Wheaton ministry helps students learn about work. faith

If you’ve seen a child nestled on a grandparent’s lap as they share stories, you know how valuable that time can be for both generations.

In its own cozy way, it’s educational as the child and adult learn about each other’s lives and the grown-up relays some life wisdom that puts a story in context.

A children’s ministry founded about a year ago seeks to develop intergenerational connections as a way for students to learn about the working world and how they’ll fit into it some day.

Time Well Spent offers a series of workshops for ages 9 to 15. Each is led by an older person — some are retired, others are not — who talks about his career, leads participants in a related hands-on activity and discusses how faith or values influenced his life and work choices.

While originally launched as a way to enhance home schooling education, TWS enrollment is open to all students interested in exploring careers. Registration for spring programs is under way at timewellspenttws.org, and a workshop offered Wednesday and Thursday, Jan. 19 and 20, invites families to sample the program.

Time Well Spent Co-Director Lenore Backode tells us more about the ministry.

Q. What’s the mission of Time Well Spent?

A. Our vision is to create a Christ-centered educational community comprising children who love to learn, the families who support their enthusiasm for exploration, and professionals from all walks of life who are passionate about what they do.

We strive to provide a forum for professionals to share their knowledge about a particular career or industry and the wisdom they have gained through their life and career experiences.

Our hope is this unique environment will foster intergenerational discussions about different careers and how one’s faith in Jesus Christ can be exemplified in the workplace and throughout our daily lives. We also hope that through these interactions and discussions our children will begin to recognize their talents and passions so that they can use them to glorify God.

Our values continually guide our development of the TWS program. At TWS we value:

Ÿ Investing our time and resources to educate children;

Ÿ Encouraging the sharing of knowledge and wisdom among generations;

Ÿ Acknowledging that we are image bearers of Christ in every area of our lives;

Ÿ Recognizing and developing God-given talents;

Ÿ Embracing the blessings of hard work;

Ÿ Learning through hands-on activities.

Q. How do you work toward accomplishing your goals?

A. We are currently implementing our vision and values by offering workshops featuring professionals from a variety of industries. Each workshop leader is encouraged to share stories from their life, talk about their career path and faith journey, and teach the children practical applications of the facts and ideas presented through hands-on activities.

We believe these workshops present an incredible opportunity for professionals to invest in the lives of the next generation while the children are blessed to learn first hand from these seasoned professionals that who you are is more important than what you do.

Q. Who do you serve?

A. TWS Workshops are designed for students ages 9 to 15 who enjoy hands-on learning in a small group setting.

TWS Workshops meet in Wheaton and students come from throughout the Western suburbs.

Q. When and why did the organization start? How has it grown?

A. I have background working with statistics and test development and have worked with organizations that develop instruments to help professionals learn where they are best suited within an organization.

In addition to my former professional experience, my husband and I home-school our two children. About a year ago, I found myself in a conversation with a family who was interested in why we choose to home-school. I found myself sharing with this couple the many advantages we’ve come to love — one of which is the unique opportunity to learn from those of another generation (very different from a traditional setting).

Later, after recalling this conversation in my head, I realized that while this was true, we really were not fully taking advantage of this wonderful opportunity. So I started to seek out quality local professionals who were willing to share with my kids about what they do and why. My father, Len Catalano, was our first workshop leader. His background is in life insurance and finance, and he taught our first group of kids all about money, what it is, what we can and must do with it and why.

Like many times in life, from this situation — or should I say, lack of opportunity — an idea began to develop and from this, a not-for-profit ministry was born. While home schooling remains my first and most important responsibility and passion, I do greatly enjoy the opportunity to bless others in this way.

Our organization has grown from a few home-schooled children participating to it being open to all school aged children between ages 9 and 15. The program has really developed most recently due to the time, talent and vision of my two co-directors, Maureen Dominguez and Erica Rinde.

Time Well Spent started in January, 2010.

Q. What kind of successes have you had?

A. There are many things this ministry brings to those who are involved. The most successful situations are those in which involvement in TWS has been a blessing to both the student and the leaders.

Q. What challenges does TWS currently face?

A. Our biggest challenge is getting the word out. We are a small ministry run by volunteers and funded primarily by the tuition that our students pay to attend the workshops. To keep our costs and, similarly, tuition low, we primarily advertise by e-mail and word-of-mouth. If we had sponsors willing to supplement our budget, we most likely would put those extra funds toward marketing and advertising to allow us to reach more students.

Q. What do you wish the community at large knew about the ministry?

A. What a wonderful and unique opportunity it is for children and older professionals to come together and learn through this forum that each group has something special to share with the other.

Also, the families who attend this program are there to learn. While the environment is casual, the children attending are engaged, outspoken, respectful and eager to learn from the workshop leaders who are there to share their knowledge.

Q. How can readers get involved?

A. If you have a passion for sharing what you do and how you live a life of faith, please contact us through our website to become a TWS workshop leader. If you have a child or know of a family/child who might enjoy being a part of the program, please forward our website to them.

Supporters willing to fund a part of our small budget are always welcome, and we are always seeking people willing to sponsor scholarships for families who would like to participate but are struggling financially.

For information, call (630) 926-3110, e-mail info@timewellspenttws.org or visit timewellspenttws.org.

If you go

What: Time Well Spent workshops

Why: To introduce children to the hands-on workshop program

When: 1 to 3 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 19; 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 20

Where: Hope Presbyterian Church, 1771 S. Wiesbrook Road, Wheaton

Cost: $5 per students; parents may attend for free

Details: Workshop leader Kevin C. Maki, president and chief science officer of Provident Clinical Research and Consulting, will discuss using hypotheses and statistics and help students conduct surveys and analyze the data

Info: timewellspenttws.org