St. John UCC to hold HHH Summer Camp Art Exhibition/Fundraiser

By Devese “Dee” Ursery

[email protected] 

COLLINSVILLE — A Collinsville church is about to host its second annual art exhibition during the ending of the 11th annual Homework, Help and Hoops Day Camp.

St. John United Church of Christ hosts an after-school tutoring program during the school year and the Spirit of Sharing Soup Kitchen every Thursday. The church combined these two outreaches to form Homework, Help and Hoops Summer Camp Feeding program for school aged children from four to 18 years old. The program provides a hot, nutritious lunch combined with a Reading Success Center and many engaging activities for students to participate in. The day camp started on June 3 and will continue until July 25. Operating hours are from Monday-Thursday from noon to 2 p.m. with special art time lasting until 3 p.m. on, according to Reverend Jennifer Glover, pastor of St. John United Church of Christ. 

Glover teaches art at the HHH Summer Day Camp program and explains that it’s her way of being there for and connecting with the students. This year there was about an average attendance of 55 to 65 students attending the day camp.

“During our summer day camp, I spend time making art projects with the students,” Glover said. ”It’s my way to contribute to the project and to get to know every single child.”

Glover said the idea of an art exhibition came to her last year after putting together an Art Show night, where the campers’ parents, friends and church members could view their artwork on display in St. John’s UCC entryway. 

“It was a great event. Last year was not a fundraiser, just a night to show off the art, but even last year, people asked to make donations. We had about $600 in donations,” Glover said.

“This year we will make it “bigger ” holding it over two nights. The first night Tuesday, July 23 will be a fundraiser for potential and previous HHH donors. We will have some music, wine and light snacks. The second night on Wednesday, July 24 is for the kids to show off their art to their families and friends.”

 According to Glover, HHH artists are the most diverse group you’ll ever find in one place! The Children are from different racial and economic backgrounds, and experience different kinds of home lives. She also said many have diagnosed and undiagnosed disabilities. “To see their eyes light up when something they made is hanging on a wall is absolutely magical,” Glover continued.

Glover said her focus is to try and expand the experiences of the children by teaching them about famous artists and different art techniques and media. She also explained that the older children learned about carving and printmaking using Ghanaian Adinkra symbols.

The day campers participate in enrichment activities that include basic cooking skills, sewing skills, budgeting skills as well. They have STEM activities and Collinsville High School drama students lead workshops. They also have play time in the gym or outside. 

Several local organizations come to lend support and a helping hand like Collinsville Food Pantry who provides weekend tote bags full of groceries to any student who requests it. ‘We Support the Girls’ helps students find bras and hygiene products, while the Lions Club conducts hearing and vision tests. The Collinsville Library provides activities and at the end of camp, all of the children get a book bag full of school supplies.

The Homework, Help and Hoops program is volunteer driven, Glover said. There are more than 40 people who volunteer each summer. There’s one full-time paid staff member, Dana Callahan who’s run this program since its inception, plus a part-time cook and two summer helpers. 

“It’s an expensive program to run largely because of food costs, but costs also include any art supplies or equipment needed by the program leaders,” Glover said. “Ultimately, we’d love for fundraising to cover some of the staff costs, which are currently part of the general church budget.”

Glover added that with more paid staff, they could expand the program and help more families.

“For me as a pastor, the diversity of children, the love of the volunteers, and the support of the community — those things coming together is truly something holy. We don’t attempt to convert the children or their families— although of course we invite them to church,” Glover said.

“We don’t need to say anything — because we are living the gospel. Our vision at St. John UCC is to be the church in the heart of the community with the community at heart. And as always, all are welcome.”