I would like to start by saying, “thank you” to all the parents, teachers, volunteers, sponsors,

grantors, contributors, and friends of Neighbors in Ministry/Rise & Shine Children’s Defense

Fund Freedom Schools. I am deeply grateful to everyone whose confidence and generosity have

brought us to this threshold.

This is the beginning of the sixteenth year that Neighbors in Ministry opened its doors to Rise & Shine

Freedom School to enrich children, empower parents and encourage communities. Many of you may

not realize it, but this was accomplished by your passionate commitment to promoting the well-being

of our scholars. Neighbors is fortunate to have so many gifted, talented and giving individuals willing

to give their time and support to ensure the success of all of our children.

This school year, 2011-12 has been and still is very challenging for Neighbors. I am asking for your

love, compassion and continuous support for our children and staff as we started this fall with

exceptional and energetic leaders. Dr. Dee Whinnery, our new Executive Director, Whitney Franklin

our new Rise & Shine Program Manager and Mallory Benjamin, our Site Coordinator.

Despite these times of economic distress we will not compromise our values. We will continue to

encourage our scholars to achieve new heights of success. It takes a village to raise a child and we all

are part of that village. It is our responsibility to see that our scholars be given an opportunity to

receive the best education possible. We will assist in preparing our scholars for the work-force and

strengthening our local economy. It is up to us to make a difference for our children. Our scholars are

the Hope for the future.

I hope that you will join those who share Neighbors in Ministry’s vision and invest in the future today

as we move to the next level.

P.S. You may also donate through PayPal by credit card on www.riseshine.org

Make checks payable to Neighbors in Ministry, Inc., a tax-exempt parent organization under Section

501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Your gift is deductible for Federal Income Tax purposes under

Section 170(b)(1)(A)(vi) of the code. IRS regulations require us to advise you that “no goods or services

are offered in exchange for or recognition of your gift.

Gratefully,

Ms. Rebecca Wynn

Board Chairperson

290 Oakdale Street

Brevard, NC 28712

Phone 828.883.2295

Fax 828.884.2469

office@riseshine.org

www.riseshine.org

Programs

Rise & Shine Freedom School

Computer Study &Training Lab

Damascus Road Anti-Racism Training

Board of Directors

Rebecca Wynn –Chair

Carl Mooney, Jr. –Treasurer

Gloria Williamson -Secretary

Jerry Brown

Rev. Karen Easter

Tommy Kilgore

Phratasia Macon

Carol Miller

Brenda Miranda

Nancy Richards

Molly Tartt

Message from the Board Chairperson Ms. Rebecca

Rise & Shine Freedom SchoolApril 2012

The Promising Afterschool Programs Study found that regular participation in high-quality afterschool programs is linked to significant gains in standardized test scores and work habits as well as reductions in behavior problems among disadvantaged students. (University of California at Irvine, 2007). Afterschool programs have proven to be effective supports in fostering healthy lifestyles, preventing drop-outs, boosting students’ academic achievement and self-esteem, and helping young people find and develop their passions. Rise & Shine staff, parents, volunteers, Transylvania County Schools teachers and the community-at-large have joined forces on behalf of children to provide a nurturing, empowering “village” that believes that every child can succeed. Our program offers an immersion in a literacy-rich curriculum, and our scholars have the opportunity to become future servant-leaders and change agents. Rise & Shine uses a curriculum provided by the Children’s Defense Fund (CDF) that integrates history, literature, conflict resolution and social action and fosters servant-leadership. In order for our scholars to stay competitive in the world market place, our scholars follow a Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) path. We are asking you to join our village with your contribution to help us continue making a difference for the 50 scholars at Rise & Shine Freedom School. That difference, that light, will reach far beyond what any of us can imagine.

Gratefully,

Dr. Dee Whinnery Executive Director

If you have not signed up for the Tools for Schools program at Ingles would you please help Rise and Shine by doing so. It is very easy and simple. The link takes you to the form and it already has the Rise and Shine identification number. You need an Ingles Advantage card. Rise and Shine would receive some money from purchases made. It is great way to help a great program. Please help us help our scholars. There is not an easier way to donate and if you know of others that would help us please pass this information along. Thank you for your assistance. http://ww2.ingles-markets.com/toolsforschools/cardlink_step_2.php?ID=11196&NAME=Rise & Shine After School Prog.&ADDRESS=92 Oakdale St&CITY=Brevard&STATE=NC&ZIP=28712

The BI-LO Booster Plus Program is also available. Enrollment cards are available in the Rise & Shine office and at your local BI-LO stores. Call 1-800-768-4438 if you have questions.

You may be aware of the idea of a “Digital Divide” however, you may not understand how that impacts our children. The lack of access to technology for our scholars compared to their peers of a higher socio-economic status puts our scholars at a deficit. This is a major contributor to the academic gap that our scholars experience daily. Rise and Shine has made a commitment to do whatever it takes to help our scholars “SHINE” and be greatness. We recently started a pilot *STEM program concentrating on the Science and Technology. We began diving into the world of technology with a curriculum called “What is Technology and how we use it?” at the beginning of February. This was very exciting for them because they learned about the technology behind making candy. We continued into the next week exploring how “We all grow” comparing human and frog growth patterns. This pilot project has opened up new ways to introduce digital technology for research and collaborative group activities to encourage the idea of *popular education amongst our scholars. We are doing amazing work at Rise and Shine and it wouldn’t be possible without the support and dedication of our JSL, SC and Mentor. We extend a “Big Thank you!”

Gratefully, Whitney Franklin—Program Director

To: The Transylvania Times From: Mariah Terry Junior Correspondent Rise & Shine CDF Freedom School For immediate release October 17, 2011

Many of you readers of the Transylvania Times know that Ms. Fay Walker’s wish was that her friends and family donate money to support Rise & Shine Freedom School. You may not know, however, what a Rise & Shine scholar is. My name is Mariah Terry, and I have been a Rise & Shine scholar for six years. I started going to Rise & Shine when I was in third grade. I was glad to be going to an after-school program to better my grades, but I was also anxious about meeting my volunteer tutors. It turned out great because as soon as we started working together, we didn’t want to stop. At Freedom School I learned a lot about making a difference in myself and in my community. I became more organized and cared more about getting an education. I learned how to control my behavior and feel more positive about who I am—a proud African-American teenager who is talented in many ways. Also, I have made a difference in my community by supporting organizations like Bread of Life, by marching to draw attention to the school system’s decisions about funding, and by encouraging adults to register to vote. There have been many more things that I have learned and accomplished at Rise & Shine Freedom School, and I am still growing. I hope this article persuades you to want to learn more about our after-school program. I would like to invite you to come to visit Rise & Shine to see it for yourself.

Respectfully, Mariah Terry

Message from our Program Director

Message from our Executive Director

Tools for Schools and Booster Plus Announcements

Letter from Mariah Terry

Rise and Shine Freedom School Field Tripto Washington DC. Scholars stand in frontof the iconic Lincoln Memorial.

Rise & Shine Freedom School Scholar

Chorus Group performing for residents in downtown Brevard during the 2011 Twilight Tour.

Peter Kipp with educational program on Falcons

One of our volunteers with a Rise & Shine Freedom School Scholar.

Rise and Shine Freedom School“...where every child can shine!”PO Box 1036290 Oakdale StreetBrevard, NC 28712828.883.2295FAX 828.884.2469

NON PROFITORGANIZATION

U.S. POSTAGE PAID

PERMIT NO. 83BREVARD, NC

28712

Neighbors in Ministry, Inc. exists to enrich children, empower parents and encourage community through year round programs.

Our programs enable children and adults to work for equality of opportunity and build the Beloved Community of racial justice and reconciliation. We are motivated by the Spirit of Christian Faith.

Newsletter | April 2012