More About Reach Up

Reach Up provides an opportunity for at-risk students to spend time with trusted adults who believe in them and can help overcome difficulties in completing their school work. This daily after school program began in January 2011.

Each day the students have study time with community volunteers helping the students focus on doing their homework and providing encouragement and assistance. Each day also includes a snack and recreation time.

Reach Up provides a safe place for students to hang out after school and get help with their homework, learn a craft, have some caring adults to talk to and just have a little fun.

Partnerships

Vital Partnerships were formed between Conway Middle School and Reach Up to pave the way to a successful and much needed program. The guidance team at Conway Middle School works with the teachers and administrators to identify students who are falling behind in school and are in need of assistance outside of the normal school day. These students are then offered the opportunity to participate in this after school program, which is indeed a community effort. Conway United Methodist Church hosts the program on its premises directly next door to the middle school.

Blessed Trinity Catholic Church and Conway First Baptist Church are partners in the program and are contributing volunteers and other resources. Many Boone High School students volunteer and help the youth with homework and in other ways.

The partnership between Conway Middle School and Reach Up provides two key ingredients for a successful program: Conway Middle School faculty eager to personally challenge at-risk students to get involved and a safe and secure facility conveniently located next to the school.

Volunteers

Reach Up volunteers help the students focus on completing their homework and provide assistance where needed through these adult volunteers and role models that help communicate positive community values. The volunteers mentor the youth who otherwise would not receive this attention and give them an opportunity to interact with caring adults who can guide them both in their studies and in their daily lives. We want to build strong values in them and give them an alternative to failure in school and to point them away from the road to delinquency, resulting in a stronger and safer Conway community.

Many people in the community help in the program.  If you are interested in volunteering to help Conway youth, contact Conway United Methodist Church at 407-277-5010 or at reachup@conwayumc.org. For more info, see Be a Volunteer!

Reach Up Location

Reach Up is a Conway United Methodist Church program and is located at Conway United Methodist Church, 3401 S. Conway Road, Orlando, FL 32812.