Paul's Place

Mission Statement: "To provide a safe, welcoming and nurturing environment to enhance the emotional, intellectual, physical and spiritual lives of the children of St Paul's parish and those residing in near-by neighborhoods, to help them and their families grow into their potential as servants of God's will and citizens of the world.



Paul's Place began in the fall of 2000 as a response to mainly Haitian-American children living in the neighborhood surrounding the church who were in need of a safe haven and homework help.  The vestry, who recognized the need, contributed the seed money, and the program was formalized with the hiring of a full time Director and then a Haitian-American social worker.  Everyday 25 children arrive at 2:15 pm and stay until 7:00 pm.  They receive tutoring, work on social skills, have a nutritional snack and a balanced family-style meal; participate in a variety of extracurricular activities and enjoy an 'earned' Friday field trip.  The families also benefit as they receive home visits provided by our social worker to discuss school-related issues, health matters, insurance, housing and employment.

Since 2000, the school has served more than 100 elementary, middle and high school age children, providing an environment filled with caring mentors who tutor the students and assist with homework to improve academic performance and self confidence.  The goal is to give the students the tools and support they need to stay in school, graduate and go on to college or viable jobs.  To date, over ninety percent of the students have stayed in school.  Of those who have been in the program long enough, ninety five percent have graduated from high school and have either gone on to college or are employed, a reality that would have otherwise been but a dream.

The Director of the program is Kathy Fazio, who volunteered for six years prior to becoming the full time leader in the summer of 2007. Flore Die, who is Haitian, is our licensed social worker who makes visits to the families and to the school councilors.  She has been with the program since 2005 and provides an invaluable link between Paul's Place, the children, their schools and their families.  Denise Copeland, an FAU graduate student, assists on a daily basis and is a very important tutor and mentor.

Volunteers are immensely important to Paul's Place.  They are always welcome and are needed in a wide variety of areas such as mentoring, cooking, driving, and fund raising.  Paul's Place is supported by the church, grants and individual donations.  We are continually looking for new avenues of support.

We are in dire need of anyone who would be able to tutor a kindergartner and some second graders who are behind in their reading skills.  Experience teaching elementary school reading and several hours per week to volunteer would be ideal.  We are also in need of drivers.  We try to plan field trips on Friday afternoons.  We generally travel to parks, pools or the beach.  We leave the after school at 4:00 pm and need to be picked up again at 6:00 pm.  Should you have the time and the interest, please call Kathy Fazio at 561 276 4541.