Lending a hand with the Three R’s
Tutoring at Simpson in the 1980’s
Simpson responded to the needs of youth in the early 1980’s by beginning a tutoring program at the church. This program gained recognition and an article about the program was published in New World Outlook magazine’s September 1984 issue.
Reverend Nathaniel Turner Lacy said: “ It is a logical extension of our outreaching ministry in Jesus Christ. It’s high priority, because our children need it.” He believed that what a child accomplishes in school would remain with them throughout life.
During this period, Simpson opened its doors twice weekly to children in grades two through twelve who need remedial help in school. In 1983, 29 tutors from Simpson and other churches donated 656 hours of time to 55 children. Reading was the primary focus of the program, but math was offered as well. In addition, a walk-in service for juniors and seniors in high school was available as well.
This program idea was born in 1979 when Mrs. Alfredine Armstrong, a public school reading specialist and Sunday School teacher noticed that some of her students couldn’t read bible passages when called upon. The program began, and in 1981 received and Ethnic Minority Local Church Grant (EMLC) grant. These monies made possible the purchase of tables and permanent shelving in the rooms set-aside for tutoring. At this time the relationship between CDOM (Charleston District Outreach Ministries) began. In 1982, $800.00 was a line item in the CDOM budget for tutoring.
The tutoring program is still alive and well at Community Development Outreach Ministries (the new name for CDOM). This program that began at our church has helped many children in our community. It lives our theme for the 133rd Anniversary: ‘Unifying Communities through Friendship, Fellowship and the love of Christ.”