.WOW is an after school program for neighborhood children in our inner city area of downtown Elkhart. It began in 1995 in response to a need for a safe and accepting place for young children and youth. Since 2003, we have been in a faith-based collaboration with Elkhart Community Schools as a part of the ‘No Child Left Behind’ initiative.

Programming begins each year in September and continues through May, following the ECS school schedule. Registrations have increased annually to as many as 200.

More than fifty screened adult volunteers participate in the program. They are from Central Christian Church as well as from the community.

Children choose from a variety of activities. Depending on leaders’ expertise, offerings have included Chess, Computers, Cooking, Crafts, Dominos, Drawing, Electronic Games, Indoor/Outdoor Games, Juggling, Learning Games, Music, Painting, Ping Pong, Pool, Quilting, and Woodworking. Homework help and a supervised computer lab are available for the children’s use.

A nutritious family style meal is served each week. CCC members, neighboring churches, clubs, and businesses help provide food supplies for WOW volunteers to prepare and serve.

We strive to make a difference in the lives of young members of our community as we weave unity from our great diversity.

If you would like to visit or become a volunteer, contact mailto:cccelk1@gmail.com.

T.E.E.N. WOW

TOGETHER EVERYONE EXCELS in the NEIGHBORHOOD

                When:  3:30-5:30 Wednesdays during the school year.
                Who:    Teens in 7th-12th grades from West Central Neighborhood.
                                 - the lonely ones                    - the ones who need respect and love
                                - the ones who don't fit in       - the energetic ones
                                - the bored ones                    - those on probation
               What:   To provide a bridge between church and low income, minority neighborhood teens.
                           To help open doors and windows to activities that they would not normally get,
                                i.e.:  job opportunities, service projects to help others, field trips, fun and
                                learning while seeing adult leadership in a loving and caring environment.

We seek to strike at the cause of poverty and racial discrimination by giving teens the "tools" to solve problems and change attitudes through education, personal involvement and shared common experience. We also seek to overcome the injustices which racial minorities and the poor still continue to face.