Tami shared with me that although life has been stressful lately; she loves her job. Sometimes she brings her daughter with her to work, and her daughter watches tv while Tami cares for residents, cleans or does laundry. After her work shift Tami walks a block carrying her sleeping daughter home. She said, “If it wasn’t for the support of 71Five Parents, things would be much harder.” Attending Parent Night each Monday helps her feel supported. It’s one night per week she doesn’t have to shop or cook, her daughter can play, and she can get support from people who care. Tami did not know the Lord when she first started coming to 71Five in October of 2021. She said that every time she attends Parent Night she feels a, “Safe, inviting presence.” Tami now has a relationship with the Lord, she says “I believe in Jesus.”

 

Thank you for providing a safe place and hopeful future to young mothers like Tami and their children. You are truly the hands and feet of Jesus.

 

 

Our conversation began about a TV show called: “Stranger Things”. I was caught up on it since I’d just binged watched it, and Zoey and Lilly now knew that. They had been riding scooters to pick up food from the local food pantry. But as the minutes went by, then an hour, and then another hour, they missed picking up food and I was late for lunch. There wasn’t a mention of Jesus in this conversation but, He was there. Those hours became days, then months, and a year later they sat in church with Debi, one of our 71Five Campus leaders. Who would have thought a conversation about a TV show would lead to attending church?

 

The girls have received Bibles and are asking important questions. While they have their hiccups, they’ve become a crucial part of our program in Shady Cove. They volunteer their time to move piles of dirt and they also come to help with our Kid’s Club… “Who would have thought?” Thanks for seeing the importance of opening a safe place to belong in Shady Cove.

 

Today, I can’t help but think of Demitri’s unforgettable experience. During a routine club game, I cracked a light-hearted joke about David and Goliath, assuming he’d get the reference. To my surprise, Demitri had never heard of this biblical tale of a child killing a giant with little more than faith in God. That moment marked a turning point in my understanding of our mission here at Youth 71Five Ministries. It hit me hard that there are local youth who have never been exposed to the encouragement the gospel of grace provides. These simple stories inspired me as a child to be courageous, but what about Demitri today?

 

The next time I saw him he rushed up, exuberantly identifying himself as David and me as Goliath. It was a reminder that the simplicity of the gospel is always at work! I now pray for more opportunities to share the greatness of the Lord with Demitri, and others like him. This incident is etched in heaven as a record of a young soul embracing the gospel, reaffirming my faith in God’s faithfulness, assurance of Kingdom expansion.

 

 

One year ago, I had the honor of baptizing Hailie. Since then, she began sharing Jesus with her cousin, Kadence. A few weeks ago, I received a call from Hailie, who was eager to include Kadence in 71Five High School Camp, and asked if she could come even though Kadence lives in Washington. I replied, “Of course!”

 

Just days before the camp, I had the pleasure of meeting Kadence. She, along with three other girls, came to camp. Throughout camp, I had the privilege of ministering to Kadence, and so did her three friends. It was truly heartwarming to witness these young women earnestly sharing the love of Jesus through both their words and actions. On the final night Kadence wanted to join us in communion. I asked if she had accepted Jesus and she said, “No, but I want to right now,” I prayed with her and when I looked up I saw beaming smiles and even a few tears from her friends. They rejoiced in the knowledge that they would share eternity with Kadence.

 

The impact with Kadence has been immeasurable and everlasting. You have been instrumental in providing opportunities for remarkable transformations in young lives like Kadence’s.

 

 

I am bursting with pride and excitement as I share the incredible journey of our student, Paul, whose life has been forever changed by 71Five’s VoTech training program in Grants Pass. “71Five started my career!” Paul said “Thank you guys for everything. You have no idea how much the program helped me.”

When Paul first joined us, college felt like a distant dream, but with unwavering support from each of you, he found his way. Through your generosity, Paul discovered new strengths and talents he never knew he had. Now, he’s all set to begin college at Universal Technical Institute in Sacramento this September.

 

Your belief in the power of education and mentorship has made a profound impact on Paul’s life. Your support didn’t just open doors for him; it ignited a fire in him to succeed and thrive. As an instructor at 71Five, I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude for making stories like Paul’s possible. Together, we are transforming lives, one young heart at a time.

 

 

Jesse was a middle school student when I first met him. He started with 71Five back in the fifth grade at our Eagle Point center and recently graduated high school. Jesse’s life always seemed challenging with his dad leaving and years of living in a cheap motel with his mom and 3 brothers. Jesse and his family moved to Medford a few years ago and dropped off the radar. Then this past winter he showed back up at 71Five Campus in North Medford. He was attending both High School and College and Career clubs when Jesse was hit with another blow… his mom died suddenly. Jesse is grappling with his future as his oldest and younger brother face mental challenges and Jesse’s second oldest sibling is doing his best to provide for them all.

 

During the recent 71Five High School Camp, I encouraged Jesse to think of questions hindering his trust in God. Jesse privately wrote down two questions: “How can I possibly forgive my dad?” and “Why does God let me suffer so much?” Remarkably, without sharing those questions, Jesse’s small group discussed “Forgiving the unforgivable,” closely followed by the main speaker addressing why God allows suffering. These answers seemed tailor-made from God, leaving Jesse in awe. Shy Jesse then found courage to share with the entire camp on the last night, his story of how God spoke to him.

 

Lots of other kids are finding answers to tough questions through the ministries of 71Five. If you’d like to go deeper in sharing hope with young people, we need financial partners, volunteers, staff, interns, and prayer warriors. Give us a call. In the words of the One who gives me hope, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.” Thank you for building trust that leads to hope. 

 

 

 

Personally, I’m not a big fan of Facebook and other social media sites but I maintain a presence because I never know how God might use it for His purposes. Yesterday I received this from Michelle: “Hey Matt, are you still available for check in’s?”

 

It’s been a decade since I last heard from Michelle. Now 26, the days she spent in juvenile detention are long gone but a relationship forged in difficult times is still important. I’m looking forward to hearing about her life and continuing to encourage her toward the Lord.

 

This isn’t the first message like this I’ve received through Facebook and I pray it isn’t the last. Trusting relationships should never end and ‘my kids’ from all of those years ago still hold a special place in my heart.

 

Trusting relationships and sharing God’s story of hope, this is the work of 71Five. Thank you for being a part of it.

 

 

I heard recently about a couple young men in our 71Five VoTech training program who are dealing with behavioral issues. They struggle to focus, follow instructions, and they create chaos everywhere they go. Their fathers attend the program with them because of their lack of control. It’s clear in our efforts to teach trade skills to these young men is taking its toll on everyone. The dads are worn out, our staff are worn out and they’re all wondering if anything worthwhile is being accomplished… but the boys are still coming, and the story isn’t over.

 

As we prayed for these boys at staff meeting, I realized… if not us, then who? These young men don’t fit in school. 71Five VoTech is really their only option to learn skills to become productive men. The incredibly patient staff and volunteer staff are the best chance these boys have. It’s in this patience and determination where our mission truly comes alive, where the real work is, where sacrifices for young people are made. But this is also where hard earned trust leads to hope.

 

Thank you for providing hard earned trust. It brings real hope.

 

 

We often hold orientation classes to invite students to join 71Five VoTech Training. One young lady was so impressed she said. “I’ll be back to take this class for sure, I love what is happening here.” Young people from all walks of life participate and recently a few from the Eagle Point High School VIP program that’s for youth that need special assistance. She was one and as she said, she came back.

 

She would regularly get up and take pictures of the projection screen. I thought, “What a good way to take notes.” After some time in class we learned she is nearly blind and struggles with other disabilities, but she never gave up. We’ve never seen a student work so hard, but the work paid off and she graduated with a certificate of construction and safety.

 

The important part of this story is that we share God’s message of hope nearly every time we meet and usually at the end during our social time. So for 12 classes over 6 weeks seeds of God’s love were planted in her heart and though she is nearly blind, her heart has been opened to see the love of Jesus and we can see a difference.