As a member of Grace Point Church, Karla Neff, who became director of PV (Pequea Valley) elementary advocacy at The Factory Ministries in August 2019, has been involved with The Factory Ministries most of her life. However, she was not planning to work there when she graduated from Pequea Valley High School in 2013 and began studying early childhood education at Liberty University.
During college, Neff spent time doing community development and developing holistic programs in the South Pacific in Fiji. "(I was at) a farm where they taught (people) how to grow things and through that cared for people and had conversations and built relationships," said Neff, who recognized that The Factory Ministries embraced a similar effort in her own Paradise community. After making that connection, Neff was intrigued. "I have always had a passion for that, so coming back and seeing that happen in my own community was really cool," said Neff.
As part of her degree, Neff served as a student teacher in the West Chester area. She also interned at The Factory Ministries before graduating in 2019. "In my internships, I focused on programming for adults and elementary-age children," said Neff, who ran a cooking class for students with guidance on nutrition from Lancaster General Health.
During the internship, a conversation began to occur about whether Neff's work could lead to an advocacy position for Pequea Valley School District (PVSD) elementary school students. The conversation involved Tim Rogers, pastor at Grace Point; Shira Zimmerman, director of advocates with The Factory; PVSD superintendent Eric Orndorff; and assistant superintendent Rich Eby. The position the group created utilizes funding from PVSD, Community Action Program, and The Factory Ministries.
"It's a really unique position," said Neff, who focuses on creating programming and walking alongside elementary learners. As part of the First Ten Initiative, Neff works with children ages 5 to 10. Neff will also work with elementary-age children in families that stay at the Crisis Housing Center, which The Factory recently opened.
Neff has already started an art club, which works with 12 students to create artistic items from recycled materials. "Community members come in to help with the relational side of (the club)," she said, explaining that the program assigns first- through third-grade students one project and fourth- through sixth-grade students a separate project. "We have different projects each week," she said, noting that one of the projects, called a monster mash-up, utilized recycled bottles and egg cartons to make monsters. At the end of the semester, an exhibit of the artwork was held.
Neff also oversees the Strengthening Families program, which is a seven-week research-based program for parents with children ages 10 to 14 funded in part by a Penn Medicine grant. "The program is about showing love and setting limits," said Neff, who noted that the agenda includes dinner for families and then separate presentations about similar material for children and parents. "It's a collaborative (effort) working with social workers and guidance counselors from the school district," said Neff. The next program will hold its graduation ceremony on Thursday, Feb. 20.
Neff is hoping to start a mentorship program to pair students with community members. "That will be the next level of relationship," she said, noting that plans include a pilot program in the spring. "I am passionate about people feeling cared for," said Neff. "Those programs are proven to help with success in school, college, career, and in life."
Readers who would like more information about the programs may call 717-687-9594 and ask for Neff.
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