Q&A. Frequently Asked Questions. Sponsorship Program

Transcription

1 Q&A Frequently Asked Questions Sponsorship Program

2 WHY SPONSOR Why does Rehoboth Christian School have a Sponsorship Program? Rehoboth Christian School was founded in 1903 as a ministry to the Native American people of the Four Corners region. Today, Rehoboth continues its ministry through education with multiculturalism as a backdrop, serving approximately 70% Native American students, 20% Anglo students, and 10% students of Hispanic descent and other ethnic minorities. Rehoboth is committed to making sure Christian education is both accessible and affordable for its families. With nearly 70 percent of its students receiving tuition assistance and with the rising cost of education in general, Rehoboth must raise a significant amount every year for its annual needs. With a current tuition cost of $7,961 and half the households in McKinley County earning less than $31,335 per year, it would cost families almost 25% of their annual income to send a single child to Rehoboth. And, in addition to widespread school failure in Gallup-McKinley County, violence, poverty, substance abuse and suicide rates make home life for children a continuous struggle as well. While 51% of Rehoboth Christian School students live in poverty, RCS consistently sends over 90% of its students to colleges and universities. We are very grateful for our many partners individuals, churches, businesses and foundations who bless us with their gifts year after year, sustaining and growing the work that was begun so many years ago.

3 A CHILD? How does my support actually benefit my child? The Opportunity to Receive a Christian Education There is a significant gap between the cost of education and what Rehoboth parents can afford to pay for tuition. The Sponsorship Program helps provide tuition assistance for families who desire a Christian Education for their children but cannot afford the full cost of tuition. Your support through the Sponsorship Program provides assistance for tuition, the cost of classroom supplies, transportation and teacher s salaries. Because of Rehoboth Christian School, thousands of Navajo and Zuni students are receiving a top notch education and are provided opportunities to learn and grow through our unique programming and dedicated teachers. The Opportunity for a Relationship Based on Christ-centered Love and Christian Encouragement Where would you expect to find devastation of poverty, alcoholism, unemployment, gang violence and teen suicide? Africa? Asia? South America? Here in the Four Corners of the United States, these devastations hide in unexpected places. Your child is in need of emotional support, Christ-centered love, and encouragement. Your prayers for the safety, education and spiritual development are critical. Sponsored students greatly value your prayers, and delight in the partnership our school has had with its supporters for over 110 years.

4 COMMUNICATIO How can I communicate with the child I sponsor? Our Sponsorship Program is heavily based on partnership, so we hope you will correspond through letters or s to your student throughout the school year. All mail and should be sent to the school through the Advancement Office. The Advancement Office will not give your student and their family your mailing address or phone number without your verbal consent. We require all correspondences from both sponsor and student to be processed through the Advancement Office for the safety and security of both parties. Sending your sponsored student a photograph of you and your family and a short letter of introduction helps your student get to know you. You will be provided with a card at the beginning of each school year, and we encourage you to write to your student at least two times a year. If you prefer you can send your student an through our website, May I send gifts to my child? Rehoboth Christian School encourages sponsors to support their students in various ways, which includes gifts for special occasions such as birthdays, holidays, or graduation. Gift Suggestions: Money - cash preferred as some families don t have checking accounts or accessible ways to cash a check. If you would prefer to send a check, please contact the Advancement Office at Gift Card - Walmart, JCPenny s, Visa gift cards Age appropriate toys that foster creativity and promote education. Please limit food, candy, and beverages.

5 N Will my child write to me? You will hear from your child throughout the school year. As a sponsor you will receive a photo and personal profile of your student to help you direct your love and prayers. Your student will write to you twice during the school year, and you will be updated on his or her progress. What are online webprofiles? We are excited to announce that the Sponsorship Program will be on our school s website. Each student will have a webpage which will include updated information on their academic and personal lives and pictures from the school year. You can access your students profile by typing FirstnameLastname in your address bar of your web browser. Can I visit my child? Yes! If you are in the area, please stop by. It is a wonderful opportunity for you to meet your student face to face and further develop your relationship. We do ask that you call the Advancement Office at to let us know when you are going to be stopping by. All visits should be conducted during the school day and will be monitored by a member of the Advancement Office. If you wish to meet your students family, please call the Advancement Office to make the arrangements. Lodging is available on campus. If you are interested, please contact our Campus Hostess at

6 THE INVESTMEN How much does it cost to sponsor a child? For just $300, $500, $750, $1,000, or $1,500 or greater annually you can sponsor a Rehoboth student. Pledges must be confirmed annually. Our fiscal year begins in July and ends in June of the following year. All pledges must be completed by the end of the fiscal year. Rehoboth Christian School is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization and you will receive a gift receipt in the mail for your gift. How long will my sponsorship last? Our Rehoboth Sponsorship Program operates on an annual basis. We ask that all sponsors recommit their pledge before September of the current school year. We will do our best to keep you matched with your current student. However, if your student no longer qualifies for the Sponsorship Program or if your student leaves Rehoboth Christian School, you will be notified and reassigned to a new student. Often pledges are completed early. Any additional gifts beyond your sponsorship pledge will be allotted to our Annual Fund unless specified otherwise. Pledges that are set up on EFT will still be deducted monthly for the Sponsorship Program.

7 T What are the preferred payment methods? Credit Card -- credit card information can be written on any of our return envelopes and mailed to Rehoboth Christian School, PO Box 41, Rehoboth, NM You can also call any member of the Advancement Office at , and we can take your information over the phone. We do not store any credit card information in our database. Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) -- provides for electronic payments and collections. EFT is safe, secure, efficient, and less expensive than paper check payments and collections. Monthly payments can be automatically withdrawn from your checking account with this convenient method. Please print and complete the EFT Check form online at and mail to Rehoboth Christian School, c/o Advancement Office, PO Box 41, Rehoboth, NM Checks -- can be mailed to Rehoboth Christian School, PO Box 41, Rehoboth, NM Please be sure to include Sponsorship Program in the memo so we can account your gift accordingly. Cash -- can be mailed to Rehoboth Christian School, PO Box 41, Rehoboth, NM Please be sure to include Sponsorship Program and your contact information so we can account your gift accordingly. PayPal -- enables any individual or business with an address to securely, easily and quickly send and receive payments online.

8 Mission Statement Rehoboth Christian School challenges its students to know the Triune God and equips them to love, serve, and transform the world in His name. PO Box 41, Rehoboth, NM (505)