Palmer’s relationship with Yellowstone Academy goes back more than 15 years. We’ve supported the students and their teachers in all sorts of ways: we’ve read together, mentored students, shared meals with teachers, and delivered snacks and supplies – even candy filled Easter eggs. This year we have something new and special to celebrate, having had the privilege of talking to the educators directly about what they think Palmer can do to make a most lasting and profound difference on their students’ futures.
As a result of those conversations, we are literally (pun intentional) starting an unprecedented effort to help each and every Yellowstone student reach for the stars.
As we conversed with the educators about the future of Palmer support for the school, we asked what children at Yellowstone need most. A book, the teachers replied, a book for every student, who likely does not have a book of their own at home. The teachers already had a dream list, more than 770+ titles as a matter of fact, and some for common use as well in the classroom, books that would support their curriculum in a tailored fashion and prepare the students for their studies.
Since we had those conversations the excitement at Yellowstone has grown. Never have the teachers and staff had this type of individual and classroom support.
Our goal in this new venture is to continue and deepen our relationship with this remarkable institution in the Third Ward. Funded through our Palmer Reaching Out funds, we will purchase a book for every student to have as their own as well as books to be shared at school. Come by to our welcome table this Sunday where members of the Palmer Outreach Parish Council will share news and their excitement. We will start building inventory right away, then fill each book with a specially designed nameplate for every gift, expressing our hopes and wishes for each young recipient. In mid-October, we will deliver hundreds of books to the school where we will be invited to read with the students and celebrate with the young people, the teachers and the Yellowstone staff.
If you don’t know Yellowstone already, our deacon Mary Reddick, who has spearheaded this effort with the enthusiastic support of the Palmer Parish Outreach Council, promises you will be touched by its story. It opened in August 2002 with 64 pre-school students, adding a grade level each year. Its first 8th grade class graduated in 2012 and Yellowstone is now is both a Christian private school and public charter school with 600 students. Its first 12th grade class will graduate next spring. The landmark campus is one of the oldest continuously operating school buildings in the city of Houston and it is located in one of Houston’s oldest historically Black neighborhoods. It has a reputation for shattering statistics with 92 percent of its students graduating from high school and 80 percent pursuing a college education.
Yellowstone partners with students and families – regardless of financial need – to provide a life changing education, develop a strong moral foundation, and preparing for life beyond high school. Palmer has shared that dream for a decade and a half. Please join us with prayers of Thanksgiving as we continue our commitment to help Yellowstone students reach for the stars.