HOPE Center Sets Annual Chili Supper for 2019

Due to the scheduling conflicts and the lateness of the season, members of the HOPE Coalition decided postpone the annual family Chili supper until 2019. Coalition President Byron Hall said it made better sense to delay the meal, usually accompanied by a fund-raising silent auction, into 2019 at which time, a specific date will be set by the members.

The monthly Coalition meeting was held Tuesday, October 16^th where director, Lori Hammer, noted the daily attendance was 140 students, down a few youngsters from the previous September report.  Nutrition and healthy meals are a regular part of the daily routine at Lincoln School and One Step Up students are taking part in a course known as ‘chop’ which helps change the daily school lunch menus while teaching students how to compare shop for the best bargain at the grocery store while maintaining a nutritional balance.  On a similar note, the evening menu has grown at the Center. Hammer said the district took steps recently to add to the size and scope of the evening meal which consists of a cold meal such as fruits, vegetables and a chicken wrap sandwich, for instance.  She said many students consider this to be their supper as opposed to a simple after-school snack.

Anthony LaTour, the director of the Alternative School at Lincoln, estimated his enrollment is now at 58 students while employing five instructors and an in-house therapist. “All of the students from last year have either graduated from high school or gone on to their next grade,” he stated, adding that the juniors and seniors are currently job shadowing various persons in the community, observing them at work and learning how their education can directly relate to future employment.  LaTour said the Rotary Interact group comprised of younger individuals, while learning about the role our soldiers played in WW2, have planned a Veteran’s Day meal, Sunday, November 11^th from 2pm to 6pm and discussions on that day will add to their knowledge concerning veterans.

In other news, the ESL, English as a Second Language classes continue to show local interest with an entire family expressing interest in attending the Tuesday evening classes which run from 6:30pm to 8pm. Hall, who throws a mean yo-yo, is holding a class for youngsters once again.  “We meet every Thursday from 4:30 to 5pm and we plan to hold a competition demonstration in May during Lamar Days at the Park,” he explained.

Susan Lander, a southeast Colorado representative for the philanthropic group, El Pomar will visit the Center next Monday for an update on programs funded by the organization. The Share the Spirit annual Christmas Party for the students has been set for Thursday, December 6^th, Hammer told the Coalition.  Monthly donations are $200 from LCM Missions and $100 from Prowers Medical Center.  The next Coalition meeting is set for Monday, November 19^th.

By Russ Baldwin