Service Learning Project- Gardening with Children

In January PJD incorporated an after-school program started by Proyecto Digna of San Felipe de Jesus Church. The after school partners with many organizations and individuals including: St. Joseph’s High School, Daughters of the American Revolution, Gladys Porter Zoo and the University of Brownsville, TX. These partnerships give the children many opportunities to participate in enrichment activities such as art, native dance, reading, etc. Most recently, UTB students from Dr. Kathy Webb’s Service Learning Education Class have worked with 30 children to plant gardens around the church parking lot (The parking lot also functions as a neighborhood walking track.) The parking used to be framed with weeds but the past 3 years Dr. Webb and her students have worked with the children in the after school program to plant native plants and gardens in the area. Each year the lot becomes more beautiful as plants grow and new ones are planted. What you and I see as a parking lot the children call a park…it is their park. They take great pride in what they have helped to create.

News of our Friend Andrea

Thanks to all of you who have held Andrea in your prayers these past months. After countless conversations and meetingswith the social workers of our local hospital, Andrea finally was able to qualify for Medicaid. She began chemotherapy last week and will soon begin radiation treatments. Please continue to pray for Andrea and her family. They have a long and hard road ahead.