Celebrating the BEST partnership between Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church and Yates Primary School are (front, from left) students Madelyn McBrayer, Baraka Ndgwa, Latricia Reed, Yandell Figaro, Harper Hale and Sophia Smith, and (kneeling) Wesley Memorial associate pastor Chris Rouse; (back) Sherry Crye, Chamber coordinator of the BEST partnership program; Carolyn Ingram, Yates Primary School principal; and Wesley Memorial representatives Pastor Ramon Torres, children’s minister Kristi Allen and administrative assistant Amy Mott.
BEST, an acronym for Business & Education Serving Together, is a program of the Cleveland/Bradley Chamber of Commerce that fosters relationships between businesses and selected schools to enhance the quality of life for our community and provide business support for educational programs.
“Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church has been a partner with Yates Primary School for years, and as a church we wanted to take our commitment to the next level and become BEST partners,” Amy Mott, the church’s administrative assistant explained. “We feel that children are our future, and Wesley wants to invest, appreciate and work together with the staff, students and families of Yates to make our community and world a better place.”
Ms. Mott shared that among other activities, Yates students write cards and letters monthly to Wesley shut-ins and provide treats for the church staff at Christmas. “Wesley has provided food for Carolyn Ingram’s retirement party, treats for the teachers and staff, and cards throughout the year,” she said.
In 2016-17 schoolyear, Wesley plans to help with school supplies, fill in for students that do not have someone special for Grandparents Day, Muffins With Mom and Donuts for Dad, read with students, and volunteer when needed.
“This is a wonderful partnership that helps us show the love of Christ to the staff and families of Yates Primary School,” Ms. Mott concluded.
Principal Carolyn Ingram welcomed Wesley Memorial as a BEST partner with the primary school.
“Wesley has been our faith partner for several years, and we have already established a good relationship with them,” Ms. Ingram said, adding, “they have provided some tutors for our children, prepared breakfast for our faculty and staff on in-service days, and sent us goodies on holidays. Many of our children go to church there, and we have teachers who are members. We look forward to continuing this kind of partnership.”
Sherry Crye, Chamber of Commerce coordinator of the BEST partnership program, pointed out that several faith partners are taking their partnerships to the next level.
“We instituted this program 24 years ago as a workforce development initiative to help our local schools do what they do not have the staff or funding to accomplish on their own,” she explained. “However, BEST partnerships are not all about giving money to the schools, although that is often beneficial. They are also about giving time and skills. Several Chamber-member churches are reaching out to schools in our community, demonstrating that they too are ‘good corporate citizens’ and are helping to ensure we have a prepared workforce.”
According to Ms. Crye, most schools in the Bradley County and Cleveland City School Systems have one or more local business partners as part of the BEST program. Private schools that are Chamber members may also participate in the program. “While we have many partnerships in place, we still have schools that need an active partner.”
For information about getting involved in the BEST partnership program, call Crye at 423-472-6587.