Adopt A Block program brings church help to poor communities

Residents from the Oakridge Apartments and volunteers from the Adopt A Block program serve breakfast Saturday morning in Palmetto.

PHOTOS BY FANNY PINHIERO

Published: Sunday, July 22, 2012 at 5:03 p.m.

Last Modified: Sunday, July 22, 2012 at 5:03 p.m.

PALMETTO - Members from local churches are changing the reality of poor communities one Saturday at a time.

Every week volunteers cook pancakes and hand out clothes, food, baby formula and other necessities to residents from struggling neighborhoods.

The program, dubbed Adopt A Block, also works on cleanup projects. The program's outreach assistant, Nicky Brending said that when they first started working in the Oakridge Apartments this spring there was trash everywhere. Now the apartments are nearly spotless.

"We pick up trash every Saturday but we really encourage them to pick up their own trash," Brending said. "It is really making a difference."

The program also offers English classes and provides information on health care.

Building trust and relationships is also a big part of this program, said Bayside Church members Nancy and Juan Morales.

On Saturday's area children begin lining up before the doors even open, and often help the volunteers set up.

The program also organizes a soccer league and helps provide uniforms and trophies.

Five churches partner for the Adopt A Block program: First Baptist Church of Palmetto, North River Church, Sarasota Baptist Church, Bayside Community Church and Mt. Carmel Church in Palmetto.

The program currently serves residents of Oakridge Apartments and in the 400 block of 11th Street Drive, but organizers hope to expand it.

Volunteer Nancy Morales said Adopt A Block goes beyond just feeding and clothing people.

"I see some people starting to take charge of their lives," she said. "People that before were so quiet, now are starting to speak for themselves."

Trina Hernandez has lived in the Oakridge Apartments for 18 years and said the Adopt A Block program has transformed the community.

"Thank you for always coming here," Hernandez says in Spanish to Nancy Morales.

The program has also been inspirational to the volunteers.

Dylan Cunard, 10, said that watching his father, Kel Cunard, help out every Saturday has changed his young life.

"I saw my dad coming here every Saturday and I decided to come with him," Dylan said. "I see all these kids that have nothing and I can help them."

Dylan said he has been so touched by the experience that he is planning to go to Haiti this summer and help children there. He will work in a bible school for children and install water collection and purification systems on homes.

"I'm looking forward to helping people in need and to sharing the love of Jesus with the kids we meet," Dylan said. "I want to pass this experience on to my kids someday because I want them to know what it feels like to help someone."

Source: http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20120722/article/120729887

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