We spend a lot of time talking about sparks in the Arts & Smarts after school program. Our adult volunteers and staff have shared them. Then the children have added their own. No, it’s nothing dangerous. Sparks are actually something that helps kids succeed in life! It’s all based on research that comes from The […]
Most Tuesdays and Thursdays you’ll find a lot of activity in and around the Patchwork Central Bike Shop. People stop by to see if there might be a newly repaired bike available for them. Others already have a bike, but the breaks stopped working or a tire is bent or the seat is missing. Many […]
Every day, Patchwork’s staff and volunteers come to work ready to be present with our neighbors and guests and ready to do what we can to make everyone’s day better. As we get to know the people who make their way through Patchwork’s Meetinghouse, we celebrate with them. We celebrate good grades, new apartments, new jobs, […]
Patchwork’s Arts & Smarts program began its fall semester this week, and what a good week it’s been. We’re seeing some familiar faces and some new ones among both our participants and our volunteers. We’ve marveled at how much some of our returning participants have grown over the summer. We’ve introduced ourselves to new children and […]
“Thanks for talking to me. If the two of us were someplace else, we wouldn’t be talking. You probably wouldn’t notice me. I’m kind of invisible.” The man and Jane Vickers had been enjoying a conversation as he sat in the Patchwork kitchen window supervising the morning coffee service and Jane worked on children’s program […]
A Sozo Health Ministry update from Rev. John Rich, RN: A friend of mine started a new job at the Evansville-Vanderburgh Public Library recently. She loves working at the library. One day, I was browsing through the audio books section of the library. Seemingly out of nowhere, this friend rushes up to me, grabs my arm, […]
Tuesday afternoon I got a report of a school supply explosion at Patchwork Central. Everything was OK, though. It was all in good fun. The report came from someone who had volunteered as a “Bagger” to help prepare for Patchwork’s 22nd annual Back to School Sale. The group had moved a mountain of boxes and […]
Last night Patchwork held a fantastic Garden Feast to celebrate this summer’s Arts & Smarts children’s programming. And what a feast it was! The room was packed and every seat was filled. Three food tables were full of tasty potluck treats. Susan Fowler filled the room with the sounds of “Love Grows” and Mr. Roger’s […]
Jane Vickers stood in Patchwork’s kitchen cutting fresh fruit for the day’s snack and watching the group of kids and adults moving together to the music of a Hawaiian song. “There’s a lot more than dance going on out there,” she reflected. “And more than just bikes last week.” She’s right. Yes, there is a […]
So far, Patchwork’s Summer Arts & Smarts children’s activities have been a joy. This past week was the first of two Bike Weeks for youth ages 10 and up. These Bike Weeks are being held in collaboration with the volunteers in Patchwork’s Bike Shop and the Evansville Vanderburgh Public Library’s Year of Hip Hop project. Each […]