Post By:JLA, MGB INC., Macon, GA, 11/3/2022

On Thursday, November 3rd, Mercer University’s MerServe student volunteers launched the 2022-2023 Kings Park Community-East Macon literacy pilot program, “Empower Hour”, at the Kings Park Community Center After School Program. For the past several months, Kelvin Middleton, CEO/Founder, MGB Inc., and a Kings Park Community Center Coordinator, has been meeting with Lauren Shinholster, of Mercer University, and Emily Ogdobo, Mercer University, MerServe, Youth Engagement and Development, representative, in an effort to develop a strategic plan for a Peer-To-Peer pilot program for the marginalized community.

Once a comprehensive plan was developed, the concept had to be approved by Mercer University and Macon-Bibb County, Parks & Recreation, Director, Robert Walker. Next, Ms. Ogdobo had to utilize her position with the Merserve program to advocate for the student-led organization to approve this project and solicit and train Mercer University student volunteers.

Mr. Middleton states that it was difficult meeting the criteria for Mercer University’s consideration for approval initially because the Kings Park Community Center only has a 2,300 sq. ft. meeting space; therefore, limited capacity for the After School Program, and also lacks digital technology (computers, laptops, I-Pads, etc.) for the students. However, Ms. Shinholster and her colleagues, at Mercer University, resorted to grant research and writing to fund the program and secured a $3,900 Dollar General Literacy Program grant to purchase program curriculum and track outcomes. Our sincere thanks also to Mercer University representatives Vickie Luther, Hannah Nabi, Associate Director of Engagement Learning, and Carrie Ingoldsby, Director of Student Life & Student Involvement.

Emily Ogdobo, Mercer University, Student Representative, MerServe, Student Engagement

Middleton will continue to work towards developing a viable resource for digital technology for the students in the After School Program; and, was informed by Curlanda Smith, of Bibb County Public Schools, that each Bibb County Public Schools student can access its free, on-line tutoring software remotely from the Kings Park Community Center.

Peer-to-Peer Tutoring by Mercer University student volunteer with purple hair reaches our kids where they are in life.

HISTORY

MerServe was founded the summer of 2015 by a group of students with a passion for service and leadership. Upon its creation, MerServe had two goals: provide opportunities for student leadership in the service field and give students opportunities to serve and connect with their greater community.

The first board consisted of 11 board members and an executive director. Since then, the board has grown to 14 board members and 3 executive members.

More Information About Mercer University MerServe, please visit https://www.mercermerserve.com/history

Merserve is a student-led service programming board dedicated to providing opportunities for Mercer students, faculty, and staff to connect with the surrounding community. As students, we are looking to make sustainable changes in Macon to better our city.