The First Lady Thelma Hardwick’s Academic Achievement Program, an initiative of the Western Baptist State Convention of California Women’s Department, recognizes community and WBSC students, from 7th to 11th grades, for demonstrating success, persistence, and accomplishments towards academic achievement or pursuits in higher education.
The program was named in honor of First Lady Thelma Hardwick for her many years of helping to mold young children’s lives into God loving adolescents.
On December 19, the First Lady Thelma Hardwick’s Academic Achievement Program donated over 700 toys and games to the community outreach programs of WBSC member churches. Ms. Laura Williams, president/CEO of Just Who I AM, was the main speaker. The mission of Just Who I AM is to restore the lives impacted by the foster care system.
Throughout the state of California, Western Baptist State Convention churches organize activities and events to help communities flourish. Locally, the members include Metropolitan Baptist Church (Altadena), Full Gospel Baptist Church of Los Angeles, Praises of Zion Missionary Baptist Church, Sweet Home Baptist Church, New Bethel Baptist Church – Brawley (El Centro and Brawley), McCoy Memorial Baptist Church, St. John Baptist Church, Good Shepherd Baptist Church, Village Baptist Church, True L.A. Church, and Calvary Baptist Church (Santa Monica).
The Rev. Dr. J. Benjamin Hardwick is president of WBSC and LaRonda Nelson is president of the Women’s Department.
