Members of Lakeview UMC, Shreveport assist Caddo Parish schools

Through the Reimagining our Schools initiative, Caddo Parish is targeting and providing help to 12 chronically underperforming schools in the parish. The United Methodist Men’s group from Lakeview United Methodist Church in Shreveport is sponsoring two of the 200 children who have been identified by the program for mentoring and financial support; and the church’s congregation is working to raise funding for additional sponsorships.
 
These children will initially participate in The Amazing Shake, a program which teaches social skills, interpersonal communication and etiquette. A second initiative is known as Project DREAM (Daring to Raise Expectations and Achievements of Males). This is a long-term project that will focus on retaining students through tracking, promoting and mentoring males. The initiatives culminate in one winner per campus taking a trip to Washington D.C. 
 
“Lakeview is passionate about missions, helping those in our community and showing God’s love to children,” said Rev. Willis Dear, interim pastor for Lakeview UMC. Dear is pictured with staff from Queensborough School and program participant Jamarcia Taylor.