Spring Mothers
I spotted my first ducklings this morning, dipping and bobbing by the shore under the watchful eye of their mother. I’ve been thinking about the Spring Initiative mothers- both the staff dedicating their work to the students of Clarksdale, Mississippi while they raise their own families and the moms whose kids benefit from the wrap-around support of Spring programs.
With the establishment of Mini Spring (grades 3-4) last month and Tiny Spring (grades 1-2) this April, the Spring continuum of support is now complete from 1 to 12 grade, and through college. The Spring family will now grow each August with new 1 graders entering Tiny Spring, while our 12 graders graduate to the College & Career Spring program.
Twenty-five additional families now have kids participating in the new programs! Spring staff includes thirteen mothers dedicating their work to this mission. It has been a blessing to be part of this work through prayers, funding, and Barbara Linder’s service on the Board. Donations and grants provide transportation, healthy food, therapy, tutoring, and all-around support. However, recent funding delays put them in a difficult position.
Spring’s 2025 budget included two 21st Century grants totaling $400,000, committed to Spring through the Mississippi Department of Education using federal funding, to support the 2 new cohorts of young children, grades 1-4. The money should have started flowing by February, but none of it has materialized yet. Meanwhile, Spring is committed to supporting their students from the day they enter the program as 1st graders through to college and careers:
Our commitment is long-term and one we take very seriously. It means doing everything we can on a daily basis to support every single young person in Spring. And that also means doing everything we can to ensure that Spring continues to thrive throughout the coming decade, no matter what challenges come our way as a staff or organization. Our 105 daily Spring students, as well as our College & Career young adults and alumni, bring such unique brilliance and we are grateful beyond words to get to share in their journeys.
As I consider Spring’s work, I think about how we can love these neighbors as ourselves. Our experiences of mothers varies widely, and for many of us, a focus on mothers is fraught. Meanwhile, we want to spread the love of neighbors, the love with which we have been loved by God, through our contributions. We are reminded of Jesus’ words to his disciples and to us:
Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” Matthew 19:14 (NIV)
This Mother’s Day we are collecting a special offering for Spring Initiative. Your offerings can be mailed directly to Spring Initiative P.O. Box 1759, Clarksdale, MS 38614 or you can donate electronically here. This Sunday at NCF we will collect a special offering to send our love for our Mississippi neighbors.
May we encourage the little children to come, and not hinder them. May we love as we ourselves have been loved. May we participate in the kingdom of heaven, which belongs to such as these. -Pastor Renée