I could tell you plenty of shocking stories of trauma and brokenness… But this time, I want to share about a young man who went through just the right amount of pain to make some big changes in his life. I met Israel at the detention center and after the group meeting, I had a chance to talk with him alone. He told me my story spoke loudly to him. He said, “I’m ready to turn my life around, never again to return to detention.” We talked through the steps and changes that would be necessary for him to experience freedom in his life. He then asked the Lord to come into his life and direct him. After he was released, I gave him a new Bible and took him to church. He said the message really applied to his life and he liked it. We grabbed a burrito afterward and he shared how he’d quit drinking alcohol, smoking pot, and cigarettes. He deleted all of his social media accounts and was loving it.

He’s now planning to join the biking program 71Five Justice offers and I plan to meet with him regularly. Please pray for this young man as he begins his new life, and thank you for partnering with us, you are making a difference! BEAU JESKA 71Five Justice Director beau@71Five.org

 

How do you bring hope to a young gal who just received a 25-year prison sentence? She won’t be free until her late thirties and she carries the weight of guilt. What can be done to convince this gal there will be good in her future? It started with a caring adult who met her in detention, consistently spent time and built trust. Over the last few months this girl and her adult friend talked and talked about life, this girl’s pain and her fears. During these conversations the girl heard she could be forgiven, accepted into the family of God and He’s always there to watch over her no matter where she goes. This little gal ‘went all in’ and hasn’t looked back. She still struggles with fear and wishes she didn’t have to face the consequences of her crime, but she looks toward the future with real hope. She’s even now experiencing a hope that has brought her to life in what would seem the darkest of circumstances. Thank you so much for caring enough to provide this! You bring trust into the broken lives of kids which leads to love, peace and hope in the darkest places. – BUD AMUNDSEN 71Five Executive Director bud@71Five.org

When Josh was lodged at detention, his behavior was terrible. It was weeks before he was allowed to attend our Thursday night program. When I introduced myself, he would not look me in the eye, his body language was hunched and defensive. His speech was a dialect of gang banger and hard to understand. His personality had been formed by the things he experienced living on the streets. One night, staff allowed him to watch our group from just outside the classroom door. Progress. Trust was built, but glacially slow. He was transferred to the 6-month residential program in the detention center building and after some one-to-one time riding mountain bikes, a friendship was born. At the residential program he used up all his last chances and was lodged in detention with new assault charges. It was there, during Sunday Chapel, that the Lord broke through with the book of Jonah. It spoke right to Josh’s heart. Later, we both confessed to having a little Jonah in our DNA and Josh allowed Jesus into his heart. Fast forward a month, you have a bright young man devouring Scripture and praying—eyes shining bright with the light of a loving God. Thank you for your partnership with 71five Justice, together we are doing important work.- BEAU JESKA, 71Five Justice Director beau@71Five.org