Posted on May 11, 2026 by Bud Amundsen in Life Change Story | 3
One of my favorite people became interested in things of God simply by being on a boat watching his Campus Life mentor. They were sitting in a broken-down ski boat in the middle of Lost Creek Lake. When the boat broke down, this young man waited for his mentor to fly into a rage like his father would… but instead, his mentor was calm and relaxed, accepting what happened as a part of God’s plan for their day. That difference started a journey where this young man came to know Christ, has been in active ministry for many years, and has led many people to trust in Jesus.
It’s amazing when Matthew 5:16 comes to life! It says: “Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”
This is where trusted adults have the greatest impact in the lives of kids. It happens in the ‘between times’ where young people are shown how Jesus makes things different, makes people different. It opens a door to a hope that there is something real, strong, and good to trust in.
Thank you for bringing the light in the context of trust that leads to a powerful hope!
BUD AMUNDSEN, 71Five Executive Director
541.301.0897 | bud@71Five.org
“Lord God, you are my hope. I have trusted you since I was young.” Psalm 71:5 ICB
Posted on May 8, 2026 by Logan Schockelt in Life Change Story | 28
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
Posted on Apr 30, 2026 by Peter Kuhl in Life Change Story | 32
Sara is one of our longest attending students at the Eagle Point Youth Center. She is fun, energetic, and always enjoys living in the goofy and care-free demeanor that God gave her. Her quirkiness allows her to be herself and not care what others think, but has also prevented her from fully participating in our group discussion times. She would always give one word answers or make off handed comments that would typically not be relevant to the topic. Something happened recently though, that surprised us: while we were going around the room giving the highlight of our week, Sara gave a genuine answer, and the following week she raised her hand to add a well thought-out comment about the discussion we were having.
You make a difference… It may seem small, but over time 71Five Campus has given this young woman an opportunity to grow, and be supported and loved. She continues to come back week after week, and always enjoys playing games with all of the safe and caring adults there, and her life has been impacted by the message of hope that we share.
PETER KUHL, 71Five Campus 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
Posted on Apr 23, 2026 by Larry Licato in Life Change Story | 34
Jerry Seinfeld used to say, “Wait… for… it…” and then deliver the punch line to a good story. I know that dates me but that’s okay. I received a call just this morning from a former student. James came from a rough home life. It has been quite a while since we’ve spoken. He said that he was calling me to say that he is going to be attending Rogue Community College’s automotive class in the fall and will be working towards his ASA certification. He said, “Larry, you were instrumental in my life, and I wanted you to know how I was doing.” He also said that he got a job working on a ranch and the owner is teaching him heavy equipment servicing and handling. He said, “The teachings about mechanical technology and more importantly the life skills that I received helps me stay on the right track.” That was great news and I am so grateful to be part of this young man’s life.
More importantly is that you are instrumental in this young person’s life through your prayers and support. You provide him, and others like him, a safe place to learn, and grow, and hear the most important message of all. That he has a hope and a future though God’s love and the work of Jesus. “Wait… for… it…”, James said, “After working for a while now on the ranch, the owner has offered to pay his tuition at RCC in the Fall. Now that is a life changed and a great punch line!
LARRY LICATO, 71Five City – Liberty Park Coordinator
(541) 860-3275 | larry@71Five.org
“Lord God, you are my hope. I have trusted you since I was young.” Psalm 71:5 ICB
Posted on Apr 15, 2026 by Emma Kuhl in Life Change Story | 55
At 71Five’s Winter Camp recently, there was this quiet and reserved teen boy that had come with the 71Five City Grants Pass ministry area. Throughout most of the weekend he was keeping to himself and didn’t really engage with worship and teachings until the last night and I saw him raising his hands high to God and paying attention during the teaching as well. That following Sunday at church while I was leading worship during communion this same teen boy was the only one standing and lifting his hands high to the Lord. It was incredible to see the dramatic change in his life and the light of Jesus shine bright in him.
Thank you for helping young people get to go to 71Five Camps. Your partnership provides trust and hope for thousands of young people throughout Jackson and Josephine Counties.
EMMA KUHL, 71Five Director – Grants Pass
(541) 295-5458 | emma@71Five.org
“Lord God, you are my hope. I have trusted you since I was young.” Psalm 71:5 ICB
Posted on Apr 8, 2026 by Melissa Frazier in Life Change Story | 63
She didn’t have a car. Sometimes she didn’t even have a home. But every single week — she showed up. Her name is Desi. She’s a young mom who came to our teen Parent Night week-after-week for three years! Life was hard. But Desi stayed. She soaked up every lesson. She built real relationships. She learned. She grew. She kept pushing forward even when it would have been so easy to walk away. Last month, Desi applied for a wonderful job. She interviewed. She was chosen! God provided the people and this ministry to walk alongside her — and Desi did the work. We are so proud of her.
That’s what we do at 71Five Parents right here in Jackson County. We give young parents a safe place. Real people. Real mentors. Real hope. A chance to know — you are not alone in this. My name is Melissa Frazier. I am just stepping into this role — and I am already falling in love with this ministry and the young parents we serve. Volunteer. Bring a meal. Be a mentor. Or simply give. Even a small gift can change the life of a child — and every generation that follows. Call me today.
MELISSA FRAZIER, 71Five Parents Coordinator – Jackson County
541.841-0878 | melissafrazier@71Five.org
“Lord God, you are my hope. I have trusted you since I was young.” Psalm 71:5 ICB
Posted on Mar 30, 2026 by Will Arias in Life Change Story | 25
When Chloe walked through our doors in February 2025, she brought a joyful smile, a wildly active mind, and her favorite Warrior Cats book. She is a wonderful mix of passions: she loves reading, adores cats, and is fiercely tough. On our youth soccer team, she earned the nickname “The Iron Curtain” … Because absolutely nothing gets past her! Chloe has a tough exterior, and she is not afraid to react if she feels pushed. But the toughest kids are often the ones who most need to hear, “You are awesome, you are loved, let us go get a Blizzard.” By consistently showing up for her, we have seen her guard begin to drop. While she is not a believer in Jesus yet, she is now always the last kid here, often begging us to keep the doors open just a little bit longer. Recently, we were discussing humanity and its relationship with God. I shared with Chloe that God the Father loves her specifically. I told her that the Creator of the universe had her in mind. She met my eyes, and a faint, genuine smile appeared. It was not an instant conversion, but it was a beautiful, vital seed planted in her heart.
Thank you for your continued support of Youth 71Five Ministries. It is because of your generosity that we can keep planting these seeds and sharing the love of God with the amazing young people of Shady Cove.
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
Posted on Mar 26, 2026 by Misha Ownsbey-Rose in Life Change Story | 53
We recently implemented a new system for our special events, asking a student to lead the devotional during our monthly outings. At our recent paintball event, we had our first student share. Although he was incredibly nervous to speak in front of his peers, it was incredible to see him open the Bible and teach Scripture. It was powerful to watch him step out of his comfort zone, face his fear of speaking, and humbly seek guidance from leaders on what to share and how to teach.
With your support of 71Five, you not only provide opportunities for students to be reached, fed, and have fun you also help raise up future leaders. Because of you, students are discovering their voice, growing in confidence, and learning to be leaders themselves.
MISHA OWNSBEY-ROSE, 71Five City Coordinator – West Medford
707.485.2503 | misha@71Five.org
“Lord God, you are my hope. I have trusted you since I was young.” Psalm 71:5 ICB
Posted on Mar 18, 2026 by Sara Vassallo in Life Change Story | 31
One night at a middle school group, a girl raised her hand and asked, “What’s so good about Jesus anyway?” She wasn’t being sarcastic; she was genuinely asking. As she started explaining, it became clear she had heard pieces of the story before. People said Jesus loves her, that He died for her, but no one had ever explained why that actually matters. At one point she said, “How could a man from 2,000 years ago die for me if He doesn’t even know me?” So we talked through it with her. Nothing complicated; God made you on purpose and for a relationship with Him. But all of us choose our own way instead of God’s way, that’s called sin, and it separates us from Him. We can’t fix that gap by just “being good.” So God did what we couldn’t: Jesus came, lived a perfect life, died on the cross to take the punishment for our sin, but he didn’t just die, He rose from the dead. Because of that, anyone who turns from their sin and trusts in Jesus isn’t just forgiven, they’re brought into God’s family and given a brand-new life with Him now and forever.
It was one of those simple conversations that reminds you how many students aren’t pushing back on Jesus, they just haven’t had someone clearly explain Him yet. Because of you, we get to be in those moments. We get to go back to the basics and give the answers students are really seeking.
SARA VASSALLO, 71Five Campus Coordinator – Central Point
(541) 816-6761 | sara@71Five.org
“Lord God, you are my hope. I have trusted you since I was young.” Psalm 71:5 ICB
Posted on Mar 13, 2026 by Robert Manning in Life Change Story | 57
I recently sat down with a student who signed up for a training course at 71Five VoTech – Grants Pass to gain some automotive experience. Travon is a 17 year old young man with aspirations to work on custom cars… When I asked him about his journey thus far in our class he replied, “I’m getting a lot more out of it than I expected!” He was prepared to sit in the corner and take notes, he did not expect the hands-on experience and the morning life skills conversations. I also asked him what he thought about the foundation of our ministry being faith based and being part of our daily lives and conversations. Travon replied, “I was raised in a very over-the-top religious home and I drifted from faith as it was more than what I was capable of tolerating.” He said he felt comfortable and appreciated our light approach to the word indicating that he had not given up completely and felt hope in his future. This was a young man who was reluctant to be here, sitting in the corner just watching, not interacting much, now he is a social butterfly in the shop and seems to have bonded well with his classmates. When I asked him if he would want to take another course with us he replied, “If there’s a way… I will.”
This is where being a 71Five VoTech Coordinator is very rewarding to have meaningful life skills conversations while offering God’s perspective along with some vocational skills that help launch these young people into the next phase of their life’s. Thank you for being a significant part of Travon’s story of hope!
ROBERT MANNING, 71Five VoTech Coordinator – Grants Pass
541.951.7591 | robert@71Five.org
“Lord God, you are my hope. I have trusted you since I was young.” Psalm 71:5 ICB
