Service+Learning+Projects

__HELP FOR HOMEFRONT__ HomeFront, a local agency located approximately .5 mile from Slackwood School, assists homeless families in finding housing and assisting them in meeting various needs they have for shelter and clothing. Students at various times have collected items to donate to HomeFront, including books, toys, clothing, and food.

__HELPING HANDS FOR APPALACHIA__ Slackwood School students and staff have helped families in the Appalachian regions of Phelps, Kentucky and areas of West Virginia by providing food, items for personal care, clothing, boots, and toys. Working with Liberty Street Church of Christ in Hamilton, New Jersey, items have been collected and distributed to families who do not have access to government assistance programs or easy availability to stores to purchase much-needed items for their families. Gifts for Christmas have been donated as well. Students decorated paper bags for church members Ellen and Al S. to fill with small toys, toothpaste, toothbrushes, candy, or other gifts for school children in the region. Each wished the children happy holidays with decorations painted by students under the supervision of art teacher Jill Lee-You. Students learned about Appalachia and the poverty of the region as well as the needs that exist in that area of the United States as part of their service learning project.

__STUDENTS CHANGE HUNGER!__ Slackwood School students and staff donated 180 pounds of food to Mercer Street Friends Food Bank to assist families and children in need of food in Mercer County, New Jersey. The program was coordinated by student teachers Kimberly Kidd, Kristen Perrine, Jennifer Van Leeuwen, and Margaret Walsh from Rider University, along with Amy Valentino, Slackwood's Coordinator of Service Learning Projects. In addition, Slackwood School won an early bird award for registering Slackwood School so early in the project. The staff of Mercer Street Friends were thankful for the food donations and gave a tour of the facility to the student teachers when they delivered the food. To obtain more information and to see a short, informational video, go to [].