Natalie (left) and Elizabeth (right)
“We must remember that intelligence is not enough. Intelligence plus character – That is the goal of true education.” – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
When TCS Fourth Grader Elizabeth helped her mom Jane deliver shoeboxes full of handmade valentines to Homeless at Heart last February, the young change-maker knew she wanted to do more to help bring notes of love and encouragement from Atlanta’s children to Atlanta’s homeless population.
“I felt like we were really making a difference,” said Elizabeth. “I feel very strongly about helping the homeless people, and Valentine’s Day is such a good time to help them to feel loved and happy.”
This February, students and TCS families will have the opportunity to add a love lesson to their educational experience. Inspired by Elizabeth’s passion to help the homeless, the entire school will join the cause this year and create care packages for Homeless at Heart to deliver to Atlanta Mission.
At TCS, teaching goes far beyond the classroom and textbooks. Through the Building Character and Community (BCC) program, curriculum comes to life and students apply what they are learning about responsibility, respect and compassion to reach a greater goal of helping others.
“Service learning introduces our students to social problems and allows them to think creatively about being problem solvers and change makers,” said TCS Counselor Natalie Grubbs. “Being a part of the solution to a larger scale social issue is so empowering for children as they learn that they can make an impact.”
“If we start helping others and making a difference when we are young, then we can make a giant difference when we are older,” Elizabeth added.
Room parents will send an email with the items needed to create the care packages. Elizabeth and her fellow students will assemble the bags of handmade notes at TCS from February 10-14 in a “pop up” workshop, in time to be delivered to Homeless at Heart on Valentine’s Day.
