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Bible club, Sycamore Center precursor going 10 years

By CHRISTOPHER DACANAY 6 min read

STEUBENVILLE -- The Sycamore Youth Center is a mainstay in Steubenville, known for its variety of free summer and after-school programs for children.

Owned by the Ohio Valley Youth Network, a local coalition aimed at creating programs for youth, the Sycamore Center's impact has ballooned in size since moving into its current Fourth Street building six years ago. Now, the center's programs see about 500 kids participating each week, estimates founder and director Bobbyjon Bauman.

The Sycamore Center traces its roots to 2014, with the program that started it all and continues today: The Sonshine Bible Club.

"I started (the club) because I saw a need in the community for something like this to take place after school to reach kids for Christ who might not have an opportunity to hear about him," Bauman said. "A lot of kids in the community don't get to church or Sunday school anymore, and a lot of parents would still like them to hear about God."

Inviting first- through fourth-graders, that original Bible club met in First Westminster Presbyterian Church, just a block down Fourth Street from the Sycamore Center. One study group constituted the club, for whom Bauman would sing religious songs. At Bauman's request, schools began to bus participants to the club after school.

The club has expanded during the years, hitting about 170 participants and splitting into two groups. Even more kids could attend after the move and once the center began providing its own van transportation.

Now, Bauman said, the club has become so popular that it has been broken into three days: East Garfield Elementary School third- and fourth-graders attend Mondays, while the same school's first- and second-graders attend Fridays. All other local elementary school students attend on Tuesdays, resulting in a roughly even distribution -- about 60 kids for each day, Bauman said.

"We've seen an overwhelming response in the community of people who would like to learn about the Bible," Bauman said, noting that kids must have permission and be registered to attend, so presence is voluntary.

Each club meeting has the same general format. Kids who arrive have some time to play before the club begins in the Sycamore Center's sanctuary. The opening period sees Bauman lead participants in songs and teach about Scripture.

The April 15 club meeting had kids reciting John 3:16 and listing the fruits of the spirit and the Ten Commandments. With Bauman leading on guitar, attendees sang songs like "Shake Another Hand," the verses of which encouraged kids to turn to the people next to them and shake their hand, high five and give them a hug; "I've Got Peace Like a River" and "Here I Am to Worship," which the kids requested.

Next, kids were divided into groups to attend different stations for 15-minute intervals -- an Old Testament study group, a New Testament group, a general Bible study and a snack time. Each Bible study leader -- all volunteers -- taught about Scripture with their own unique flavor.

One such leader is Jennifer Krause, who has been leading the Sunshine studies and helping with other Sycamore events for years. Krause leads the Bible study two days a week, in between raising five children of her own.

Krause said leading the study is a perfect marriage between her three passions: Teaching, children, and Christ. The Sycamore Center is truly making a difference in kids' lives, she said, adding, "I've never seen community like I have here,"

The Sonshine Bible Club is what gave rise to the rest of Sycamore's programming, which runs six days a week and accepts first- through 12th-graders, Bauman said, adding that junior high and high school students have their own Bible study on Wednesday and Thursday, respectively. Other unique programs -- everything from martial arts and cooking to art and tumbling -- begin immediately after the day's Bible study, and kids have the option to stay for both or just one.

Renee Thompson, who has been volunteering with the Sycamore Center for six years, teaches the cosmetology class, young entrepreneurs financial literacy class and Whiz Kids Math Class and Reading Skills.

During the math and reading class, Thompson challenges kids to improve their abilities with a candy reward. A popular exercise is Thompson's challenge to recite the alphabet backward, in exchange for a $20 bill. Thompson said the challenge, which multiple participants have accomplished through different methods, is meant to show what they can accomplish if they put in work.

Working with youth has always been her passion, said Thompson, who fondly spoke of being called "the Sycamore lady" by kids who see her in public. Thompson said she enjoys watching the kids grow and become well-rounded through the extra attention they get at Sycamore that they might not get in school or even at home.

The Sycamore Center is a "staple in the community," one that stands for something good and is well-trusted, Thompson said, adding "It's a very safe place for kids to come. They consider this their safe zone."

Michelle Clum, programming director, said the center has an emphasis on character building for kids and providing good role models for them to imitate. The center relies on its volunteers and is always seeking to fill those more of those roles with individuals who love children, have plenty of patience and can share their special talents.

Another volunteer is Cookie West, founder of the nonprofit Lee Alexander West Spiritual Movement, which she created in memory of her late son. Cookie West said she volunteers because having something good for local kids to do is something her son cared deeply about. She added that the security at Sycamore is "an anchor for (kids') souls."

Sycamore is aimed at helping kids on the brink, keeping them from slipping down the wrong path, Bauman said, noting that his original goal with Sonshine was to turn kids' minds toward God.

"I figured that it would take 10 years to turn Steubenville around in terms of spiritually, getting kids more involved and having an interest in scripture, the Bible and God in general," Bauman said. "We're in our 10th year, and it's happened. We've got over 500 kids involved in the program, and it's just been a blessing beyond measure."

On April 15, that blessing began at 2:30 p.m., with Bauman beginning the club in prayer, asking that those present would be filled with virtue and learn from God's word. Bauman concluded his prayer with a call and response.

"And all God's children said."

"Amen," they shouted.

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