San Antonio Community Resource Directory

Based on a model founded in 1998 in Dallas, Texas, Project Transformation Rio Texas launched in 2015 to address three unique challenges with one program: 1) how to meet the academic, physical, social-emotional, and spiritual needs of children from low-income communities, 2) how to provide meaningful ways for college-age young adults to explore ministry opportunities and develop as young principled leaders for the church and the world; and 3) how to help revitalize churches in underserved communities.

Project Transformation’s collaborative model of ministry harnesses the creative energy and leadership of college-age young adults who live in intentional Christian community and lead summer and after-school programs for children in various underserved neighborhoods. Each week, interns meet with church and nonprofit leaders to explore various ministry-related vocations and spend time discerning their vocational call to life-long service. The programs are held at United Methodist churches located in the heart of low-income neighborhoods, thereby helping those churches connect in meaningful ways with their communities. Dozens of other churches and organizations throughout southwest Texas partner together to support this work, investing in young lives with their time and resources.

Elementary students from low-income families receive tutoring and mentorship from college-student interns.

Monday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Tuesday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Wednesday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Thursday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Friday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Saturday: CLOSED Sunday: CLOSED
Kercida McClain - Executive Director Send email
Kaci Boylan - Program Director
Online and Virtual Assistance

Project Transformation’s after-school Reading Buddies serves children grades K-5 in all three geographies. Project Transformation Rio Texas (PT) is committed to supporting children in their love of reading and academic growth. Reading Allstars virtual sessions for K-5 take place on Zoom. Families choose one 30-minute session for their child to participate in weekly. Once registered, Project Transformation will send the Zoom information to each family, and the Zoom information will be the same for every session. During Reading Allstars virtual sessions volunteers listen to participants read, ask questions, and offer strategies for reading help. Volunteers and the PT staff work to help participants maintain or improve their reading level and love of literacy throughout the school year.

 

Elementary students of low-income families.

The Reading Allstars virtual program runs from September 2023 through May 2024.

Free.

Tuesdays and Thursdays 4:30 PM - 5:30 PM
Meg Myers Send email
Updated within the last 1 month.

Partnering with Project Transformation to host programming for children can help re-anchor your congregation in your neighborhood.

Through this partnership, site churches are empowered to better cultivate two key traits of discipleship: radical hospitality and active listening.

Site churches are trained each year in best practices for leveraging the program by one another and Project Transformation. First and foremost, church members and staff are able to display radical hospitality as they greet children and their families, lead chapel services during programming each week, invite families to worship, and plan and attend Family Fun Night events with the young adults. Beyond this, the site church also enters, with more resources, a relationship of active listening in order to better learn and understand the community’s needs and assets.

Churches in or near high-need areas.

Monday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Tuesday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Wednesday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Thursday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Friday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Saturday: CLOSED Sunday: CLOSED
Sharla Bell Send email
Updated within the last 1 month.
Notice

Registration is now open for summer camp!

Project Transformation operates eight-week summer day camps serving children grades 1-6 in two high-need neighborhoods in San Antonio and two in the Rio Grande Valley.

The focus is on improving literacy and social-emotional development. Each day, children read one-on-one with community volunteers and participate in activity-based literacy intervention. Children also participate in daily enrichment activities including recreational play and exercise, creative arts, and interaction with our young adult interns and community volunteers, who inspire and encourage children daily to make responsible, sound decisions.

Elementary students from low-income families.

Eight weeks of day camp in the summer at churches in San Antonio and in the Valley.
Updated within the last 1 month.

Project Transformation’s faith-based Summer of Service Experience for young adults offers hands-on opportunities to build mutually enriching relationships with children in low socioeconomic areas, live in intentional community, and explore various careers in ministry and service.
Committing to Project Transformation Rio Texas is more than accepting a summer job, it is embracing a transformational experience. The expectations are great, but the potential for personal rewards that come from this kind of commitment are even greater. While much is expected of each intern, much is given in return—love from the kids, fun and support from living in community, and the energy created by exploring your personal potential to impact the world around you.

Applicants must have completed one year of college or be at least 19 years old, and must have the legal right to work in the U.S.

Are you up for this? PT is for you if:

  • You are a highly motivated self-starter
  • You believe in the power of diversity and open-mindedness
  • You love God and neighbor above all else
  • You believe in hearing others' stories, owning your own story, and living beyond comfort zones
  • You believe in the silliness of childhood, creativity, smiles, and that "they are all our children."
  • Applicants apply online. A professional resume and contact information for 3 references are required for application completion.

Program consist of training, CPR Classes and 8 weeks of Day Camp.

Compensation: $3,300 potential earnings. 

Michael Lambert Send email
(210) 408-4500
Updated within the last 1 month.

Volunteer Opportunities:

  • Reading Buddies
  • Meal Volunteers
  • Reading Testers

The opportunities to get involved are limited only by your interests!

Contact Sharla Bell, CEO,  if there are other ways you might be interested in volunteering your time with our kids that you didn’t see above via [email protected]. We’ll look forward to hearing from you.

Monday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Tuesday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Wednesday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Thursday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Friday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Saturday: CLOSED Sunday: CLOSED
Meg Mayers
(210) 538-5019
Sharla Bell
(210) 538-5019
Updated within the last 1 month.