Robinwood

Over a period of several years SI Raleigh sponsored and participated in various programs working with Robinwood, a low-income, multi-ethnic community, in Southeast Raleigh. At one time we operated a family resource center as a place where children could go after school for tutoring and enrichment programs. Members tutored children in reading and helped them write reports on what they read. Prizes made the reading contests a popular activity.

Working with the Italian club, we facilitated periodic cooking classes. These classes helped women take advantage of fresh foods provided by the Interfaith Food Shuttle and from community gardens. We also sponsored summer meal programs run by the neighborhood. Breakfast and lunch were provided for participating children.

Christmas Angels

For the past several years we have been Christmas Angels. This service project gives an opportunity for the parent to participate in the purchase of gifts for their children for Christmas. The parent often has limited funds and limited means of transportation for shopping. They contribute $5 for each child; we agree to purchase a minimum of $35 in gifts in return. The gifts are then wrapped and delivered back to the parent. We also create "gift bags" for the mothers from items donated by members and area merchants. These parents often do not receive a gift since they are typically single mothers with very low income. 2008 was our eighth year for the Christmas Angel project.