Inner City Youth Ministry in San Antonio is in Urgent Need of Volunteers

Published: September 9, 2024 at 5:01 AM | Updated: September 9, 2024 at 7:51 AM

San Antonio’s Harper’s Chapel Ministries Outreach Urges Community Support

In the heart of San Antonio’s West Side, a beacon of hope and goodwill struggles to keep its light burning bright. Harper’s Chapel Ministries, a youth ministry focused on assisting some of the city’s most underprivileged youths in the 78207 community, has put out a call for volunteers to support its outreach programs.

The ministry, based just a block away from Lincoln Heights Courts, serves one of the most impoverished areas in San Antonio. It began its outreach in response to the pressing need for after-school enrichment programs and reading tutoring, which steadily gained traction amongst the youth in the locality.

The Ministry’s Impact and Need for Assistance

A year ago, Hanna Zertuche, a full-time staff member coordinating volunteers and programs at Harper’s Chapel, stepped in, recognizing the urgent need for help. “I love these kids more than anything. And, I love them as if they are my own,” shared Zertuche, who noted that the afterschool program, which catered to a handful of children when she joined, has since grown to serve approximately 40 youths.

Although the community support has been steady, there is a critical need for more volunteers to cater to the growing number of participants in the program. “There’s a ministry in presence, being invested in our children’s lives. Telling them, ‘How is your day?’ or ‘How can I help you?’ That is probably what we need the most – mentorship and people who are willing to just love on our kids,” Zertuche said.

How Can You Help?

The ministry is reaching out to retirees, counselors, and college students who might need volunteer hours or are looking for exposure in working with programs that serve the inner city. Volunteers are welcomed and encouraged to get in touch via the Harper’s Chapel Ministries website (www.harperscbc.com) or to donate directly to the cause. There is also an Amazon Wish List for after-school supplies, accessible here.

Another way to support the ministry is through participation in this year’s The Big Give SA, which runs from September 11 to 18. It’s a community-wide giving challenge to support local non-profits through donations.

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