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From Chaos to Compassion Organizing Impactful Service Projects for Kids
Episode 72
Pastor says kids need learn about serving others. Let's plan service project.
I'm nodding thinking sure sounds good until he looks at me like I'm supposed to figure out how to make this happen without everyone getting hurt or traumatized.
Kids who can't sit still for story time now supposed to do meaningful community service? This seems like recipe for disaster but also know they need actually do something instead of just talking about being nice.
Thought kids could help at soup kitchen like adults do. Showed up with twelve kids expecting to jump right in. Kids can't handle hot food or reach counters and mostly just stood around watching grown-ups work while getting increasingly restless.
Not exactly the meaningful experience I was hoping for.
Food pantry sorting worked better cause kids love putting things in categories. Animal shelter was good cause kids love animals and could actually help dogs feel better.
Marcus asked homeless man why he didn't just buy food at grocery store. Emma wondered why people live in shelters instead of houses. Realized suburban church kids have no clue about poverty.
Now I prep them ahead about situations they'll see without overwhelming them with world's problems they can't handle.
Transportation nightmare when half parents working and other half don't have cars for field trips. Scrambling for carpools last minute while parents texting complaints.
Planned three hour project thinking more time equals more helping. Kids maxed out after hour and half then just wanted go home play video games.
Marcus who asked about buying food now saves allowance for shelter supplies cause he gets it better. Emma wants volunteer as family cause wants help more people.
That's when you know it worked. Kids wanting continue instead of checking good deed off their list.
*For anyone tasked with organizing kid service projects, people discovering suburban kids need reality preparation, leaders learning that short focused beats long elaborate every time.
Check out KidsMinistry.Blog for more ideas, tips, and resources to help your Children's Ministry thrive!"
Published on 1 week, 2 days ago