2007
Summer Update

Dearest Friends,

Tutoring is nearly finished for the summer! The children have been getting antsy for weeks so it helps to have the added carrot of Sunday swimming trips to hang over their heads.

Our free, all-day summer camp ran from June 25th—August 3rd. The children swam, dissected frogs, danced the Charleston, and learned about Monet.

We’ve finished our assessments and thanks to their amazing tutors, the children are making great strides, especially in math.

We’re partnering with Parklands Parent Centers which is providing wonderful parenting classes for some of our parents. It is going very well and the mothers tell us they love the program—they are especially excited for the class on “relaxation” which may include massages!

Thanks to your support, this year, the children have been ice skating and roller skating. They have seen movies, played in the park, explored the Washington Auto Show, laughed at ComedySportz DC, swam about a thousand times at Francis Pool, and seen the animals at the zoo.

To improve our children’s nutrition, we are partnering with the Capital Area Food Bank and Anacostia Farmer’s Market which lets them shop for fresh fruit and veggies using Horton’s Kids-issued vouchers.They are loving it!

Some of our Department of Education tutors went to Ashley’s graduation and here’s what they said about it: “[We] did attend the graduation ceremony for Ashley—it was well worth the trip. Ms. Ashley “rocked” with the number of awards she earned! She received Honor Roll, Outstanding Citizen, Principal's Award and 2nd place for her Science Fair Project (among others). She is truly benefiting from the Horton experience and has really excelled! It definitely takes a village!!”

Horton’s Kids will be featured on TNT’s Dramatic Difference during the 8:00pm showing of “The Ron Clark Story” on August 9th and the 8:00pm showing of “Dangerous Minds” on August 23rd.

Former, and very handsome, Horton’s Kids volunteer, Jake Tapper wrote about Horton’s Kids on his blog.

Here’s what little TiQuanna has to say about her experiences with Horton’s Kids:"My favorite things about Horton’s Kids are when they buy us stuff, take us places, give us birthday gifts, take us tutoring, and give us these wonderful tutors. Like my Monday tutor is sweet, thoughtful, and giving that is why I love her so much. And my Tuesday tutor, George, he is cute in a tutor way and funny, and cool. Last but not least, Gail and Vanessa are smart, nice, cool, and respectful. That is why I love Horton’s Kids!"

How you can help:

1. HELP US FIND MENTORS: We’ve launched our new one-on-one mentoring program. Twenty-one out of sixty-five children who come very regularly on Sundays have mentors but we need more! If you know anyone who might like to be a mentor to a child, please tell Brenda@hortonskids.org.

2. SPONSOR A BACKPACK: In order to give our children a fresh start on the new school year, Horton’s Kids is giving them each a brand new backpack with paper and pencils. If you would like to sponsor a backpack at $15 each, please e-mail Julie@hortonskids.org.

3. BUY BOOKS FOR TUTORING: Some of our more voracious readers have read all of the books in the book boxes. If you would like to help us jazz up our store of books, please visit our book wish list.

As always, thank you for everything you do to put smiles on their faces,

Karin