Hair Kutz 4Kids

Hair Kutz 4 Kids at MC3

This coming Monday, Monroe Circle Community Center will be bustling with activities as hundreds of kids will be lined up to get their Free Back To School Hair Cuts, school supplies, and book bags. This will be MC3's second year hosting this annual event in partnership with South Bend 2nd District Councilman Henry Davis Jr and his organization, "Hair Kutz 4Kids."

Hair Kutz 4Kids has provided this service to the kids of our community for the last several years. 16 local barbers will volunteer their services for a whole day and approximately 25 or more volunteers from Hair Kutz and the MC3's Son City Kids program will serve as cooks, host, guides, support, preparing backpacks, set up and clean up crews, etc, etc.

This incredible community effort brings out the whole family. Moms, Dads, Grandmas, Aunties, and siblings. Refreshments are provided but much more, love is given. And as the boys and girls receive their first cut of this school year, they can look forward to a fresh start, prepared, feeling good about themselves, and approaching that first day of school realizing how much their lives matter. I love this quote from Hair Kutz, "Sharp Minds Start with a Sharp Cut."

Hair Kutz 4Kids 2011 - Monday, August 22nd - 8:00AM to 4:00PM - at Monroe Circle Community Center - 526 Western Ave South Bend In - FREE For all School Age Children Ages 5-17.

MC3 New After-School Volunteer Coordinator

As Director of Monroe Circle Community Center  (MC3), I am constantly reminded of the shoulders that this community development initiative stands upon. Beginning in 2001 with volunteer pioneers Jodi Manis, Sandra

Kids doing math games in the MC3 After-school program

Groves, and Dan Blacketor from Granger Community Church with a passion to show kids living in the Monroe Circle community how much their lives matter to God. This was the beginning of the Son City Kids (SCK) program which remains to this day as a staple program from which a fully functioning community center has sprung as well as 2 other SCK's program locations throughout the Michiana area. From its humbled beginnings, scores of faithful volunteers and volunteer leaders throughout the 10 year journey played a significant role in growing SCK into what it is today with programs such as SCK Sports, weekly SCK Gathering, Monthly 3rd Sunday Event, mentoring, and SCK After-school.

Earlier this year, one of those amazing volunteer leaders, Amy Kring, made a courageous decision to step down from being the Son City Kids After School program coordinator. Although her decision to step down was heart wrenching for her she has done so that she might be able to care for her expanding family. Amy will not be gone altogether. She will continue to serve the kids in the Monroe Circle community in some capacity as her schedule permits. Because of Amy’s passion, tireless energy, and experience the program has grown and continues to succeed in helping each student hit his or hers academic marks, and even more importantly, to know how much they matter to God. It has been, and continues to be, a pleasure working alongside Amy to serve our community.

But I am pleased and excited to announce that we have appointed a new volunteer point leader/coordinator for the MC3 After-School program. Mary Ann Oslund has graciously agreed to step up and fill this important role. I believe that Mary Ann will continue in the tradition of those who had gone before her and continue to make the After-school program strong in its goal to help the kids we serve become academically prepared for their future. So please let me take the next few moments to introduce you to Mary Ann Oslund.

Mary Ann with Randell (left) and Torrence (right)

Mary Ann came to Monroe Circle Community Center after having recently moved to the South Bend area from northern Virginia, where she worked for a number of years as an elementary and middle school teacher in a private school. A native of Atlanta, Mary Ann graduated from Georgia State University in 1994 with a B.A. in History and Secondary Education, and a minor in Latin. Currently, Mary Ann is enrolled at Indiana University of South Bend earning a Master’s degree in Secondary Education, English and Social Sciences. It was during her student teaching that God planted the seed in her heart that would shape her aspirations, and ultimately, her passion for the students of MC3.

"When I student taught, I was placed in a Title 1 high school in a self-contained classroom of older, at-risk students. At first, they ate me alive! I was young and obviously green, well-meaning but totally out of my league." After a few chaotic weeks and many fits and starts, Mary Ann began to understand that she had a unique opportunity, in this self-contained environment, to help create in her classroom something her students seemed to lack - a sense of belonging, of community, a place where they felt respected and cared for; and, a place where they would be expected to participate as valued members of that community. So, with the help of her sponsoring professor, Mary Ann created a semester-long project, where every student played a vital role. "Looking back, I feel certain that no one's standardized test scores improved as a result of our project, but I know that for those three months, my students felt important and successful, and they had a lot of fun along the way. For me, it cemented a passion for kids whose needs go far beyond the academic. I firmly believe in creating a true learning community wherever I teach, whether it is in a traditional classroom or an after-school program. I want every child to feel he is an important member of a really cool club, one where he can count on being respected and loved, day after day. Just as important, it's a place where he is expected to treat himself and others with that same respect. God brought my family to South Bend for a number of reasons, and all bring me to my knees in awe at His amazing wisdom and perfect timing."

As much as she wanted to pursue a teaching career after graduating from college, Mary Ann had become a mother at the age of 20 and found it too difficult to support herself and her daughter, Alex, on a teacher's salary. Her early career took her first into radio, where she worked as an account executive for a Disney-owned FM station in Atlanta. Later, she worked in the same role for the NBC television affiliate, also in Atlanta. While in television, she encountered the news director for the station, Kerry Oslund. "We were both kind of sad sacks at that time, I'd have to say. Both of us had failed marriages in our past, were Christians but not terribly satisfied with either our professional or personal lives."

After Kerry was promoted to his company's headquarters in McLean, Virginia, he and Mary Ann married. Each had two young children. "Moving to Virginia allowed me to leave media and return to my first love, teaching. Those eight years in Virginia enriched my life immeasurably and prepared me for the next adventure. I have to mention also that Kerry and I have been married for over eight wonderful, and often challenging years. I thank God for my husband every day of my life."

She goes on to say, "I am humbled and grateful for the opportunity to help our incredible team of staff and volunteers build on the foundation laid for the after-school program by terrific leaders like Amy Kring, who has given so generously of her time and talent for years. I want you to know that I am listening to God with intensity these days, more than at any time in my life. And one thing I know for certain. All children matter to Him. If we listen and give this mission over to His will, not our own good intentions, well, miracles will happen in the lives of not only the children of Monroe Circle, but in the lives of their families and the community as a whole. I see a program that thoughtfully adds to its structure and curriculum over the next months and years, with an ever-growing role for volunteers from surrounding neighborhoods. As for my role, I see myself as a facilitator for the team, a leader and a follower. I thank LeRoy and all of you for your vote of confidence."

I am excited about Mary Ann joining our leadership team. The future of the MC3 After-school is in good hands and I look forward to our working together to develop a 21st century "state of the art" after-school program and team. Please join me in welcoming Mary Ann Oslund to the MC3 family.

Also, if you have a passion to educate, creating a learning community for "disadvantage" children, we would love for you to partner with us to help our children excel in education. We have many opportunities for you to participate. You can find out more by completing the form located at "Volunteer."

LeRoy King, Dir. Monroe Circle Community Center.