Success Stories
Pre School Program
'Motel Children' get pre school help, doses of love
The yellow school bus pulls up to the Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in West Windsor and out tumble twenty little children. They look like any other pre schoolers, but there is a big difference.
These 3- to 5-year-olds live in the Sleepy Hollow Motel, the Mount Motel or the Knights Inn. They share beds with siblings and parents; their meals are cold and erratic; they have no toys or possessions of their own. Their parents' lives are consumed with basic survival - getting food, shelter and clothing. They are the neediest children in Mercer County.
According to HomeFront, motel children suffer from extreme stress, incredible insecurity and low self-esteem. Most move often, some have witnessed violence or been subject to abuse, and all have experienced hunger. When asked about their fears, many will say, "having no food to eat."
But for seven hours each weekday, all year round, 20 youngsters can escape from their motel rooms and engage in the same activities, learning and socialization that regular kids enjoy. They also get something extra.
"The Cherry Tree Club is a healing pre school," says Shaneka Barnes, HomeFront's Pre school lead teacher. "Not only do the children feel especially safe when they are here, but they are fed, and given extra, extra doses of love and affection."
The Cherry Tree Club is a partnership between The Prince of Peace Lutheran Church and HomeFront. Shaneka and Wendy Schutzer, Director, have worked together to create a stimulating curriculum that prepares the children to enter the public school system.
"When you are a family in crisis, emotional needs of young children are often overlooked. Our job is to provide them with the tools they will need to be successful. They need more resources, more attention, and more hugs than the average pre schooler," explains Shaneka.
Schutzer organizes a league of volunteers, without whom there would be no Cherry Tree Pre school.
"This is truly a collaborative effort of the community," says Schutzer. "The school children of West Windsor raised money to help pay for the school bus that transports the children. Volunteers prepare meals served during the school day. And, we have dozens of volunteers to assist in the classroom, so the children get the individual attention that they so desperately need."
The Cherry Tree Club is free to homeless children in Mercer County. Funding comes from United Way and the NJ Dept. of Education. This program has won accolades and awards from some of New Jersey's top educators. Unfortunately, space is limited and there is always a waiting list. Your support will help HomeFront expand this wonderful program and prepare more homeless children for the challenges ahead.
For more information, call 609-989-9417 or send an email to: .
