Kacey shared her confusion with us on her second night attending 71Five Parents. She asked, “Isn’t this a Christian place?” I agreed, “Yes it is.” She continued with, “I am surprised you would have a group for us; don’t you see our babies as sins?” I could see the eyes of everyone else seeking the same answer. That night they left hearing that God loved each of them, loves each of their babies, and created them all for a purpose.

 

Thank you for caring! With your prayers, time, and financial partnership; young parents like Kacey can have a safe place where they can belong, and be affirmed of their identity in Christ.

 

 

 

 

I first met Andrew in October while delivering lunches to kids in West Medford. Two middle school aged boys were riding by on skateboards. I attempted to wave them down asking if they needed any lunches. Without even looking at me they both stated, “We’re good!” as they passed by. I responded, “I’ve got chocolate milk!” Andrew made a quick U-turn and said, “You should have just said you had chocolate milk…” as he took a half gallon. A couple of months later, while kids were arriving at our Christmas celebration, I went out to greet two of our regular girls from 71Five City youth group meeting we call ‘club’. As I approached the car Andrew was sitting in the front seat with the girl’s mom. Come to find out Andrew is their big brother. I asked, “Wow bro, when are you going to come check out club?” He said, “I don’t know, isn’t it for kids.” A few days later, I followed up with his mom and she explained he had gotten into trouble and must go to court soon… Fast forward to March, the day after St. Patty’s day, I see the two girls and their big brother Andrew walking in the front door of club. The girls rushed to their regular seats to have dinner. I asked Andrew, “Are you dropping them off?” He replied, “Nope, I’m staying.” Andrew came right in, joining the other kids eating green pancakes, drinking green leprechaun juice, and competing in a very serious game of musical chairs. I was able to chat with him a little during his visit. He shared that he was nervous about going to court and that he hoped to get probation. When I asked him what he thought about club. He said, “I like it, I’ll be coming back.”

 

Thank you for providing a safe place at 71Five where kids like Andrew can come and get a fresh start.

 

 

 

“I NEED HELP AND NO ONE IS HELPING! I want to change; I don’t want to use and drink anymore but I don’t know how!” This is music to my ears because I have been there, and I know the solution. So often, until we come to the end of ourselves we don’t give Jesus much to work with—He requires us to surrender to Him. Dylan was a hard-fisted young man, short in stature and tough as nails with a ruddy face and a big heart. He is a natural leader who, even though he is younger than most of the other boys, they all look up to him and respect him. Jesus heard his cry and met him right there that night in detention.

 

Thank you for your partnership in ministry. Whether it’s your time and talent or financially—you are reaching kids in tough places and changing lives forever.

 

 

 

I recently went to a training on Adverse Childhood Experiences. One of the things that stood out to me is how science has proven that having just one supportive person in your life makes a dramatic difference in a person’s overall wellbeing. It literally reduces everything from depression to cancer. I’ve seen the reality of one caring adult in a kid’s life can mean the difference between life and death.

 

One girl I worked with years back is now 19. She’s had a massive amount of Adverse Childhood Experiences, bouncing from one foster home to another. She recently contacted me out of the blue sharing she was in an abusive relationship and about to go to Planned Parenthood. I asked if she might be pregnant. She said there was a good possibility. I told her I know a better alternative and got her in touch with Teresa, our 71Five Parents Coordinator who works with teen moms. Teresa picked her up, got her to the Pregnancy Center, moved her into a better home, and spent the entire day with her. The girl is pregnant, but now she’s excited to have her baby, is surrounded by people showing her the love of Jesus, and is hearing the Word of God weekly. She recently posted on Facebook, “I’m doing better than ever!”

 

Just like those scientific studies have found, a trusting relationship with a caring adult really can change a life. Are you ready to change lives? Visit us at www.71Five.org to get involved.

 

 

I saw a picture of a smiling young man dressed in welding gear in a photo. I asked Larry our 71Five VoTech Coordinator to tell me his story. Larry responded, “He’s one of my favorite students, I told you about him. He’s the kid who showed up with his hoodie pulled over his head, a dog mask on his face, hands shoved deep in his pockets and he wouldn’t participate in the program, he wouldn’t even speak when spoken to… Today he’s a top welder, he bought an expensive helmet and is having a special welding glove made because he has missing fingers. He also bought a truck; he’s performing an engine change at his house and becoming an amazingly independent adult.” I responded, “Really?!… that can’t be the same kid!!” What an incredible transformation!!

 

This young man has deep scars, both physical and emotional. When he was six, he was trapped in a house fire. He was burned over 70% of his body and his mom died in the fire protecting him. He’s gone through many, many surgeries to repair his scarred body. As Larry put it, “he showed up thinking he was damaged goods without a future”. This young man needed vocational training but more than that he needed an adult who would respectfully push through the hard exterior, build trust and lead him to hope. Hope for this life as well as hope for the next.

 

Thank you for providing trust that leads to hope!!

 

 

Olivia is a sweet, sensitive, and smart girl. She’s also a self-proclaiming introvert … very shy, doesn’t like change or loud noises. The smallest of crowds give her anxiety. One would think that not having to leave home would be an introvert’s dream, yet that was not the case for Olivia. She’s attended 71Five Mentors for over 3 years. When we went virtual because of COVID, she felt a sense of loss. “Since my family doesn’t have a car, going to 71Five was the only time I ever really left my home.” In January, we relaunched our Elementary Club and Olivia was the first to arrive! She was extra excited to return and shared, “My favorite part is being able to spend quality time with other people.”

 

71Five doesn’t only exist to share the gospel with young people, but to share God’s story through trusting relationships. For Olivia, this meant showing up, sitting together for dinner, participating in our bible message, and engaging in our activities. For a young girl who is introverted, shy, and anxious in crowds, Olivia understood spending quality time with others was worth stepping out of her comfort zone. Thank you for creating a safe and comfortable environment for the most vulnerable of kids to want to come and be a part of 71Five.

 

 

Sometimes we all feel like we don’t measure up. At 71Five VoTech we teach basic vocational skills along with life and ‘adulting’ skills the students will need to be successful. One example is the use of a tape measure. Most students that come into our program may have seen a tape measure but never held one or attempted to figure out what the plethora of little black and red marks are used for. A couple of weeks ago, two Juvenile Justice youth were tasked with constructing an aquarium stand out of some scrap lumber at VoTech. After determining the required length, the young men took out their tape measures, marked the lumber, and cut off two spindles each with a miter saw. What I heard next was interesting, one of the students said, “You missed cutting the length of the cut by 1/32 of an inch!”

 

What a privilege it is to work with these young people each week and bring them from not knowing anything about a tape measure to getting 1/32 of an inch accuracy in constructing something. What a change in self-confidence I’ve seen in these two young men in the short time with us… not to mention all the equipping with the life skills and Christ-centered principles. Thank you for giving your funds and prayers to 71Five, you’re helping these young men “Measure Up”.