Building Relationships with Children

Beyond Our Walls (BOWs) was started by its Founder, Joyce Maybin Nesmith, her family, and friends. This grassroots non-profit has grown from volunteers at Title I Schools to a year-round place where school children come to do their homework, complete school projects, participate in indoor and outdoor activities, and enjoy healthy snacks, including fruits and vegetables daily, Monday -Friday. This is a place where volunteers can serve to help support the future of children living in neighboring communities. Our services are free of charge to families with children qualified to receive free or reduced lunches at school. There are priceless relationships built across generations and the boundaries of neighborhoods. Every child deserves caring adults in their lives, a safe place to gather, access to healthy food, a place that provides resources to support an effective educational experience, and a place to see volunteers giving back and demonstrating a "heart of service" to others.