I've been involved at Bayshore Christian Ministries for a little over a year, but I'm still a baby compared to everyone else (just see the rest of the reviews)! It's clear to me now that through BCM God opens your eyes and gives you a heart for the kids of East Palo Alto, making it difficult to turn away. Through BCM's weekly Bible studies, I've seen God work in real ways in these kid's lives. I've come to see the harshness of the environment they live in where other kids are in gangs, their parents are in prison, and they feel destined to follow the same path. It makes it painfully clear that BCM provides true hope by showing them that God has a bigger plan for their life. These kids struggle with the tough questions, and they challenge me in turn to provide answers. At the end of the day, I'm blessed to serve these kids and a God who strengthens my faith.
I have been involved with Bayshore Christian Ministries for the past 9 years in a variety of capacities. God is clearly at work in this organization. I have seen students grow both academically and spiritually: I have seen students discover God's love for the first time. I have been the first one to tell a student that he/she has the potential to go to college. I have witnessed students being the first person from their family to graduate from high school. I have seen students advance 2 grade levels in our summer program. I have seen college students transformed through our summer internship. I have seen the joy on students faces after recording their own music CD. I have seen high school students transformed through receiving their first paycheck. I have seen many of our alumni come back to serve with the organization. I have heard students pray passionately for their families and friends. Besides seeing the youth and the community impacted, I know that I have changed and grown significantly through my involvement with BCM. God has opened my eyes and my heart and allowed me to see more of his kingdowm through BCM.
I have been involved with tutoring at BCM since I retired in 1992, and I have seen little kids grow up, go to college, get jobs and come back to tutor other kids. The students in East Palo Alto have many academic problems, and the BCM tutoring program provides great help to those kids. Many have little help at home, or from their peers at school, so having caring tutors is a big help to them.
I have volunteered at BCM for the last 4 years with the elementary school kids. Working with the kids, getting to know them, and seeing them improve academically makes my time there worthwhile. I'm always smiling when I walk out of the building after tutoring. BCM has made a tremendous impact in the East Palo Alto community. The staff has a heart for the youth they serve.. This is an organization that is always looking to better serve the needs of their community. I wish we had more volunteers so we could serve more kids.
