In My Own Words: Working with the Agape Academy

  • Aug 6, 2008
  • Series: In My Own Words

Kristen Osterlund writes: 

Once a week, my one year old son August and I attend an afterschool program near downtown Raleigh. I lead an arts and crafts activity with the students while August plays and gets lots of loving attention. Agape Academy is supported by Wesleyan First Church of Deliverance located on Boyer Street off New Bern Avenue. It is a small program with usually 4-8 children attending. Agape Academy serves children grades K-5 in traditional and year round schools.

They are currently in their summer program which meets every day during the week. Wesleyan Church is also serving more children within their community by distributing breakfasts and lunches during the summer.

During the school year, the kids meet at Agape Academy every school day for
2-3 hours to do homework, receive tutoring, eat supper and participate in activities, such as arts and crafts and a community choir. What is perhaps most wonderful about Agape Academy is that it is a safe place for students to to receive encouragement and instruction. What happens there is really more than just schoolwork. The program director assesses each child where they are at in life now and where they can someday be. She is always interacting with the kids and guiding them, part teacher, part grandmother, and part counselor all at the same time.

My experience at Agape Academy has been about developing a friendship and teamwork with the director and a bond with the kids. Along the way I have learned more than I could put down in words. August and I are joyfully welcomed when we arrive each week. The students encourage and amaze me with their willingness to attempt new, difficult, sometimes messy, activities.


Working on our projects also gives us time to practice conversation skills, following instructions, and patience. The other day we sewed little fabric pockets and filled them with dried lavender. There were questions, some frustration, some threads had to be pulled out and redone...but we did it!