The 2009-2010 academic year marks the sixth year that First Presbyterian Church has committed to the ministry of Kids’ Connection, an after-school program for elementary students (K-5) from Daggett Elementary. 

Currently, the free program occurs Monday-Friday from 3-5:30 p.m. and serves 26 children. We have two part-time staff teachers as well as a host of volunteers from the congregation who lend their support and energy to mentor our young children. Each day includes snack time; homework and study time; and a main activity, with topics such as Music, Arts, Science, Bible Story and Games.

The children in the program are connected to our church in that they regularly participate in the Music and Arts Camp, Vacation Church School, First Friends Camp, the Halloween Carnival and the Annual Church Picnic. Children offer their gifts to the church by making cards for shut-ins, decorating for an occasional fellowship event and frequently helping prepare the crafts for WOW!

For more information, including information on becoming a Kids’ Connection volunteer, please contact Amy Parker.

Our Purpose (adopted July 2006)

The purpose of Kids' Connection is to bring elementary age children from a neighborhood school to Hemphill Presbyterian Fellowship for an after-school program that provides a safe place for spiritual, emotional, and intellectual growth, transforming us all to celebrate and serve Christ in the Hemphill area. 

Beyond the Facts … What Kids’ Connection Offers

• Children benefit from the adult interaction, especially if their home situation has lots of children and less individual attention. The kids love their relationship with the volunteers (and vice versa!).
• Volunteers feel utilized but not completely responsible. 
• Employees and former employees continue to volunteer their time to serve at Kids’ Connection. One current employee said that if she didn’t work here, she would still volunteer here. They see very positive results in the lives of these children.
• Parents are grateful for the program. When we were uncertain of its continuation, several parents (unsolicited) brought snacks to help curtail costs and a few made monetary donations.
• Families, even if they don’t attend worship here, consider this their church home. 
• We are changing the consciousness of children at an early age as they find in the church a safe place for belonging and nurture (instead of the other options in our neighborhood). Kids who have graduated from the program continue to come to the church on Wednesday nights.
• More than any other ministry at Hemphill, we have built a strong connection between the neighborhood and the church.
• Kids’ Connection is a church family for many. Church is more than Sunday morning; it is building relationships in a Christian community.