Stafford Junction: A Nonprofit Bringing Opportunity Through Education and Community!
Nothing predicts lifetime success like getting the right start, which is why Stafford Junction is so committed to providing children from pre-school through high school the services they need to build the life they deserve. This volunteer-driven nonprofit organization provides a huge variety of tutoring, recreational opportunities, and life skills training. They’re also very excited about a new partnership with Stafford Country Fire & Rescue for a Mobile Health Clinic dedicated to promoting wellness. As Executive Director Myriam Brown explains, the center’s holistic program intervenes early to set young kids up for opportunity in life through education. “It’s very important to get to these kids right away, when they’re very young,” she says, “and then they in turn come back and start volunteering with us. They feel like it’s an opportunity to give back.” It’s a beautiful cycle fostered by Stafford Junction’s commitment to supporting not just little ones but also giving a critical “hand up” to the adults in their lives.
Giving young people a bright future is a huge job and, as has been the case for so many charitable organizations, Covid19 took a big toll both on Stafford Junction’s resources and its staff’s bandwidth. That’s why, now more than ever, there’s a tremendous need for support of any kind, from time to money to help with meals and supplies. “We have amazing partnerships, but we are looking for additional help and support from the community,” says Myriam, who embodies Stafford Junction’s mission to “transform live through faith and action. “Once we have that component we are very, very much looking forward to growing our programs and being able to help more people in the community.”
Services that Stafford Junction provides, include:
Brain Builders, an after-school tutoring program.
Healthy Living Pays (HLP), a program that provides tools and education to help children and their families adopt healthy lifestyle practices.
Life Skills training for adults, workshops teaching computer skills, nutrition, parenting, finances, ESL and other topics as identified by participants.
Summer Junction, summer camp activities including a sports camp in partnership with the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office, activities are fun and educational geared towards addressing summer learning loss.
Back-to-school backpacks and school supplies.
Ways in which Stafford County residents can support the cause:
Volunteer! (Covid19 has been really tough on recruitment!)
Contribute shelf-stable items to the food pantry, which supports families with food insecurity.
Giving monetarily or help with meals and supplies is always welcome!
Get involved with the holiday meal network and angel wish list.
Help keep kids stocked with school supplies, which are always in short supply.
Calling All Volunteers! The center could especially use help from:
People with a background in education to help with their Brain Builders and Summer Junction programs.
People with an interest in parks and recreation activities to help with the Summer Junction summer camp program.
People interested in giving workshops to our young adults and adult program participants on various topics such as finances, computers, health, etc.
Visit the Stafford Junction website, staffordjunction.org to learn more about their multiple programs, mission and how to help.
