After the “Buying” Holiday weekend, don’t forget about #GivingTuesday. #GivingTuesday (TODAY, Nov. 29th) is the day after Cyber Monday, one of the biggest spending days of the year. #GivingTuesday is when you or an organization help others through the gift of your time, donations, goods or your voice.
Today, Philly Speaks highlights a program dedicated to enriching the youth through education, Bethel Academy. Bethel Academy opens its doors to serve the children of Ardmore and Lower Merion every school year. Bethel Academy is a volunteer, outreach tutoring program which serves the minority community of Lower Merion and Ardmore. The program offers a FREE afterschool tutoring and homework help for students in kindergarten through 8th grade. The program also serves ESL students who study English as a second language.
The program encourages scholastic achievement in our community’s young students with a focus to combat the achievement gap that exists often with students of color regardless of socio-economic background.
Bethel Academy is a ministry of the Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Ardmore, PA led by Rev. Carolyn C. Cavaness. In addition to the academic programs, they also offer a variety of enrichment programs including a music program for string instruments and tennis lessons in the Fall and Spring.
This Friday December 2nd, Bethel Academy will host their Annual ‘Designer Bag Bingo’ Event to raise funds for ongoing programs. The event will take place from 6:30-9:30pm at Penn Wynne Elementary School 250 Haverford Road Wynnewood, PA 19096. The ticket includes 20 rounds of Bingo, trivia and a selection of gift baskets that will be raffled off.
Tickets are available and can be purchased on Eventbrite.
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Philly Speaks had the opportunity to interview, Rev. Carolyn Cavaness a young female pastor who is the leader of Bethel AME Church in Ardmore and Bethel Academy.
Please give us a brief description of the Bethel Academy Tutoring program.
For over 10 years, Bethel AME Church of Ardmore has offered a volunteer tutoring program and academic enrichment. Bethel Academy is a volunteer, outreach tutoring program which serves the minority community of Lower Merion and Ardmore, but is open to any child in the community. The program offers a FREE afterschool tutoring and homework help for students in kindergarten through 8th grade. The program also serves ESL students who study English as a second language.
In addition to academic programs, what else do you offer?
In addition to the academic programs, we also offer a variety of enrichment programs including a music program for string instruments and tennis lessons in the Fall and Spring. We want to be a resource to the community beyond the four walls of our sanctuary, and by providing a nurturing environment for school age children to learn and grow we are lifting up our local families.
Any success stories to share?
Over the past 10 years, over 200 students have participated Bethel Academy. The program has established a positive dialogue between the Lower Merion School district and community constituents. We consider our success stories seeing former Bethel Academy students participate fully in the academic and extracurricular activities of their respective schools.
Tell us about your upcoming Annual Designer Bag Bingo Event?
On Friday, December 2, 2016, Bethel Academy will host their annual designer bag bingo event to raise money for ongoing programs. The event will take place from 6:30-9:30pm at Penn Wynne Elementary School 250 Haverford Road Wynnewood, PA 19096. The ticket includes 20 rounds of Bingo, trivia and a selection of gift baskets that will be raffled off. Tickets are available and can be purchased on Eventbrite.
What is the fundraising goal?
Our fundraising goal is $5,000.00 for the Designer Bag Bingo Event.
If you are interested in volunteering with Bethel Academy or registering a student, who should they contact?
Anyone who wants to register their child for tutoring can do so on our website at http://www.bethelacademy.net/ Anyone interested in serving as a volunteer tutor can contact Rev. Carolyn Cavaness at Bethel AME Church of Ardmore at 610-642-9866
“We want to be a resource to the community beyond the four walls of our sanctuary, and by providing a nurturing environment for school age children to learn and grow we are lifting up our local families,” said Rev. Cavaness.
By: Tiffanie Stanard, Host/Producer @PhillySpeaks @TiffanieStanard
