NALS of Jackson County held its Feb. 17 meeting at the Lily Missions Center (LMC) in Jackson. Pictured (l-r): Jennifer Meade, Robyn Winneroski, LeeAnna Kloack, Julie Wartella, LMC Director Heather Stiltner, Marion Stone, Patti Clark, Christine Kloack, Jodi Snyder, Cierra Sowle, Mary Jo Skojec, Coletta Crews and Erin Carr.
Photo by Mary Steinmetz
By Sheila Pursglove
Legal News
NALS of Jackson County held its February 17 meeting at the Lily Missions Center (LMC) in Jackson, with guest speaker Heather Stiltner, director and counselor at the LMC.
LMC was opened in 2002 by Rev. James Hines of Lily Missionary Baptist Church with the goal of using a faith-based approach to helping improve outcomes for "at risk" youth who the traditional human services system may have failed. The center welcomes and serves individuals regardless of religious belief or affiliation. Its programs impact about 1,000 youth annually.
"I started off as a volunteer at Lily Missions Center before I became a director," says Stiltner, who holds a bachelor's degree in Business Administration and Management and a master's degree in Counseling Psychology, both from Spring Arbor University, and a master's degree in Organizational Leadership from Siena Heights University. "This organization really pulls at my heartstrings because I get to witness lives of young people changing for the better with a collaborative effort from several positive mentors in the community. This is a first-hand demonstration of Rev. Hines' vision coming to life 14 years after the center opened."
Open to all Jackson County school children, the center's core programs include after school programs for ages 5 to 14, where they have a safe place to have fun, do homework, get help with reading, English, math and computer skills, and develop ongoing relationships with positive role models caring adults, one-on-one mentors, tutors, coaches and parents.
The center also offers a 6-week summer reading program for ages 4 to 12, focusing on reading comprehension and reading fluency.
"We want to create a habit in at-risk children to read for enjoyment and to encourage family members read to children," Stiltner says.
The stats are impressive. Outcomes are measured by trained professionals, with assessments at the beginning and end of each student's programs; 78 percent of students increased their math score by at least 25 percent; 70 percent increased their reading fluency by 25 percent; and 71 percent increased their comprehension by 25 percent.
A pre-K, open-enrollment program got under way in January, with the goal of increasing kindergarten readiness.
The program works with the lunch team at Jackson Public Schools to ensure nutritious meals and also partners with the Food Bank of South Central Michigan to provide healthy snacks and desserts.
The 29,000-square foot center also has a teen transition program with activities for middle and high school age youth, with positive peer-to-peer interactions and preparations for a successful future; offers ACT/SAT, FAFSA, and scholarship application workshops for high school students; and counsels youth and families on the importance of education for success and self-sufficiency.
The center is used for many other community activities, including basketball, classes for adults on how to budget and set personal goals, and a seventh-grade "Challenge Day" program to build self-esteem and prevent bullying.
LMC gets funding from the local community in the form of United Way and Jackson Community Foundation, and from donors; there is no federal or state funding. Donations are tax-deductible.
NALS members donated $50 to the center to purchase soft rubber balls, basketballs, soccer balls, and footballs.
"They did not have any balls in the gym," says NALS member Jodi Snyder, who was introduced to Lily Missions by her United Way/Women in Leadership group. "I'm very impressed with the program and Heather has done an excellent job molding the programs to the needs of the children. The center is also in dire need of computers, and craft supplies."
"It was great to see a program so deeply invested in the advancement of the youth in Jackson," says NALS member Cierra Sowle. "I was impressed with the program as well as Heather's passion and dedication."
For information on LMC, visit www.lilybaptist.org.
Published: Mon, Feb 23, 2015
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