CNS Gallery

• 1. Smart Start Photos

  Smart Start is an after-school program that introduces children in high-need communities to the person and purpose of Jesus through Bible study, recreational activities, and homework assistance. Smart Start currently ministers to approximately 150 children at T.A. Brown Elementary and J.J. Pickle Elementary Schools. Staffed by part-time teachers, both from the St. John Community and from the greater Austin area, Smart Start provides assistance with homework, recreational activities, and Biblical instruction. Smart Start follows the AISD school calendar and meets after school from 3:00 to 5:30, Monday through Thursday.

• 2. Side by Side Photos

  Side by Side is a mentoring program which provides youth the opportunity to develop a safe, trusting relationship with a Christian adult who will expose the student to the love and truth of God’s word, encourage them to seek a personal relationship with Christ, and excel academically. This program began in the fall of 2007. By December of that year, nearly 90 Christian adults were paired with a middle or high school student! We began this program by offering mentors to the Smart Start students that had graduated to middle school. Modeled on the success of these early pairings, CNS introduced Side by Side to other youth in the St. John neighborhood. We are now serving students from the St. John community that attend Webb Middle School, Regan High School and Lanier High School.

• Halloween 2007

  Several mentors surprised their mentees on Halloween by visiting them at school in costume!

• 3. Christmas 2007

  Smart Start and Side by Side helped the youth of St. John experience the joy of Christmas with the help of our generous church partners.

• Brown Elementary

  Austin Christian Fellowship and Redeemer Presbyterian Church helped Smart Start students at Brown Elementary celebrate the birth of Christ. ACF put on a party and Redeemer supplied Christmas presents.

• Pickle Elementary

  The students at Pickle Elementary celebrated the Christmas season with song and a pageant. Presents were donated by Gateway Community Church.

• Side by Side - Mentor Mixer

  Mentors and Mentees celebrated Christmas through fellowship and fun at Austin Parks and Pizza. Austin Stone Community Church provided presents for each mentor to give to their mentee.

• 4. Pickle Elementary Marquee Garden

  First Evangelical Free Church and The Well Bible Church created a new garden to beautify the marquee area in front of Pickle Elementary School.