The Winston County Self-Help
Youth Group sponsored a summer food program at Winston Place Club House July
20-24, 2015 with Jean Harper as the facilitator. There were two parent volunteers: Shondalyn
Roberson and Charlene Rush. The cook was
Bobbie Nickelson. Harold Hudson was there as a youth supporter. Christy Reed is the property and area
manager.
The Mennonite Service Center
(MSC), a nonprofit organization, located in Macon, MS partnered with the MS
Department of Education Office Child Nutrition to provide meals to the
children. Larry Miller is the founder of
MSC; Beverly Bush Mayo is the director and Latasha Farmer is the assistant
director. The children seemingly enjoyed
the meals which included milk and various fruit juices. Larry Miller provided
fresh corn from the fields in Macon for a fun Corn Day on July 24. The youth were taught how to shuck corn, take
the silks off as they prepared it for cooking.
The camp provided many
interesting activities for the youth within
the week. Sandra Jackson of the extension office
provided an opportunity for the youth to write and public speak. Of course like many, the youth were a bit shy
about standing before the group to speak from what they wrote but it was a good
start to one day becoming a good public speaker. Mrs. Jackson also had them do an art project
with the story they wrote about themselves.
The Louisville Fire Department
sent Detrick Sanders t one day to teach fire safety to the youth. Another day,
they took a tour of the wildlife at the Noxubee Refuge. USDA Area Specialist,
Jason K. Rushing visited the camp and talked with the youth about education,
home construction and home renovation.
Ms. Harper assured that the youth
were refreshed on manners by giving them a manners quiz and practice.
This writer interviewed several
youth about the camp asking what they liked most about camp. This is their
response:
Corandriz Pledge, 9 years old, 3rd grade, “I liked
playing musical chairs.”
Bruce Strickland, 6 years old, 1st grade, “I like the
lunch. I learned about Jesus.”
Makayla Hall, 10 years old, 5th grade, “It was fun and
I’d like to come back again next summer. I loved the music.”
Grandmother Teresa Ashford, “I wish there were more
participants. The socialization helped
my granddaughter, Kynesha Ashford who is visiting me from Moore, OK near
Oklahoma City.”
Parent Charlene Rush, “I think what Ms. Jean Harper and the rest of
the summer program directors have done
for these kids is great and I am so glad I was a part of it. This was something that I wouldn’t mine
helping with again. May God always bless all of you for what you have done for
our kids. Hope to see you next year.
Thank you.

Jean Harper was thanked in a
letter from YDACBINC “for your commitment in your community and patience and
dedication with us to help you in changing these youth lives.”