Local Faith Community Network steering committees, which exist in each of the 15 juvenile justice districts, are the guiding force of this enterprise, with the Department playing the role of supporting partner. In January 1998, up to 150 students started coming to a south St. Petersburg church for tutoring. Parents not only brought in their children, but many got involved. A lot of the students are doing better in school now. Some were cussing and raising sand when they came in.
Church is that village that helps to raise that child.
When a student is turned around, he's changed his whole attitude. If he or she is not successful in the classroom, he or she will go back to where they were. Social change without education is zero. So far about half the churches in this part of St. Petersburg have said they are interested in opening their arms and facilities to similar programs. Leading the way has been Dr. Lewis Edwards, president of the Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance, and Rainey, director of the alliance's educational program.