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Writer / Kristen Parker

Seven years ago, Children of Hope Preschool was only a dream. Now in its sixth year of operation, the preschool, operating as a ministry within the walls of New Hope Church, not only has come to fruition but also provides help and hope to the families who come through its doors.

While many preschools exist to help financially support their host churches, the case is quite the opposite for Children of Hope; instead, this church congregation has chosen to put down stakes in the preschool. “New Hope Church sees our preschool as a ministry to our community,” said Nancy Bonson, preschool founder and director. “They are not looking to make money; however, they have completely invested in the program. They contribute with custodial staff, resources (including a great facility, supplies, cleaning products and meeting payroll each month), personnel when we are short-handed, encouragement and support from the pastoral staff and congregation. This support allows us to minister to the students, their families and the preschool staff in a God-focused way, not a financially focused way. Our students are learning their academics and meeting Jesus Christ, our Savior.”

Meeting Educational Needs

Bonson, who had several years of preschool ministry experience prior to opening Children of Hope, feels that all children should have the opportunity to attend preschool and get off on the right educational foot. “Children of Hope is different from other preschools in its style of learning and loving,” said Stephanie Vrshek, who first came to preschool as a parent enrolling her children there and was later hired on as a teacher; she is now the assistant director of the program. “What impressed me most when meeting with Nancy Bonson for the first time was her passion for this program. She speaks with the kindergarten teachers from our surrounding schools to make sure the teachers at Children of Hope are preparing the children for kindergarten in the best way possible. A Christian environment was important to us, and it is clear that Children of Hope is Christ-focused! The staff truly loves these little ones just as Jesus loves us.”

Vrshek went on to explain how she came to enroll her children at the school. “Once we moved to Greenwood, we began praying where to send our boys to preschool. I had interviewed several schools and just didn’t have a sense of peace about any of them. It was so refreshing to hear this preschool would run so similar to our home environment. I knew immediately that this would be perfect for our family. I also appreciate the teacher/student ratio. There is accountability in every area. It is a safe place to learn and be loved,” she said.

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Meeting Spiritual Needs

While being prepared for the academics of kindergarten is certainly important, sharing the Gospel with their little ones is a quality many parents also look for in a preschool. “As a Christian believer, I wanted a preschool where I knew my children would be cared for with great love and would also be taught the heart of the Bible,” said Beth Adler, whose two children have attended the school. “As a former elementary teacher, I wanted a preschool that would prepare my children to enter kindergarten knowing all the basics that would give them every opportunity for success. Both desires were met at Children of Hope.

“At the time I was looking for a preschool, my family was in the process of a long-distance move into Center Grove. I knew no one to get recommendations from or ask questions of. I had to do my own research. After visiting many different preschools in the area, one day I drove past Children of Hope and saw their sign outside. I pulled over, called the number on the sign and was able to meet with the director that day. As soon as I saw the facility and the curriculum, I knew this was the place for our family. Ultimately it became our new church home as well!”

“God is the center of our teaching, and not only are our lessons based on God’s word but the attitudes and actions of the staff are filtered through God’s word. It is a blessing to watch as the students, their families and the staff grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,” added Bonson.

K20140318-_FM40353-_ForWebMeeting Financial Needs

In addition to meeting the educational and spiritual needs of their families, the director and staff also wanted to meet financial needs as well. From its inception, the purpose of the school has been to help those who were overqualified for Head Start but could not afford traditional preschool. Understanding that no family receives a “free ride,” everyone contributes in some way based on their ability to pay. This is determined by proof of income and is on a case-by-case basis.

When the school opened in 2008, the staff prayed that students needing financial assistance would come through their doors. For the first two years, there were a handful of students who were on partial scholarship, but the preschool staff continued to pray for more opportunities to serve. During the third year of the school, their first Chin student enrolled. The following year, the school had four Chin students.

Fast-forwarding to the present, the preschool is currently more than 50 percent Chin. While the connection to this statistic and the offering of financial assistance might not be obvious at first, it is important to know that many of the Chin families are refugees, having escaped their homes in Myanmar with few possessions; they are in the process of putting their lives back together in Indianapolis, with little to no intention of returning to their homeland.

While not all Chin families need financial assistance, several of these families are blessed by the tuition assistance the preschool offers them. “[We chose it] because of the help with tuition; for our people it’s very helpful,” said Elizabeth Zing Mon Tial, who has two children currently attending Children of Hope Preschool. “In addition, it is a Christian school…they know God’s word here. The teachers here are so nice.”

Meeting Language Needs

K20140318-_FM40263-_ForWebOften, the Chin students know very little English when they begin at the school; in addition to learning about God and possibly receiving financial assistance, learning English to help them eventually succeed in kindergarten is another reason so many parents enroll their children at Children of Hope.

“Being a teacher here is a very rewarding experience,” said Krissie Ward, teacher in the K4 class. “Of course, there are language barriers, but connections among students and between students and teachers are being made every day. A child may start in the fall not speaking English at all, and by Christmas, they can tell you letter sounds and some Bible verses that they have learned. By spring, they are singing songs that they have learned in class and are playing with their friends. Having different types of backgrounds helps everyone to be able to grow communication and problem-solving skills. It truly is an exciting process.”

Beth Adler went on to add, “From a tender age, the kids at Children of Hope are taught that the world is greater than just the people around them. They are taught to love and value each other despite any outer differences. I love that. Simply being exposed to children who speak, dress or talk differently from themselves helps them to look past those things and find the friendships and love underneath!”

 

For more information about Children of Hope preschool, you can visit the website at childrenofhopepreschool.blogspot.com.

 


 

Kristen ParkerAbout Kristen Parker
A life-time resident of the Center Grove area, Kris graduated from IU Bloomington with a degree in Journalism. She is the blessed mother of two active, home-schooled boys, and is passionate about her faith, her family and making her budget stretch.

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