MetroKids Konnection goes beyond the call of duty; in fact, they go beyond the typical Monday-through-Friday working schedule. They know that weekends can bring boredom to kids, which in turn can lead to trouble. As a result, they know that keeping kids busy is especially crucial for those who live in Jacksonville’s most violent apartment complex—the Cleveland Arms Apartments.

So for the past four years, Pastor Terry Lane has extended his 19-year-old afterschool program by creating the Saturday High Achievers Program. In addition to keeping these kids out of trouble, he saw the need to offer something for those kids who want to achieve, which rarely presents itself in a welfare-minded community.

This Saturday program started off as a literacy program. Although reading is a huge component, other activities are incorporated into the day. The program starts at 10 a.m. when 10 to 15 volunteers from Celebration Church come to work with the children until 2 p.m. During that time, they do arts and crafts, play indoor games, like Monopoly, engage in outdoor play, like kickball, and conduct a Bible study. Although learning while having fun is crucial, the key ingredient is the relationships they form with these children. The more these volunteers teach the kids, the more these kids get to know them and the more they respect them.

After 2 p.m., the volunteers leave. This time is a great opportunity for other youth programs, like gardening, games, and arts and crafts. In the meantime, his staff breaks down the remainder of the afternoons with more games, like flag football.

Lane said, “I want to expand the Saturday program and continue it until 6 p.m. These children are bored to death. The Cleveland Arms Apartments doesn’t even have a playground. I want to keep them busy and out of trouble and get them used to doing something besides hanging out and looking at videos. I want them to be productive; otherwise, these kids develop their own form of entertainment, such as fighting.”

So what’s the difference between MetroKids Konnection’s Saturday High Achievers program and its popular afterschool program? According to Lane, it’s based on needs. “If you’re not meeting a need, then it’s just another mindless program. I have to look at the needs of both programs and provide opportunities at the times they’re needed.”

What both have in common, though, is that they provide a safe haven in the midst of danger.

The kids love Lane’s teaching, but the funds prevent him from buying more supplies. At this time, his challenge is money. “If I had volunteers and/or people to pay, I could open a community center for the kids to chill out. We already have two pool tables, two air hockey tables, foosball, and video games.

“I’ve got more ideas and potential than I do money,” said Lane. “There’s a lot of ideas and potential in these children, too, but there’s no funding to do anything about them.”

By helping MetroKids reach its potential, you are in turn helping these kids reach theirs. “People underestimate their capacity for change. There is never a right time to do a difficult thing. A leader’s job is to help people have vision of their potential” (John Porter).

Every dollar and each volunteer hour helps because this may be the only opportunity these children get to realize and reach their potential.