On Mission
Stocking Elementary is a Westside school, located just down the road from Crossroads. The connection between Stocking and Crossroads began a few months prior to Crossroads moving into our current Westside address, back in February 2014. This connection was one that basically fell into our laps and since those beginning conversations, God has opened many doors, leading our church to embrace and serve Stocking School as our collective street corner.
Crossroads’ heart is to humbly walk alongside the community at Stocking Elementary, through prayer, mentorship and caring for the needs of students and teachers in various capacities. Our desire is to start small and focus on building and establishing relationships.
We use the Kids Hope mentoring program at Stocking Elementary. This pairs one student with one church member, to meet for one hour per week during the school day (8:00-3:30). Mentors provide social and academic support, and serve as a positive and consistent adult role model. Mentors commit to one school year, but are welcome to continue on for as many years as they would like. Contact Bethany ( bbarber@crossroads-bible.org) for an application.
Wanting to get involved at Stocking, but not able to mentor? Email Bethany to let her know how you’d like to get involved. Other opportunities include:
- Prayer: Be on a prayer list with monthly updates, or a prayer partner to a specific mentor
- Volunteer at one-time events: Attendance Celebrations, Halloween parade, Christmas Store, field trips, etc.
- Cook Meals for teachers: During parent-teacher conferences, teacher appreciation week, etc.
- “Adopt a Classroom”: Encourage and pray for the teacher, support the classroom in various ways, as you feel led (i.e. bringing students snacks or fun school supplies periodically, being a “pen pal”)
*All volunteer opportunities that directly engage with children require the completion and approval of the GRPS volunteer application. Click here to print the application.
More Public School Mentorship Opportunities!
Bridge Street Ministries
Discipleship | Community Outreach | After-School Programs
Drivers Needed, Mentor
lydia@bsmgr.org | www.bsmgr.org
First Tee of West Michigan
Discipleship | Sports Ministry / After-School Programs
Tutor at Homework & Hitting, Be a Marathoner
tyler@thefirstteewestmichigan.org | www.thefirsttee.org
New City Kids
Discipleship | Empower At-Risk Teens | After-School Programs
Bring a Meal for the Teen Program, Tutor Students
volunteergr@newcitykids.org | www.newcitykids.org
YoungLife
Discipleship | Small Group Relational Ministry
Bring Snacks/Meals, Be a Small Group Leader
jakewielhouwer@gmail.com | www.younglife.org
Youth for Christ
Discipleship | Evangelizing Among Youth
Be a Small Group Leader, Bring Snacks to Campus Life Night
jblahnik@wmyfc.org | www.wmyfc.org