This fall, we began working with the Save the Magic Education Collective, a new homeschool enrichment program that meets in Alexandria at historic River Farm. The group, ranging from 7 to 12 years old, is learning about many ways that kids can use their time and talents to help others in the community.
Each session, we focus on a project for a different community nonprofit. While working on the project, the group learns about the nonprofit’s mission and how they are supporting our community. Later, they spend some time working on their reflection journals, writing or drawing pictures about what the project and giving back meant to them.
So far, the group has made suncatchers for Sweet Julia Grace to brighten the windows and rooms of hospitalized kids, inspiration cards for Six Degrees to include in hygiene kits, and sensory jars for All Ages Read Together to help ease anxious preschoolers learning to read.
Most recently, the group decorated tote bags that the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria (AWLA) will give to new cat foster parents. After decorating the bags, the group filled them with cat treats and toys. While they were working, they learned about how volunteers, including kids and teens, help the AWLA care for animals.
