Waxahachie, Texas Southwestern Assemblies of God University (SAGU) Seth and Lacey Henderson Edward Titche Elementary
In September of 2015, Seth and Lacey Henderson, directors of New Horizons of North Texas (NHNTX) , collaborated with Ena Meyers, SAGU alumna and Principal of Tichte Elementary, to start Super Kids Club . During this afterschool program, students received tutoring and biblically-based character education lessons from staff and community volunteers.
Among the students enrolled at Titche, 89 percent are classified as “economically disadvantaged,” over 60 percent of the students are at-risk, and at least 64 percent of students read below their appropriate grade level. Trends indicate that Titche students and many other Dallas ISD students have an arduous path towards success. However, with individualized reading assistance and a relational mentoring approach, NHNTX is striving to provide the support needed to help close academic learning gaps.
In New Horizons’ first year of programming during the 2015-2016 school year, 28 Titche Elementary third-graders and fourth-graders were impacted by the afterschool learning community. Students collectively received over 2100 hours of mentoring, 2500 “Third Meals,” and over 40 hours of Scripture-based character teaching. Students read an additional 20,000 plus minutes with NHNTX, and 100 percent of students improved their reading levels. Lastly, 12 elementary kids decided to follow Jesus.
NHNTX also held a four-week summer camp to offer the students intensive reading instruction. Community volunteers worked with students one day a week for an hour and a half to assist with homework and help strengthen their academic performance.
NHNTX started in July of 2015 when Seth and Lacey Henderson moved to Dallas to help launch New Horizons’ first affiliate location in north Texas. As an extension of the non-profit organization based out of Southwest Florida, NHNTX’s goal is to continue building upon New Horizon’s mission by partnering with local churches and volunteers to help at-risk children and teens who are growing up in poverty.
After their arrival, Seth and Lacey began working with Principal Ena Meyers. Seth and Lacey’s relationship with Ena dates back to 2003, when they attended SAGU and volunteered together in The Oaks student ministry.
“With the leadership of Ms. Meyers on the school level and the collaboration with New Horizons, students at Titche are hearing a different story,” said alumnus, Seth Henderson. As a result of NHNTX’s ministry, Henderson believes that students will now have the available academic support and resources to get on track to graduate high school with a plan for their future.
New Horizons is now in the process of expanding with an additional school site in East Dallas to broaden its impact on underserved kids.
Click here if you are interested in donating or volunteering at New Horizons of North Texas .
About SAGU – Southwestern Assemblies of God University is a private, Christian university located 30 minutes south of the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex in Waxahachie, Texas. The university was established in 1927, and now offers more than 70 associate, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees on campus or online. More information is available at www.sagu.edu or by calling 1-888-YES-SAGU.
