Enrichment program extended
Published 8:29 pm Tuesday, July 14, 2015
![During last year’s SCM Vision Inc. summer enrichment program at Oak Grove Baptist Church, volunteer Jenay Wolfrey leads children in a game of “hot potato.” Pictured clockwise from Wolfrey are Adria Powell, Janasia Riddick, Ti’Mya Kearney, Mikayla Stagg and Keneja Davis.](https://www.suffolknewsherald.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/19/2015/07/use-IMG_7166.jpg)
During last year’s SCM Vision Inc. summer enrichment program at Oak Grove Baptist Church, volunteer Jenay Wolfrey leads children in a game of “hot potato.” Pictured clockwise from Wolfrey are Adria Powell, Janasia Riddick, Ti’Mya Kearney, Mikayla Stagg and Keneja Davis.
A faith-based nonprofit is signing up participants for a summer enrichment program at Oak Grove Baptist Church next month.
Last year, SCM Vision Inc. — named after the initials of founder and chief executive officer Sylvia Copeland-Murphy, also the assistant pastor at Oak Grove — saw 33 children at a weeklong enrichment program, said Jewel Shepherd, chair of SCM’s board of directors.
Based on that success last year, the program has been expanded to run from Aug. 3-27, she said. Organizers have set a goal of serving at least 50 children.
The program, for children ages 5 to 12, will meet at the church, 2635 E. Washington St., 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays.
It won’t be held on Fridays, Shepherd said, because Oak Grove designates Friday as family time, and SCM hopes to instill that concept in program participants and their families.
Children can expect lots of fun and informative activities and lessons, according to Shepherd. From licensed and/or retired schoolteachers and administrators donating their time, they’ll receive 90 daily minutes of instruction specific to their grade level and identified areas of need.
The church’s associate ministerial staff will deliver spiritual lessons and Bible teaching, and SCM’s partnership with the Suffolk Parks and Recreation, under the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s summer feeding program, will provide nutritious, balanced breakfasts, lunches and snacks.
Children also will be introduced to strategies to improve their overall health and wellness, according to Shepherd, with promotion of “self-regulating behaviors, positive citizenship, lifelong learning, productivity and the essence of hope for breaking negative cycles.”
Thursdays will be reserved for field trips, Shepherd said. For examples of destinations and activities, she cited horse stables, visiting a practice session for an NFL team, the movies, and presentations from folks with the city’s Social Services department, Suffolk Fire and Rescue, Western Tidewater Community Services Board and Ident-A-Kid.
Joan Turner, secretary of the SCM board and community outreach coordinator with the Suffolk Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office, will lead training sessions on forensic crime scene investigation.
Shepherd said that Copeland-Murphy’s brother, Oak Grove pastor Dr. Anthony Copeland, is also her spiritual leader, and has “helped to nourish Rev. Copeland-Murphy’s ministry of eradicating (harmful) trends.”
The enrichment program fee is $5 per week for each child, plus $5 for a T-shirt to wear on field trips. Some transportation is available for designated areas.
Some children, such as those living in public housing communities and/or meeting low-income thresholds, can attend the program for free. Parents or guardians wishing to inquire about this can contact the enrichment program registration number at 539-8010. Registration closes Monday.
Program organizers are targeting children who attended summer school this year. The program’s combination of academic and spiritual components promotes self-awareness and contributes to their development as productive citizens, according to Shepherd.
“We have to live together in this world so we are responsible for teaching one another,” she said.
Shepherd described many other ways SCM Vision Inc. is helping at-risk, low-income and disadvantaged populations. Folks can donate toward the mission by visiting www.gofundme.com/scmvision.