Now, some days can be difficult, and it may seem like nothing being said is actually sinking in; but then there are also some days with great

victories. You see, you are never too young to know God’s love and begin following Him. “We need to love God and love others,” said one of our seven year old boys

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Newsletter ~ First Quarter 2006

Let the Little Children Come... If someone walks into my house for the first time, she might think I have children of my own after seeing the crayon drawings that wall-paper my refrigerator door. I have no children of my own, but I am blessed to work with and love about twenty amazing children from the Summerhill after school program. The truth is, I am “refrigerator-door-proud” of these kids!

There is something far deeper, however, than just crayon drawings happening at the after school program. The first thing that stood out to me when I came to ASP this year was how eager the children were to bless the snack or say a prayer for devotion. When the time came to pray, tons of little hands shot up to volunteer, and some couldn’t help but to murmur a small “I want to pray! I want to pray!” It is encouraging seeing a bunch of young hearts excited about God and learning more about Him.

Serving Inner-City Youth and Families Summerhill Community Ministries, Inc.

Honor Roll Students!

Jonquaria Scott

Kevin Payton

Bianca Smith

Joshua Wilkins

Myleodre Jones

Jordan Wilkins

Shakkia Walker

Thanks goes to Christ Church for the donation of a 15 passenger van!

“Let the little children come to me and

do not hinder them, for the kingdom of

God belongs to such as these...”

Page 2 Summerhill Community Ministries, Inc.

Sally Doster is the wife of Dick Doster and mother of two. Sally has been working with SCM for about five years now and is loved dearly by the kids and Justina’s family. She faithfully volunteers on Mondays at the After School Program. She is especially known for her delicious, fun snacks which the kids look forward to time after time. She also helps plan and chaperone during summer camp field trips, occasionally cooks hot meals for Justina’s family, supports many of the Summerhill sports along with Dick and is a big cheerleader of the ministry. She wrote an article for Christ Church’s bulletin. The day it was posted, there was a young lady visiting for the first time. Her name was Anna Winter. Her heart was pricked for the ministry and she

Salute to Sally

Khamirah Miller, a senior at Southside High School, was chosen as a 2006 recipient of the “Beat the Odds” award. Since 1992 this annual award has been given to seven high school seniors in Fulton County. Applicants were chosen based on their G.P.A, community involvement and a one-page essay detailing obstacles or difficult situations they’ve had to face. Khamirah wrote about the adversity in her life over the past years and was delighted when she was informed that she had been chosen as one of the winners. Recipients all received $1,000 which included a $350 shopping spree.

Beat the Odds

after he had earlier thanked God for forgiving our sins in an opening prayer. I just sat back in wonder and thought, “Yes! He gets it!” These children are truly an example of child-like faith that our Father desires for all of us to have.

I believe these kids are a light to their families and their community. They are being taught the bold truth of God and are carrying it out to others, whether they realize it or not. I see Christ working in their lives either by a simple act of sharing or maybe by trying to not lie anymore. I pray we would have the same passion and excitement these little ones express!

“Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” Mark 10:14-15

Anna Winter

(Continued from page 1)

Khamirah and the other winners were also honored at a banquet where they had dinner with the commissioners from the Atlanta districts at the Omni Hotel. The evening’s host was Donna Lowry from Channel 11 News. At the dinner they were presented with a checking account set up with their name in the check book and a $2,000 opening deposit, a Coca Cola luggage set, an Ipod, and a new laptop.

Each recipient shared their personal story on a video presentation. As Khamirah's story

was shared, there was not a dry eye in the room. It was a very emotional night for Khamirah as this public sharing of painful memories continues her healing process.

Khamirah is one of the teen girls that has volunteered in the SCM after school program. She attends the basketball

games, assists Justina, makes sure the teams have Gatorade, uniforms, and keeps the stats. She is also trusted to keep score for Atlanta Youth Project. Khamirah attends church with Justina’s family on Sundays. She is a candidate for the teen job training program this summer.

phoned Justina. Anna is now a fulltime worker in the after school program, sharing her gifts of tutoring, music, and art with the kids. She and her husband also help coach our soccer team.

Sally has shared the work of the ministry in Summerhill with many people and is credited with bringing her church family on full board. Along with sharing her time with us, she has also dedicated her life to prison ministry where she helps and encourages children of parents who have been incarcerated.

Justina shares that “Sally is a woman of many talents. Her heart is so big, and reaches out to so many. She has become a close friend of my family. She is a prayer and accountability partner to me and at times, she can out-cheer me at my own kid’s games. We love and appreciate Sally.”

Page 3 First Quarter 2006

Swoosh! After an undefeated season, the 18-and-under boy’s basketball team was the runner-up for the championship and the 15-and-under boys won the championship for their age group.

Joel Moore, Director of the Atlanta Youth Project says that Summerhill’s basketball players showed great character and sportsmanship the entire season. Four players from the Summerhill teams were chosen to the All Character Team which recognizes players that exhibit the most Christlike character. Those four players and the rest of the All Character team were rewarded with an all-expense paid “Beach Camp” trip to Destin, FL where they enjoyed

At 18 years old, Darell Hickson is a freshman at Alabama State University where he learning how the business world works. At 12 years old, Darell Hickson started learning how to be a man. His teacher was Phil Edwards, the then pastor of New Life Community church which was located in the Summerhill area. Darell remembers the many life lessons he learned such as tying a tie and how to conduct himself in an interview. Since there was no father in his home, Darell describes the time he spent with Pastor Edwards and Justina Dix as very essential to him. “I always learned from Ms. Justina,” he says. “She was always teaching me about the Bible

and Jesus and learning about Him makes you a better person. “

Darell loved the summer

camp activities as a young man where he participated in many sports before eventually becoming involved the teen job training program. He credits the program with preparing him for college where he made the dean’s list his first semester. Darell is interested in pursuing a career in real estate and is very excited about what the future holds for him. Look out Donald Trump!

Undefeated!

Where Are They Now?

In a rush, I pulled up to the church. I had just come back from getting ice from the store. I so wanted to greet our enrichment teachers for the day, to show them where they would be teaching and so on… but it is now 15 minutes past Bible study time and the children have moved into their second period classes. I walked downstairs to the dining hall and found a few of our teen job trainers, setting up enough tables and chairs to feed 75 people. In the kitchen are

It Takes a Village

ladies from East Cobb PCA preparing homemade chicken pot pie for lunch. Across the hall in the recreation room the volunteer group from Pennsylvania is engaging in fun and games with the younger children. I then go up to the mid-level to find Regina Harris from Redemption PCA, teaching “praise through dance” to the 9-14 years old girls in the sanctuary. I go up further to the 3rd level and find Skip Pierce,

(Continued on page 4)

Principal’s List Ashley Dix

deep sea fishing, sailing and other beach activities. Mr. Moore considers Justina a ministry partner and while he acknowledges that she does the real day-to-day ministry, he knows that sports can be a great tool for reaching kids. “Basketball is a means to an end,” says Mr. Moore. “The goal is to know Christ and to know Him more fully.”

Congratulations to all our players for a great season!

Newsletter ~ First Quarter 2006 Summerhill Community Ministries, Inc.

P. O. Box 160294 • Atlanta, Georgia 30316 • 404-964-4604 • justinascm@juno.com • http:\\www.summerhil lcm.com

2006/2007 Executive Board Members

Nancy Lindsey - Inner Faith Ministries Molly Blass - East Cobb PCA James Jones - Atlanta Police Department Elisa Bennett - Mission Year Tracy Hall - Missions to North America

Have you seen the latest commercial for a certain popular theme park that’s home to a certain popular mouse? Two cute little kids are so excited about all the fun they’re going to have, they can’t sleep and the child in all of us can probably relate. Who wouldn’t be excited? 10-year-old Dajonia Smith is excited about her plans for the summer too. Like the kids in the commercial, she too can hardly wait. Is she traveling to Orlando? No, because right in her neighborhood is the Summerhill Community Ministries Summer Camp and when asked what it is that excites her about camp she says, “When we praise Jesus and sing about Him!”

Praising Jesus is just one of the many wonderful things that Summerhill’s seven-week summer day camp offers its campers each summer. It also allows kids ages 5 to 15 to participate in enrichment activities, service projects and field trips. Each day is filled with Bible study, praise and worship, recreation, dance, arts and crafts, drama, sports clinics and other fun, hands-on activities. The children are served hot meals each day and receive love and encouragement from staff and caring volunteers.

Teen Job Training Program: In conjunction with the summer camp, SCM also offers a teen job training program for teenagers. This program is designed to give young people an opportunity to spend quality time in an environment that requires teamwork and individual responsibility. By working in the summer camp, the teens gain a work ethic and develop life-long

A big THANK YOU to those that prayed for and supported the Dix Family! Justin DID get the approval he needed to for extra classes. This semester he is taking all of his day school classes and 2 night school classes. After speaking with all of his teachers and the counselors, Justin is passing all of his classes so far. He is expected to graduate with his brother Joel, and his senior class in May! Praise God!!

Praise Report

habits that equip them for their future in the workplace and in life.

Of course, the SCM summer camp and teen job training program rely on the generous offerings of time and resources from volunteers who want to make a difference in the lives of some really great kids; many of whom would have no other options for the summer.

So, for just $350 you could send a child like Dajonia to camp for an entire summer. For $1,800 you could support the summer salary of a teenager who will gain invaluable skills and life lessons.

Many of us probably have good memories of summers we spent as children and were probably fortunate enough to have opportunities where we learned and grew. The SCM Summer Camp offers the same opportunities of growth and new experiences to children with few other choices. Won’t you prayerfully consider how you can make difference in the life of these kids? To sponsor a child or for more information please contact Justina Dix.

Alma Stone

Summer Camp

also from Redemption Fellowship, engaged in conversation with our older boys, in a “critical thinking/ life skill class”.

Everyone was in place, and each job was graciously being done. I took a deep breath and thanked the Lord for sending His people to impart the lives of these children. I could not do all of this myself. As a child I used to hear “It takes a village to raise a child.” This still rings true today.

We are able to run a successful program, because of you, who faithfully support us through prayer, monetary gifts, service and talents. Please consider uniting with us again to impact the lives of the children in Atlanta.

Justina Dix

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Since 2000, the summer camp has

welcomed 360 campers, served 384

meals (breakfast & lunch), gone on 48

field trips, and trained 65 teens.

Newsletter Team Writers - Alma Stone, Justina Dix

Editor - Nancy Lindsey Designer - Anne Burlas