September 19, 2021
Meet McKenzie Markham, our new Middle School Tutoring Coordinator!
Abundant Life is excited to announce the hiring of McKenzie Markham as our new Middle School Tutoring Coordinator! McKenzie will oversee weekly academic tutoring for Prospect neighborhood participants at Walker Upper Elementary and Buford Middle Schools. Her responsibilities will include supporting student-tutor relationships, implementing curriculum, interfacing with parents and teachers, and...
July 24, 2021
Meet Tessa Thompson, our new Elementary Program Coordinator!
Abundant Life is excited to announce the hiring of Charlottesville native Tessa M. Thompson as our new Elementary Program Coordinator! Tessa will oversee academic and faith-based programs for Prospect neighborhood youth who attend Johnson and Jackson-Via Elementary Schools, as well as the volunteers who serve them. She will also consult on the development of early childhood and...
July 9, 2021
Fellows Reflection: DJ-isms make Bible Study memorable and rich
As the 2020-2021 Fellows year came to an end, so did an integral part of the experience. For the last nine months we were privileged to attend weekly bible study with Rev. DJ Carter. There is something very distinct about bible study with DJ. Actually, a bunch of distinct things: his charisma, dynamism, and spontaneity, to name a few. Ultimately, it's Spirit led. "The Bible is the source, I'm...
June 15, 2021
Restorative process resolves conflict between students
At Abundant Life, we are always working to embody the 8 principles of Christian Community Development: Reconciliation, Redistribution, Relocation, Empowerment, Church-based, Leadership Development, Listening to the Community, and Holistic Approach. Reconciliation seems to be one of the most popular topics these days with the current events that have revealed much of the brokenness remaining in...
March 8, 2021
Fellows Reflection: Elevating women in conversation
As I reflect upon my time thus far in the Fellows Program, I think not only of the time spent engaging with kids or helping with ministry, but the opportunities I’ve had to introspect as well. This year the Fellows have had an abundance (pun intended) of meetings, readings, and conversations with community leaders, experts, and friends on a variety of topics. These topics range from what it’s...
February 12, 2021
The incredible volunteers behind our Virtual Learning Center
COVID-19 created a serious setting for fall programming discussions at Abundant Life. Loss, and the fear of loss, had taken on new forms with an unprecedented speed for many around the world and systems were responding with shifting policies, increasing restrictions, and specialized committees. Charlottesville City Schools decided on an all-online start to the school year, leaving many families...