Champions

 

 

Who We are:

The Center for Champions recognizes that God has called us to bring  hope and help in the inner city to the at-risk children and youth, to the discouraged single parent, to the lost young man; indeed to whole   families experiencing economic, social, educational and spiritual poverty.

We accomplish this mission as we reach out in ways that meet the needs and also the interests, talents, and giftings of the people we serve.  We believe that God has given each of us unique talents.   Therefore, Center for Champions uses many approaches to impact the children, teens, young adults, and families who participate in our program. We get to know these families and find out their needs and  wants. Then we attempt to provide programs and ministries to address these issues.  Below is a list of some of these present programs. 

Who is being reached? 

                                                                             

As of fall 2006, we serve at-risk, minority African-American, Latino, and Egyptian families in economically depressed sections of Harrisburg and Steelton. We have over 55+ children and teens in our after school program, four days a week. We reach out to 30+ parents. About 15 teen and young girls are in our dance program.  

HARRISBURG INNER CITY GENERAL STATISTICS

About 700 inner city youth entered 9th grade, a few years ago, less than 200 graduated.  Drug use and sales, crime, territorial violence among youth, arson, insufficient affordable rental housing for low income families, and fatherlessness causing a majority of single parent homes, are some of the problems in the inner-city areas of both Harrisburg and Steelton.  The Harriburg area has the highest reported cases of child abuse per capita in the state. 

Our Staff

Presently on staff we have seven qualified part-time and full-time individuals. Many come with degrees in social work or education and/or many years of experience in working with inner city youth and families.

Our current staff members include:

Richie Lewis, Director

Denise Wendle, Executive Director/ Founder,

Linda Semke, K-3 teacher and mentor, family advocate

Gloria Hairston, Class aid, mentor and bus driver

Micalagh Beckwith, Administrative Assistant/Teen teacher and mentor

Victoria Stanley, 3-5 teacher and mentor

 Victoria,

 Michalagh, Amber, Melvin, Richie, Denise.

 

 

Gloria and Linda.