Cameron is in High School, he and his younger brother go to 71Five. Months ago, they heard finding a mentor was an option. We have been looking ever since. It’s hard to find men like you willing to form 1:1 relationships. These boys have a difficult home life. They are looking for mentors who can bring fun and activity to their lives. Cameron wants to mature and is interested in growing in the mental, physical, social, & spiritual areas of life. When I asked his younger brother “What are you most thankful for right now?” he replied, “The time I get at 71Five.” I have seen the power of 1:1 relationship as the hope of God transforms lives.

WENDY COLLINS,  71Five Mentors Coordinator  

541.441.2495 | wendy@71Five.org

“Lord God, you are my hope. I have trusted you since I was young.” Psalm 71:5 ICB

Here’s a saying I often repeat to my staff—

Tony is a 20-year-old young man who came to 71Five VoTech back in August. He came in hungry to learn some skills and asked many questions. However, most of his questions were toward the verse of the day we would go over after class. I’ve had the privilege to share the God’s story with Tony multiple times in different ways since August which led to inviting him to Upwards church with me in October. Tony had never been to church. He got to meet Paster Al and some other attenders who welcomed him with open arms. Both 71Five VoTech and the church have been able to answer most of Tony’s questions about Jesus. Because of your partnership with 71Five VoTech, Tony made a confession of faith to Jesus and I had the honor of baptizing him last week!

IAN NAMU,  71Five VoTech Assistant Coordinator – Medford 

808.371.0240 | ian@71Five.org

“Lord God, you are my hope. I have trusted you since I was young.” Psalm 71:5 ICB

Intimacy… it’s something we all crave deep down inside, but we often forget we need. We forget consciously any way. That is the story of a group of teens who came to 71Five Campus on a Friday night. These middle schoolers had been going with the flow, and through the motions, but were craving something more; something meaningful. Some of them had experienced Jesus before, and the life and joy He gives, and others had only dreamt of such fullness and peace. But each of these teens, whether they had experienced the presence of God before, found Him that night. God tells us, through the prophet Jeremiah, that those who seek Him will find Him when they search with their whole heart. There is something utterly beautiful about seeing someone seek God with their entire being… seeking to find much more than a concept or an idea to acknowledge. No, they are yearning for and reaching out to Yahweh for a relationship. This is what true intimacy is. This is the truest form of freedom that we share with every kid who comes to 71Five Campus.

PETER KUHL,  71Five Ministry Director – Eagle Point 

541.630.0648 | peter@71Five.org

“Lord God, you are my hope. I have trusted you since I was young.” Psalm 71:5 ICB

A couple of years ago Aiden lost his mother to cancer. Since then, it’s been very difficult on Aiden and his brothers. Since I’ve known Aiden, he’s always had sort of a mischievous sense of humor. On Wednesday at 71Five City’s after school Drop-In, I told the story of how I woke up screaming from a cramp in my calf and how it woke one of my siblings up. For some reason, and for the very first time, I witnessed Aiden give a real and genuine laugh and the biggest smile I’ve ever seen from him! This is a huge milestone for Aiden… From a kid who I’ve only seen slightly force a grin or chuckle while he’s busy annoying someone, has now opened himself up with this emotional response. I’m hopeful that Aiden is ready to share the real and genuine young person he is with us.

ISAIAH ABNEY,  71Five City – Liberty Park Coordinator  

(706) 748-1999 | isaiah@71Five.org

“Lord God, you are my hope. I have trusted you since I was young.” Psalm 71:5 ICB

This past weekend, I had the privilege of joining a group of students to fill a need in our community. One of our coordinators reached out about a young mom who had recently moved to the Grants Pass area. She was in desperate need of furniture for her new home. After connecting with some generous donors, we gathered a few pieces and delivered them to her on Saturday. But what unfolded that day was far more powerful than a simple furniture drop-off. As we helped her set up, this young mom opened up to us, sharing her personal story. She had been living on the streets, all while trying to raise her young child. For the first time in what felt like forever, she had found stable housing, and hope was beginning to take root in her life. You could see the relief in her eyes—a glimpse of a future that finally seemed possible. On the van ride back, the students who helped were quiet, reflecting on what they had just witnessed. They were moved, not just by the act of giving, but by the resilience of this mom—how she had faced unimaginable hardships and was now finding her way back. It’s moments like these that remind us of the truth in Proverbs 11:25: “The one who blesses others is abundantly blessed; those who help others are helped.” We set out to bless someone in need, and yet we walked away feeling blessed ourselves.

CHRIS WILLIS,  71Five City – Grants Pass Coordinator  

(541) 941-3488 | chris@71Five.org

“Lord God, you are my hope. I have trusted you since I was young.” Psalm 71:5 ICB

I have an example of How God chooses the weak things of this world to shame the wise. . .

As I was walking around a university event, I was impressed by two stylish, educated college students in front of me talking about a wedding they were going to attend. But I was surprised to overhear one of the young women loudly explain, “I’m waiting to get an abortion until after the wedding because these hormones make me look really good in my dress!” They both laughed and walked on. These two women were beautiful, with successful academic careers lined out, but I was disturbed by their lack of discretion and what they had value in. Driving home I contrasted the two college students with the teen mothers attending 71Five Parents. They don’t appear to have it all together. They often get judged for ‘mistakes’, poverty, or needs. They come from homes that are filled with chaos. They’ve sacrificed teenage figures to bring children into this world. They aren’t free to just do whatever they want. They are adolescents, but they give their freedom, time, and opportunities because they truly love and value their children.

BREANNA STOUTENBURGH,  71Five Parents Coordinator  

541.941-7697 | breanna@71Five.org

“Lord God, you are my hope. I have trusted you since I was young.” Psalm 71:5 ICB

One night we had six in attendance with laughter and joy that filled the 71Five Campus Youth Center in Shady Cove. We ate, played games, and worshiped… but I was not expecting what would happen next. After the dust had settled, we sat down for our devotion and whammy, there we were in the second half of 1 Thessalonians 4:3, “…that you should abstain from sexual immorality.” I assume my face turned red. I felt my hands get sweaty… we hadn’t entered into this type of conversation before. This topic brings about many questions and thoughts (negative mostly). As the conversation thickened, repentance became the focal point. “Phew!” I thought. The smiles came back and then out came these words, “HEY, THAT’S MY STORY!” After she found out repentance means to turn away from. This young person allowed me to share her story of being attracted to other girls… even to the point of acting on those feelings. This helped another girl find some resolution about her mother. These two girls, one faced with the dilemma of her mother and the other happy that her life is changed, have continued to seek answers of Biblical truth.

WILL ARIAS,  71Five Campus Coordinator – Shady Cove

541.841.6400 | will@71Five.org

“Lord God, you are my hope. I have trusted you since I was young.” Psalm 71:5 ICB