SPRING 2010
 The Wade Center recently held a community baby shower to celebrate the upcoming opening of its daycare center, Dorothy's Door.
The new center is designed to offer teen mothers a safe haven for their children, allowing the young moms to stay in school. Locals from the Bluefield area and beyond helped Wade celebrate the daycare center by bringing gifts, including, infant blankets, diapers, bottles, high chairs, and cleaning supplies.
The baby shower hosted some 50 guests, including Bluefield, W.Va., Mayor Linda Whalen and a group of employees from Wal-Mart in Bluefield, Va. The Wal-Mart employees brought numerous gifts such as diapers, wipes, and toddler toys to help support the Wade Center’s efforts to create a caring and developmentally appropriate environment for the children.
WINTER 2009
 Santa greeted the Wade Center's after-school students in a recent party sponsored by the Beta Club.
The children enjoyed a pizza party up until the arrival of the surprise guest. Jingle bells filled the Wade Café as Santa Claus entered and took his seat by one of the Christmas trees and listened as children began to make their last minute gift requests.
The night continued with a raffle drawing of a flat screen television and two large gift baskets, followed by a performance by local band Flight 24. The Beta Club also brought gifts for the children of the parents who participated in Wade's Christmas Club.
A service club at Bluefield High School is making a difference at Wade. The students are part of Rachel’s Challenge, a national organization formed in memory of Rachel Scott, the first victim of the Columbine High School shootings. As part of a national coat drive, students from schools all around the country are collecting coats to give to those in need.
Locally, the Bluefield High School group donated the first coats they received to the Wade Center. Club members include Alex Smith, Rachel Goforth, Caroline Merrott, Alicia Grant, Morgan Ingole, Claire Litton, Jennie Bailey and Kelsey Sowder.
FALL 2009
 Almost 100 golfers participated in the 2009 Friends of Coal Golf Classic, which was held in conjunction with the Bluefield Coal Show on Sept. 15. All of the participants were connected to the coal industry and used the tournament to relax and entertain customers.
However, tournament chairpersons Jay Johnson and Cathy Buzzo said that while the golfers were having fun, they were also raising money for a good cause.
Buzzo said, "I would like to thank the Friends of Coal for allowing us to have this tournament to raise $20,000 for The Wade Center. Fincastle Country Club did an outstanding job hosting this year’s event. Most importantly, I want to thank all of the companies and individuals who participated, and I hope to see them again in 2011."
SUMMER 2009
Over 125 children participated in Wade's Super Summer Camp! In addition to on-site events, we also treated our students to several pool parties at Harmony Acres, a hike in the Bluefield City Park, a trip to a Bluefield Orioles game and the opportunity to participate in the soccer and basketball camps offered by Bluefield College.
Students spent at least three hours each day in the classrooms, rotating through opportunities to learn math and science. In addition, we provided a creative way for students to memorize Scripture and learn the truth of God's Word through Extreme Bible Challenges. The students from Concord College's Masters Degree program in Education came every day for three weeks to work on literacy education, and teens from 19 churches from all over the eastern United States supplemented our own very capable camp staff and helped lead daily activities. These groups came to participate in Wade's summer mission program, combining work in our community with Bible study and Christian fellowship. The groups made repairs to 13 different homes, volunteered at the Union Mission and treated local nursing homes to special programs. In addition, our camp children made many new friends from all over the country.
SPRING 2009
Students in Bluefield State College's computer science program have created a customized software solution for the Wade Center as part of their classroom experience. After six months of systems analysis and software development, a student team unveiled new software designed to help Wade track attendance at its worship service. This effort was led by three senior computer science majors: Josh Baker (Project Manager), Lee Whiteker (Lead Programmer), and Larissa Crews (Documentation and Support). The turn-key system is completely customized to our needs and saves us the money of having to purchase an expensive software package like ACS. The students used Visual Basic 2008 coupled to a SQL Server Database.
Also, this spring, Wade received a grant from the Youthworks! Foundation, which allowed us to begin Second Chance Enterprises. We have hired Adam Ripley to direct this new ministry, with the goal of open several service businesses to generate funds for the Wade Center and to hire those who need a second chance at employment. Participants in this program will be paid for their work and leave with references, a good job history and many new job skills. Life skills and financial skills training are also a key part of the program.
WINTER 2009
In February, 2009, our after-school staff planned a month of special activities to celebrate Black History Month, including a visit from the son of Carl Brashear. Carl's life was immortalized in the movie Men of Honor, which starred Cuba Gooding, Jr. Carl was the first African American to graduate from the Diving & Salvage School and become a U.S. Navy Master Diver. He lost a leg, but that did not stop his drive to succeed. Carl also became the first amputee diver to be certified as a Navy diver.
Carl's son, Phillip, now speaks regularly about his father's heroic life. Dozens of our students listened attentively about the importance of striving toward important goals in your life. Everyone also received a T-shirt printed with Carl's favorite slogan, "It's not a sin to get knocked down. It's a sin to stay down."
 This winter, we also handed out hundreds of free shoes to our after-school students. Many come from impoverished homes and are unable to buy shoes regularly. This program was a ministry of Soles4Souls, a nonprofit organization that provided 200 new pairs of athletic shoes to give away. Some of the shoes came from Mary Williams, who hosted a shoe drive in North Carolina to benefit the children of Bluefield, W.Va. She did this in memory of her father, who passed away last summer. She said that knowing she was helping children in a tangible way helped ease her grief over her father's death. We also gave away coats that were bought with a donation from Sgt. Booth in Iraq. He used some of his re-enlistment money to buy coats for children in need.
Lastly, The Wade Center made an addition to the facility with a mini-van donated by Dr. Gabe at the Center for Cancer Care in Princeton, W.Va. This is the second van the center has donated to the Wade program, and it will be used primarily for the Wade’s Catering Service.
2008 YEAR IN REVIEW
- Our after-school program, “Believe and Achieve,” continues to grow. Area educators report a vast improvement in our students’ behavior. Since we monitor report cards, we know that grades are improving. We are very excited to announce that every student who has been enrolled in our after-school program for two years is now reading on grade level!
- Wade’s Super Summer Camps were filled to capacity! Students spent three hours a day in the classroom keeping their study skills strong while enjoying an afternoon full of games and activities.
- Our first summer of hosting mission teams was a great success, with 11 church groups from as far away as Alabama and Ohio living in our facility. They worked throughout the community completing home repair projects for people in need and helped with our summer camp program. Most of these groups have already signed up to return in 2009.
- Wildfire, one of our first programs designed for high school students, has grown like… well, wildfire! Over 60 students now gather for a time of music, teaching and fellowship.
- A grant from the Hugh I. Shott, Jr., Foundation provided funds to renovate our auditorium. As a result, our after-school students have been treated to concerts and/or presentations from Chris Sligh, Bluefield College’s choirs, Re:Creations, Inhabited, the Drop In Rock Out Tour, J. Fraze and Hudson.
- A grant from the Finish Line sports apparel company provided the funds to upgrade our outdoor basketball courts. AEP installed outdoor lighting for us, so this summer, weekends should be filled with outdoor basketball events.
- The City of Bluefield has made funds available from a state grant they’ve received to prepare part of our parking area for a skateboard park. With the help of the Downtown Merchant’s Association, we hope to be able to build a first-class skate park by spring.
- Thanks to the generosity of Cole Chevrolet, our kitchen facilities now allow us to serve hot, well-balanced meals to all of our children. We have begun a catering business as well, hoping to generate funds for the Wade Center while providing a service to our community.
- A grant from Youthworks! will allow us to begin Second Chance Enterprises in January. Those who direct this innovative program will open several service businesses to generate funds for the Wade Center and hire those who need a second chance at employment. A new welding/machinist training program is also in the works for the new year.
Early in 2008, Wade also received a major kitchen renovation, thanks to Cole Chevrolet. This doubled the amount of kitchen space and enabled kitchen staff to more quickly get food to children at Wade’s after-school program.
Cole Chevy paid for everything – new paint, new countertops, new floor tiles and new appliances – as well as providing all the labor needed free of charge.
Most of the work was done by Cole Chevrolet employees, who volunteer their time after work each day. Chuck McGonagle, owner of McGonagle Home Improvements, is volunteering his time to serve as the project manager.
This renovation also made it possible to receive USDA funding to cover Wade’s food expenses. “We serve hundreds of free meals every week as part of our after-school and summer camp programs,” Checchio said. “It will be a huge help to receive USDA reimbursement for those meals.”
DECEMBER 2007
On Dec. 13, the millions of viewers who tune in to Dr. Phil will be introduced to the Wade Center.
The first gift Dr. Phil gave was all the instruments we need to start a new music program. Fender donated 20 acoustic guitars and 20 electric guitars. Casio donated six keyboards. We also received all the instrument stands, music stands and music books we need to start offering lessons.
Dr. Phil's next stop was our gym, where about 80 of our after-school students waited with great anticipation. Kicking off this year's Toys For Tots program, Dr. Phil and his wife Robin handed out some great Christmas gifts!
Later that day, at a larger public ceremony downtown, we learned that the Renuzit corporation had donated a 2008 Chevy van to us, along with a check for $5,000 to help with van-related expenses. This van will be used, along with our other vans, to help transport students to and from the Wade Center, as well as to special field trips.
Finally, during the train ride to his second stop, Dr. Phil told Wade's executive director, Brian Checchio, that Wade had won a $25,000 Norfolk Southern grant. This money will be used as we continue to expand our after-school program.
You can see more pictures from Dr. Phil's visit on our DR. PHIL NEWS PAGE.
NOVEMBER 2007
Local individuals and business have offered a great deal of help at Wade this fall. Here is a brief summary. We are so thankful for your generosity!
- Dr. Charles E. Gabe gave the Wade Center a 2000 Chrysler mini-van. We use the van for short in-town trips.
- Steve Sarver donated free tennis lessons at the
Sedgewood Courts to our summer camp students.
- Philip Morris returned again, with over 30 employees to help us improve our facility.
- Johnston Chapel adopted our music room, preparing it for use in our extended after-school program.
- Cole Chevrolet sponsored a swimming part at the Elks Club at the end of summer.
- K.B. Toys is asking customers if they would like to make a donation to the Wade Center. They have given us a $300 gift certificate we can use to buy toys from their store!
- Kollege Mart and Smoker Friendly are also asking customers to consider making a donation to the Wade Center.
OCTOBER 2007
We have begun offering a newly expanded diversion program for students who find themselves in trouble with the law. The program focuses on character development, self-esteem expansion and behavioral modification through weekly meetings and mentoring relationships. Also new this year is a program for parents that will reward their efforts to learn practical parenting and household skills.
We are also increasing our focus on literacy. With the help of a full-time AmeriCorps volunteer and partnerships with Bluefield State College and Bluefield College Phi Beta Lambda, we are now able to focus more attention on those who need help improving their reading skills.
SEPTEMBER 2007
Our after-school program has expanded, lasting until 8 p.m. Called “Believe and Achieve,” this program is designed to help children and teens discover their skills and talents. We hope this will foster a healthy sense of identity and provide a source of inspiration and hope as they look toward their future. We will offer homework help and recreation, followed by a family-style dinner and workshops in the evening.
Each day has a different focus. On Mondays, each student will choose a club activity designed to build confidence and self-esteem as they are given opportunity to develop skills in basketball, tennis, art, music and more. Tuesday, we focus on skills development. On Wednesdays, we incorporate a spiritual component with a Bible focus. And Thursday evenings are dedicated to the literacy component through book clubs.
AUGUST 2007
 Wade's middle school students recently engaged in service projects, and the results were incredible. They helped prepare food that will feed over 6,700 Sudanese refugees through their volunteer work at Heaven Sent Ministries. They also helped clothe 1,800 local residents, Katrina victims and third world families through their work with the Bluefield Union Mission and other local agencies!
Not only did they make an impact on the world, but they were also impacted by what they were able to accomplish as a group. We were able to witness them bloom and grow throughout the course of the service activities as they began to see themselves as world changers instead of teen statistics.
This summer, YouthWorks! selected the Wade Center as their home base for the region. Mission groups from all over the country came to Bluefield and live on our ground floor for a week while completing community improvement projects. In addition, we had three mission teams that lived on our top floor this summer as well.
JULY 2007
Summer camps were filled to capacity this year. We focused on interactive learning this year, with students studying math, science and language arts in exciting ways! We have developed a great approach that emphasizes learning through experience! This means students learn about math by being city planner, science by being astronauts and language arts by becoming journalists right there in their classrooms!
We recently received the good news that both Wal-Mart and the Allstate Foundation have awarded us grants. This money will be used to help us pay for summer camp and expand our after-school program in the fall.
JUNE 2007
For The Love Of Children recently presented a check for $10,000 to the Wade Center, following its fundraiser with MSNBC Correspondent and West Virginia native Jeanette Walls.
MAY 2007
Thanks to Advanced Network Systems, we now have an additional layer of protection for our computer network. They donated a Firebox firewall to Wade, along with a $1,000 check. This piece of hardware will supplement our current software to provide content filtering and intrusion prevention.
APRIL 2007
Two local businesses have also helped by paying their employees to work at the Wade Center a few hours each week. EchoStar began doing this last year, and First Community Bank recent joined in.
Program administrator Vicki Mahood says, "To me, it is amazing that these businesses are that community minded. That they would stress to their employees the importance of community service and even include it in their workday -- that says a lot about these companies. They put actions behind their words."
Executive Director Brian Checchio says, "We're dependent upon the generosity of people in our community, both in financial contributions and in the gift of their time, so we're particularly thrilled that these two respected businesses in our community have chosen to help us in this way."
MARCH 2007
We recently received a donation of 15 computers from the federal government. Almost two years ago, when we were still moving into the facility, we wrote the General Services Administration after hearing that they give away their old computers to nonprofit organizations. We never heard anything back until we received a phone call this January.
Brian made a quick road trip up to Washington, D.C., to pick up the new computers. Their specs are impressive! They are Dell Optiplex desktops with Pentium IV 1.7GHz and 2.4 GHz processors. They have DVD/CD-R combo drives, 512 MB memory and flat panel monitors! We have already put most of them to use in our adult computer classes and are in the process of integrating the rest into our network of office computers.
FEBRUARY 2007
The Wade Center recently received a $14,300 grant from YouthWorks! This money is being used to repair our gym floor and make many other improvements to that space.
YouthWorks is the national organization that sends about 700 people to the Wade Center each summer for 10 weeks of mission work. These teenagers work with our summer camps, help at the Union Mission and complete many community improvement projects.
We will need lots of help this summer. If you are interested in being one of our recreation team leaders, please call or e-mail us using the contact information at the bottom of each page on this Web site.
JANUARY 2007
We are planning to begin several new programs for this year if funding allows. We have found many of the students in our after-school program need more help with their reading skills than that limited time allows. In 2007, we hope to create a program in the evenings for these children that will target their literacy needs.
We also hope to start "Second Chance Enterprise" in 2007 if funding allows. Our goal is to help men and women returning from prison to find jobs, and by doing so, avoid entering the cycle of crime and violence again. This program will help recently incarcerated individuals learn skills, develop a resume, establish a work history and secure job references. Statistics show that re-arrest rates are higher for those who do not have a high school diploma or job training, with one in four returning to prison. Those involved with this new program would be hired to for jobs involving auto detailing, lawn care, pressure washing and other similar tasks for three to four months. Wade would then provide them with references and other aids in finding permanent employment.
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