Join Rome LEAH

We welcome new members throughout the year, though the group is most active during the school year. Annual dues of $46.00 includes membership in NYS LEAH. In addition to the benefits of chapter membership,  NYS LEAH offers a quarterly newsletter anddiscounted membership in the Home School Legal Defense Association (www.hslda.org).

Before signing and submitting your membership form, please read the Statement of Faith and Guidelines for Activites.

Note: Support group meetings and annual picnics are open to all homeschoolers, regardless of membership in Rome LEAH.

REASON TO JOIN LEAH:

This time of year, in preparation for another school year, I find myself reviewing and analyzing the successes and failures of the past year.  I find myself looking back on years past; thinking about how our home schooling and family have changed and have come to the places that they are today.  I look at which groups and activities to add, keep or subtract.  Naturally, the question of membership in LEAH becomes a question; of worth and value.  After letting our membership slide for a few years, we looked at our situation and realized that we not only missed, but also, needed to rejoin a LEAH group.  The small “fee” would be worth it for sure. 

 Shortly before we began to homeschool fourteen years ago, we met a couple who encouraged us as we sought God’s will on our children’s education.  They told us about a LEAH support group that was one of a kind.  We joined and soon realized what an invaluable treasure this group became to us.  Here we would find fellowship in Christ, like-minded home educators and life-long friends.  Our children would be around others that encouraged them in their studies, didn’t stare cross-eyed at them, have classes that would enrich the academics they received at home and have an outlet for some of their God-given talents.  After several years of membership, the opportunity arose for us to “give back” as leaders.  This also proved to be a great experience as we learned to work, pray and lead with our mentors and others.  Throughout this time, we were able to connect with other homeschoolers, who though they may have had different convictions on other issues, shared a great burden for Christ-centered education for our children.  In the past, some have criticized LEAH for “taking place of the local church.”   We have not seen this to be the case.  It has been a wonderful supplement; giving us a place to fellowship with the body of Christ as a whole, not having to excuse some of the choices we have made.  LEAH has also been a blessing in another sense: keeping us informed of legislative issues.  I can’t even count the number of time that I have been on the brink of wanting to quit, when an article in THE MESSENGER has encouraged me or reminded me of one of the reasons I was homeschooling.  Lastly, I will never forget walking into my first NYS LEAH convention (then in Syracuse), and seeing literally thousands of others who were doing the same as us. I remember praising God for this and the people of LEAH, who worked so hard to make it possible.

 I’m grateful for the opportunity to be part of LEAH again this year- to reconnect, to contribute and enjoy my Christian brothers and sisters, both locally and statewide.  Thanks to all who make it possible, and to all who are considering membership-JOIN!

Written by a Returning LEAH member from the Rochester/Finger Lakes