What began as a small idea for a Middle School Dress Down Day has reaped big rewards for a Norristown after-school program designed to raise self-esteem and confidence in young girls.

 

On Monday, Malvern Prep presented a check for $600 to St. Augustine’s Academy, an outreach program for girls in grades 1-4 run by the St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church in Norristown.  Middle School students raised the money on Friday, Dec. 2, a day when the boys in grades 6-8 had the campus to themselves as their high school classmates were off campus doing service projects.  The Dress Down Day for St. Augustine’s Academy was the brainchild of Mr. Jamie Wasson, who became involved with the program though his mother, Suzy Wasson, a longtime volunteer.  “I encouraged the boys to contribute, but I told them there was no expectation that they have to contribute anything at all,” said Mr. Wasson. “I told them that I would be thrilled if we raised $200, given that it was also Best Nest crunch time.  When the day arrived, and I counted the money, we had raised $600!  I was overwhelmed with pride for our Middle Schoolers and joy that we could help out the after-school program.  Some boys contributed $20 apiece of their own money.  It was an awesome effort, and one that I am extremely proud of.”

 

St. Augustine’s Academy began in 2008 as an outreach program from St. David’s Episcopal Church.  The Academy is an after-school enrichment program for Norristown girls in grades 1-4.  The Academy has been designed to raise self-esteem and confidence by supplementing student school work and focusing on critical life skills.  Its goal is to create an environment that nurtures secure and healthy girls. The program has one full time social worker and about a dozen volunteers who donate their time and resources to help make the program a success.  The girls go to St. Augustine’s on Mondays and Wednesdays after school from 3:30 until around 5:30 p.m.  They are given an after school meal, sometimes their best meal of the week, then work on homework with the volunteers. 

 

Pictured, student council president Nick Leasure and treasurer Tait McGlinn present the check to Suzy Wasson and program director Gene Kiley.

 

For more information about St. Augustine’s Academy, contact Jamie Wasson at jwasson@malvernprep.org or 484-595-5215.