Year in Review
January 2007

Cornerstone Kids, Inc., an Outreach Ministry of St. James House of Prayer offers a comprehensive after-school program for 45 children who are five to eleven years of age living in the Tampa Heights neighborhood. The nutritional component of the program provides the children with a well-balanced meal daily that is prepared and served on site. The program is run Monday through Friday from 2:30 p.m. until 5:30 p.m. with a staff of six and a small pool of dedicated volunteers.

In January the children were treated with a rare opportunity to learn about airplanes and flying by Colonel Walt Tatum, Jr., a retired airline pilot. During the month of February, the children learned about the contributions of famous African Americans. “Black History Month” was also celebrated with a “Soul-Food Dinner”. The school year ended with an “End of Summer” program featuring “Razzmatazz Entertainment.” Throughout the performance, his message to the children was the importance of having a good attitude and acceptable behavior.

During the summer, the Cornerstone Kids Program operated on a modified schedule Monday through Thursday from 12 noon until 4pm. Mrs. Horsley served lunch daily with food prepared through the Summer Food Program. As a part of the program, the children attended a math workshop with instructor, Mary Jenkins and computer lab twice a week with Tiphani Sanders who successfully completed her internship with the program in August. They were also entertained by movies, arts and crafts, dance and movement, inside board games and organized outside activities. The girls in grades 3-5 attended an Ophelia Circle workshop (“Full of Yourself”) on-site once a week that was sponsored by the YMCA. The children also enjoyed field trips to Chuck E Cheese, MOSI, USA Skating and Pin Teasers Bowling Lane. The field trip that was most exciting and highly enjoyed by everyone was the “Kids Lunch Cruise” on the Show Queen in Clearwater. The program ended with a beautiful “End of Summer” program featuring Miss Shauna Greene of “Silent Praize.” A big “Thank You” goes out to our hard- working instructors Ms. Brown, Mrs. Alexander and our high-school summer volunteers-Angelica, Brittani, Devon and Micaela.

Special thanks to Bayshore Baptist Youth Ministry for providing backpacks and school supplies for 35 children who attended the Summer Enrichment Program.

After a short summer break, the fall session opened on August 9, 2006 with 45 happy faces.
On October 26, the children were treated with a “Halloween Party” that they thoroughly enjoyed. Thanks to the generosity of St. James House of Prayer and St. Paul Travelers Outreach Committee, every Cornerstone family will receive their annual “Thanksgiving Basket” and turkey on Monday, November 20, 2006.

The following foundation and corporation grants have been awarded to the Cornerstone program this year: Bank of America Foundation, Conn Memorial Foundation, Hillsborough Sheriff Enrichment Grant, Jubilee Ministry Grant, Lowry Foundation, and St. Paul Travelers Foundation. The Cornerstone Kids Program also participated in the Eckerd Family Foundation Scholarship Initiative. Through grants, fund raisers (Lincoln –Douglass Ball) and contributions from private donors, Episcopal churches, friends and parishioners, the program is able to meet its yearly budget.

Thanks to members of the Cornerstone Board of Directors for their hard work, strong support and encouragement all year.

Olatha Leggett,
Program Director