Community Outreach Program of Roanoke

The Community Outreach Program is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization improving the quality of life of inner city children living in poverty in the city of Roanoke, Virginia by providing tutoring, school supplies and programs such as You Feed Others (UFO) weekend meals, Clothing Closet, Christmas Angels and Camp. In the 2011/2012 program year 83 registered children received 10,410 meals.

Mission

The Community Outreach Program strives to improve the quality of life of children and their families, living in poverty, and in the inner city, by providing a safe and nurturing environment, where all God's children are mentored academically, spiritually, emotionally, and physically

Description

Our program began in September of 1989, by the United Methodist Women of Trinity UMC, as an outreach to the children living in downtown neighborhoods. We met once each week and had a warm meal together. As word spread about the program, more and more volunteers wanted to help. Today, UMCOPR serves 100 children of low socioeconomic status in the inner city of Roanoke, VA. September to May, the children are transported from their homes three nights each week by staff in vans, while a group of volunteers is waiting at the church and have prepared the meals the children will eat for dinner. After dinner, from 6:30-7:30pm, children are engaged in learning: math, spelling, reading, specialty and bible lessons, and even physical education. The programming is varied and tailored to individual needs and goals. We also offer special dinners and fun events for families at Thanksgiving and Christmas, as well as provide school supplies, weekend meal packs from our You Feed Others (UFO) program, free clothing from our Clothes Closet, Camp scholarships to the local camp Alta Mons, VBS, and Christmas Angels to ensure all children experience the season of giving.

Volunteer Opportunities:

Meal Volunteers: UMCOPR is nothing without the dedication of its meal volunteers that ensure meals are purchased, delivered, prepared, served, and even cleaned up anywhere from one day each month to once a year. Their services go beyond caring for their neighbor-- they are serious about service to those in poverty. If you have a group who would like to sign up for a meal slot, we would love to hear from you.

Tutors: Week in and week out our tutors ensure that each child learns and grows at their own unique pace.

Listeners/Readers: Book after book our listeners patiently hear children beginning to read, form thoughts, and dream dreams through learning to read.

Drivers to transport children to our services.

We are always in need of people who want to share the gift of their time and talents with the children at UMCOPR. Please consider offering your time to a child who needs a listening ear, a warm meal, or someone to double-check homework.

Or, if you would like to make a gift to UMCOPR, please make Checks payable to Community Outreach Program of Roanoke.