Lessons

On Sunday April 25, 2010 Valerie Sherrer, Development Director and Founder, gave a report of Novo Ministries.

Novo Ministries was birthed to introduce inner-city children to positive teaching and connect them with individuals who would mentor and love them. Our vision is to bring real and lasting life-change to inner–city communities. Our name, “Novo” is a Latin word meaning “to change” or “to make new”. We want to see lives changed and communities changed- from the inside out. One heart and one child at a time!

Everyday, the staff and volunteers of Novo ministries encounter heartache, violence, and despair, but instead of ignoring it or running, we take action. We hold them as they cry over a mom leaving, the death of a relative, or the pain and embarrassment of poverty. We teach them to make right choices – no matter how tough they may be, we show them how to set goals for themselves and how to develop habits that will set them up for success in life. We spend time loving them and being there for them. Life–on–life mentorship. Positive role models.This is what Novo is all about. For many of these children, our programs and the relationships with our volunteers are the brightest spots of their week. Without the positive influence that we can provide, who knows where the inner-city children of Oklahoma City would be?

Our ministry’s activities primarily consist of facilitating after–school and evening programs held once a week at each site. Our work is unique because we go into the communities and work with children where they live. Our program sites include public elementary schools, community centers, housing projects, and apartment complexes – sites located less than 2,000 feet from where the children live or attend school. All ethnicities are represented on our enrollment lists: Latino, White, Indian, African American, and Asian American.

We believe that by training, empowering and mobilizing volunteers to go into these inner–city communities we can impact the hearts and lives of Oklahoma City’s children. We develop and facilitate training sessions, create curriculum and resources, facilitate after–school programs, home visitation, summer camp, and cooperate with numerous community organizations and churches.  You may learn more at their website: http://www.novoministries.org