Volunteers act as teachers and classroom assistants, kitchen helpers, music director, and superintendent of discipline. Key to this effort is the ecumenical nature of the program. No one congregation could have supported this ministry by itself. That we are working together as members of the body of Christ for the welfare of the children in town is part of the message being sent to the community, and the community has responded with much encouragement. No fee was set for participation in the program so that no child would be excluded for financial reasons.
Funds are readily available.
One family has directed memorial funds from a funeral to the Stepping Stones program. And the children, they are wonderful, energetic, ornery, needy, giving, gifting us as volunteers, and responding to the stories and the presence, care, time, concern, and prayers of Christian people. From the list of children who have attended, nearly half have no connection with a congregation in town. The level of chaos week to week can be high, as well as the level of frustration. This is long-term work we are doing, so there are times when it's not clear that we have done anything.