God’s plans are often different from our own; but always good! Thanks to the support of people like you across Southern Oregon, Youth 71Five’s vocational training facility (VoTech) offers men’s dorms for students who need housing while attending class. These dorms were never intended to be a shelter or transitional living program, yet God had other plans for one young man in need of hope. At 18, he came to us carrying the weight of past mistakes, including juvenile detention and probation at age 15. Though he had several red flags and was not an ideal dorm candidate God moved us to give him grace. While living on campus he struggled to follow the rules and stay committed. One day he really slipped up and at noon I found him in the dorms sick from alcohol. Normally he would have been asked to leave then and there but the Holy Spirit urged me not to give up on him. Two days later, we met with his probation officer and connected him with ROC Recovery and Celebrate Recovery. Soon after, he moved into HOPE House where he is receiving the support he needs. Today, he is sober, employed at his first real job and growing closer to God daily.

 

His life is changing because people like you choose to care. Remember, when you pray for those in need or lend a hand to help, sometimes, it can change someone’s life forever.

 

LOGAN SCHOCKELT, 71Five VoTech Assistant Coordinator – Medford
541.646.5706 | logan@71Five.org

 

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

This is a success story about two young men who were given a second chance. During their teenage years, both faced significant adversity and responded to life’s challenges recklessly, falling in with the wrong crowds. Those choices ultimately led to incarceration and criminal charges. Now, barely adults, they stand at a crossroads: continue down a difficult path or choose something new. Both were drawn to VoTech with a desire to learn the trades, build employment skills and begin creating meaningful careers. Without stable housing, they moved into our men’s dorms to take part in the 71Five VoTech program. The start was not without challenges. Coming from different backgrounds and with very different personalities, the transition was rocky at first. With guidance and support from staff and by working together on classroom projects they began to learn how to collaborate. Over time, they started encouraging and supporting one another both in and out of class. One young man shared how grateful he was for the hands-on experience repairing our lawnmower because he got to use those skills to help a friend with landscaping that same weekend. The other has embraced his new responsibilities, arriving to class early, gaining confidence through success and taking meaningful steps toward getting his life back on track. Today both young men are hopeful about the future and grateful for the second chance they were given.

Thank you for your part in seeing young people, like these two, succeed at 71Five!

 

LOGAN SCHOCKELT, 71Five VoTech Assistant Coordinator – Medford

541.646.5706 | logan@71Five.org

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