning
- teachers; many have been at ACCESS for five or more years.
- an EP mother, a new Christian, as a result of Stephen Tong's recent evangelistic rallies in Boston.
- 10 more students to enroll, especially in K-2nd grade.
- the success of a grant being written designed to improve
- English language skills of 5th grade boys.
- the successful implantation of the two front teeth of one of our 4th graders who fell on the playground last week.
Computer Literacy Classes
Thank God for...- 3 classes scheduled to start at the beginning of October.
- more volunteers to teach different levels of computer courses.
- direction as we explore more effective use of our computer lab.
- The possibility of upgrading hardware in the lab.
Family Life
Thank God for...- recent baptism of a single mother who used our family support services.
- wisdom in planning the first EP parents' meeting this year and in supporting single parents, especially mothers with boys, (about 25% of the EP students are parented by a single parent).
- wisdom in helping several EP students with learning and/or emotional needs.
- for Mrs. Lo, Mrs. Siu and Mrs. Wong as they demonstrate God's love in their work with parents and families, many struggling with complex problems.
Statewide Head Injury Program (SHIP)
Pray for...- success in our application and start of this new program.
Administration & Volunteer Support
Thank God for...- our staff and volunteers who continue to serve so faithfully.
Board & Committees
Thank God for...- faithful and active Board and committees.
- 2010 board and committee recruitment, that God would bring the right people, particularly as we undertake a process of reviewing our personnel structure.
- success in new efforts in communicating with supporters, fundraising, and grant-writing.
- supporters who will consider regular, ongoing support for the ESOL scholarship program.
- $30K projected annual deficit for 2009.