Children Of Light-In The Beginning

In a community where rigid oversight and systemic failures dimmed the advantages of a quality public education, many of our young people never mastered nor developed basic life or work related skills necessary to function, at a high level, after graduation. Some children were never taught certain coping skills or what it was they should expect from themselves or their peers. As a result, their behavior suffered.

Parents complained of their child’s needs not being met academically, emotionally or socially, at public schools. Many even complained of missing work because of constant calls concerning their child’s behavior; in school. Parents were frustrated because of a lack of resources and options available.

Parents questioned:

1. Who could help them support their children during the school day and after-school?
2. Who could help their children develop crucial life and work-related social skills schools did not teach?
3. Who could they trust to advocate for their child, on their behalf, in their absence?

In 1998, Rev. Garry M. Callis, Sr. created and facilitated Children Of Light/Real Deal Life Skills Workforce Development Program (a unique program that was community-based, impact-driven, and free from the limiting structures failing too many of our children for far too long), to address reported behavioral, social or emotional issues leading to academic shortfalls, within the school system. Rev. Callis, Sr. firmly understood parents did not have to wait or ask for permission, from administrators, to care, educate and support their children, as they saw fit. The Children Of Light was their answer.

Rev. Callis designed Children Of Light to extend a family-style culture for its participants, their families and throughout the community. The COL culture mirrored the appearance, experience, attention, dignity, and tone of a private school environment within public school settings. Rev. Callis’ program was incentive based and primarily dealt with children falling through the cracks academically and socially because of their behavior or attendance.

Rev. Callis believed poor behavior could be addressed by helping participants develop better communication, coping and inter-personal skills, while re-enforcing self responsibility and good decision-making, in real life settings. He knew participants and their families would meet COL expectations, standards and rules, if the programs incentives were something of value. From day one, Children Of Light participants understood they were being held to a higher standard.

Children Of Light-TODAY

Through Children Of Light, Rev. Callis has created a family-style culture where every child is known, every child's needs are addressed, everyone’s voice is heard, local businesses and patrons join in to support our efforts... everyone involved is dedicated to the success of Children Of Light participants. Without the burden of restrictive oversights, Children Of Light continues to enjoy the freedom to nurture, innovate, and lead with that love for over 25 years.

Children Of Light has not just filled gaps, over the years, it has ignited a new path to independence, self-sufficiency and prosperity - one child... one family... one community, at a time.

Support the efforts of Children Of Light join the Discount Mall Without The Walls, as a Patron, Ambassador or Discount Mall Without The Walls Provider. TODAY!!!

• COL/RDLS and our services operate at the will and pleasure of parents to address participant needs

1. Parents determine what services are introduced to their children and when
2. Parents authorize COL Support Team to provide services during and after-school day
3. COL become parent's eyes and ears

• Partipants are "incentivized" to follow COL/RDLS rules at all times.
• COL/RDLS program structure and services can exist anywhere 

• COL/RDLS is free to offer participants "Real Life" experiences without bureacratic oversight or restrictions. 
• COL is only interested in participant success.

• COL/RDLS can easily adjusts once issues have been identified, then work to accomodate the individual needs of our participants and their families. 
• COL has built relationships with a varity of other community stakeholder to assist our participants and their families.

• COL/RDLS offers parents and schools an option if Out-Of-School Suspension is necessary
• Operating as a partner, to local school districts, COL can report participant attendance to maintain student attendance
• COL/RDLS offer participants additional structure, exposure and "real life" experiences that encourage social and emotional growth.