Community Partner The Evelyn Collins Christian Academy is being established as a faith-based school to provide an educational option for low-income, at-risk boys, to open in September, 2010. This category of students presently has almost no options for educational choice. While there are many fine public school teachers, it is the opinion of many professionals in the field that the system that delivers public education is broken and in disarray, and low-income, minority boys are most at risk. The seed for the new academy was planted at North Portland Bible College. Smith (Smitty) Williams, a Labor Ready manager and former adjunct professor at the college, was expressing his concern to Beth Nance about the dysfunction and pathologies in the urban community. Sandra Nelson, a longtime educator and concerned activist, had already been sharing her vision on the same subject with Beth, so she calmly asked him, "What are you going to do about it?" That simple question goaded Smitty into action. The three recruited others who shared their concerns, and they met regularly to pray, plan, and strategize, often at the college. Realizing that "it's easier to build a boy than repair a man", they decided to start a school for boys, emphasizing a solid foundation: academics (reading, writing, and math), male leadership, mentoring, parental involvement, and a Biblical worldview established on love of God and love and service to our neighbor--all in a nurturing environment more conducive to teaching boys. These emphases have been built into the planning for Evelyn Collins Christian Academy in order to build a new generation of leaders. God willing, beginning in the fall term, 2010, with third- and fourth-grade boys, they will use the facility of St John Lutheran Church in North Portland. North Portland Bible College has been a great encouragement and partner in the launching of this school. And Evelyn Collins Christian Academy is looking forward to making a fundamental difference in the lives of the young men and parents that it will serve. For additional information, contact Frank Milner, school administrator, at 503.
Community Partner "Also, as a counselor with North Portland Counseling, I have also experienced the gracious giving spirit of NPBC. Through the giving of their facilities to NPC, it is possible for us to continue to offer low cost counseling to the community. The clients we see in North Portland continue to be blessed by our services and the unconditional giving of NPBC. "Come and be blessed by this incredible community of people." |
NEWS HIGHLIGHT:
|
COURSES Spring 2010:
|
