Tuscaloosa churches reach out to improve city’s schools, homes

Youth and adults from approximately 40 churches representing 15 denominations joined together in early June to work on residences and schools throughout Tuscaloosa as part of Reach Out Tuscaloosa. 
   
The yearly service event, which provides a way for Christians to work together across denominational and racial lines to impact the community and strengthen and encourage local churches, is a project of the Tuscaloosa Prayer Network, an interdenominational group of pastors and ministry leaders, and the Tuscaloosa Area Youth Ministers’ Association.
   
William Scroggins, director of the prayer network, coordinates the logistics and details of the project. Scroggins said the organizers of the project, now in its fourth year, believe that “all who call on the name of the Lord are one body and one church,” and the community needs to see Christians working together to make the community a better place to live.
   
Approximately 225 youth and adult workers began the project with several days of work on six private residences. They repaired roofs, painted and cleaned, as well as held backyard Bible clubs for neighborhood children.
   
Putting shingles on a roof was a new experience for Laura Kathryn Murphy, a high school sophomore, but it was one she enjoyed immensely. Murphy said being part of Reach Out Tuscaloosa was a valuable experience because she knew she was helping others and making a difference. 
   
Although only one of Murphy’s close friends participated with her, she enjoyed getting to know many younger girls who worked alongside her. 
   
After hearing about her experience, many of Murphy’s friends are making plans to volunteer next year.
   
More than 450 adults joined the second phase of the project, working on eight schools, and this year, for the first time, adults also worked on a Habitat for Humanity house.
   
In addition to painting and cleaning the schools, volunteers built a wall of cabinet cubbies in one classroom, a wheelchair ramp for a special-needs class and replaced a worn-out rug with a tile floor in another room. 
   
At one school, a carpenter built eight picnic tables for the outdoor playground. 
   
According to Scroggins, the churches are uniting to provide a greater quality of life for school children in their community, believing that a clean, attractive environment contributes to a better self-concept and learning environment. 
   
He said that just as Jesus blessed the children, Reach Out Tuscaloosa endeavors to bless children by improving the physical environment of their schools.
   
Jerry Lake, a member of First Baptist Church, Tuscaloosa, who participated in the event, said Reach Out Tuscaloosa is an outstanding way for Christians in Tuscaloosa to come together to demonstrate their faith in a “nuts and bolts” way. 
   
Lake said the volunteers provided services and made improvements to the schools that probably would not get done otherwise. Funding for the projects comes from local business people and churches. 
   
Several vendors also provide large discounts or sometimes donate lumber and other supplies. These donations and contributions, along with the workers who volunteer their time, make it possible to provide the services with no cost to the schools.