NOVEMber 2019
A LITTLE UPDATE
We’ve been in California now for just over 9 years and God has us here to minister in Pasadena. On the family front, Madeleine will be 16 at the end of November and is currently a junior. Isabella is 14 and a freshman in high school. Time flies! Charmain continues her work as a floral designer mainly for weddings (but she’s done a corporate event and a few art installations). On October 8th, 2019 we became U.S. citizens! We are thankful to God for this privilege of now being officially part of this nation.
WORKING WITH YOUTH AGAIN
After graduating from seminary, God led me back to working with youth again. It started as a community outreach position when our church adopted a local secondary school. As favor and momentum grew with the school, God pivoted the role and led me to launch a nonprofit called Axia Project. Axia in Greek means, “worth” and it’s our desire that every student we encounter realizes their significance because God created them (Genesis 1:27, Jeremiah 29:11, Romans 5:8, 2 Corinthians 5:17, John 1:12, 1 John 3:1, Ephesians 2:4-9, Psalm 139:13-16 - and more!). I see myself like a pastor, showing students who Christ is through encouragement, teaching, and offering hope.
what we do
Axia connects tutors and mentors with middle school and high school students in need of the kind of support many of us (and our children) had that helped us succeed. Here's a brief list of our programs:
Tutoring struggling students in Math, English and Physics.
Mentoring students towards successful academic and social skills.
Helping as in-class teacher's assistants for classrooms that need extra support.
Purchasing school supplies, so teachers don't have to spend out-of-pocket.
Offered introductory coding classes for up and coming computer scientists.
Providing screenwriting and filmmaking classes for budding storytellers.
CHANGING LIVES
When we first met Jackie and Alison (pseudonyms) they were struggling with foundational concepts in math, like order of operations, the relationship between positive and negative integers, and how to solve basic algebraic equations. We connected with a math teacher to offer after-school tutoring, where Jackie and Alison attended regularly.
We provided a safe, non-judgmental, shame-free environment for them to fail - and get up over and over again. The value we tried to impart to them was not to give up. We cheered and encouraged Jackie and Alison, and watched their confidence grow as they overcame topic after topic.
The result of their diligence and hard work - and our mentorship, was these two girls who were failing math in the first semester, ended the year with a C+. We were so proud of them! Today, these two girls are juniors and thriving at school. Alison is on track to be the first person in her family to go to college!
Through our mentoring efforts, we not only imparted skills to students, but we helped them gain confidence, a track record of personal breakthroughs, and a sense of self-worth. Pray that God will grab a hold of their hearts as well.
quotables
"You saved my bacon! " - Ms. Ramsey, Credit Recovery teacher speaking about the help we provided to her students who failed Physics and Chemistry. 100% of them passed and were able to recover their credits.
"I can actually do physics." - Credit recovery student. This student's confidence increased dramatically because of our tutoring program.
"Whatever you're doing, keep it up!" - Ms. Fineman, Special Education teacher talking about the math tutoring help we provided a few of her students. She saw a marked improvement not only in their math skills, but motivation and initiation with other subjects.
YOUR SUPPORT MATTERS
I invite you to partner with us to help support under-resourced students by donating $25, $50, $75 or $100 a month (or one-time). Every contribution helps! As a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, your contributions are tax deductible. Here are some ways you can donate:
1. ONLINE
The easiest way to donate is electronically via credit/debit card or ACH (bank account). Click here to give online.
2. CHECKS
Checks can be made payable to Axia Project and mailed to:
Axia Project
1719 Glen Avenue
Pasadena, CA 91103
Please contact us to set-up recurring donations by check.
3. BILL PAY VIA CHECKING ACCOUNT
You can set-up Bill Pay from your own checking account to automate monthly or one-time donations. This is usually a free service provided online by your bank's website. Please email us if you have any questions. Here are some field that might be requested when you set-up, and what we suggest you use:
Business Name & Address:
Axia Project
1719 Glen Avenue
Pasadena, CA 91103
Account Number: [Enter your name]
Phone Number: 626-429-2296
THANK YOU!
I'm excited for the impact Axia will have this coming school year in serving under-resourced students and helping them thrive. I would love to hear from you! Please email me if you have any questions.
Josh