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2009
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Send LinkPembroke Area Family Services: Journal
Odum Home Residents Attend Violence Protection Program
10.17.2008
Odum Home youth attended a youth program on September 27 hosted by Stedman Baptist Church. Bradley Jones, a member of the Youth Violence Prevention Program/City Impact, invited the residents to attend. The organization's mission statement is to help youth realize their value in society and develop a desire to be productive citizens. Children had the opportunity to hear testimonies from former gang members of how God changed their lives. The organization also gave out autographed magazines. Bradley Jones and his mother surprised the youth with a prearranged visit to Shoe Show Shoe and purchase sneakers for each child in care. The youth are grateful to Stedman Baptist Church hosting the event. They truly enjoyed the program as well as the food, the games, and the fellowship.
Pastor Teaches Children Tennis, Resident Writes About the Experience
10.16.2008
Pastor Jeff Mitchell of Oak Grove Baptist Church in Lumberton is a former tennis instructor who donates his time to Odum Home residents teaching them how to play tennis. Eleven residents have signed up for the classes. A 15-year-old child in care wrote the following article about her experience: I enjoy tennis practice. I have a great coach - Pastor Jeff. It also gives me a chance to associate with other kids outside of my cottage. It's really easy once you know what you are doing. Tennis takes a lot of time and patience. You have to be really dedicated. It's a slow process because you have to learn the basics. When I say "basics," I mean like holding the tennis racket just right and throwing the ball at a good angle when you serve. To play tennis you have to practice really hard. For some tennis layers, playing comes naturally. You have to learn a forehand, backhand, a spike, and other kinds of things. Being physically fit is very important when you're playing a sport like tennis. You have to run and exercise. Believe it or not, exercising helps increase your speed, ability, and your jumps. Although that sounds like a lot of work, you always have fun in the end and all your hard work pays off. For about 85% of the people, playing a sport or joining a club lifts up their self-esteem by interacting with other people - like you and me!