Life Change Story Archives - Page 2 of 36

Feb '26

What you accomplished in 2025!

Posted on Feb 6, 2026 by Bud Amundsen in Life Change Story | 51

Feb '26

I want to share a bit of what you accomplished last year.

In 2025, you…

Provided mentoring and direction to a 14-year-old boy whose dad passed away.
Brought comfort to a grieving teen mom who lost her baby.
Gave a middle school girl their first trip to the Redwoods.
Encouraged and listened to a 13-year-old girl who was crying due to being bullied.
Gifted dozens of kids who wanted to read the Bible with brand new Bibles.
Repaired a car for a teen mom who had no transportation to get to work.
Were a shoulder to cry on for a girl who finally admitted to being abused.
Gave a young man a chance to learn trade skills with a stellar report to his parole officer.
Served several thousand healthy meals to kids in all our programs.
Challenged and supported a young man to stay in his addiction recovery program.
Clubs and activities that unplug 100s of kids from their phones and social media.
Over 1100 kids received the message that they can have peace with God through Jesus.
Changed the lives of hundreds of young people by showing them love, trust, and hope.

Each of these situations is real, and there are so many more… So many young people have been touched by the loving hand of God through you.

You will likely never hear the thanks you deserve from the hundreds of kids you’ve cared for this past year, so please hear it from me… Thank you!!!

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

Feb '26

“I need a ride.”

Posted on Feb 3, 2026 by Peter Kuhl in Life Change Story | 51

Feb '26

Cameron was a high school student who would swing by the Eagle Point Youth Center here and there when I first started working for 71Five in 2019. During 2020 Cameron would often ask me to give him a ride to his house in Medford, and as I lived in Medford myself at the time it was easy for me to say yes. He stopped showing up after the year ended though, and I hadn’t had any contact with him until recently, when he reached out to me and thanked me for giving him rides home all those years ago. He expressed that he is a Christian now, and said that he remembered I would always encourage him to connect with 71Five Campus more or find a church. While he rejected my advice at the time, he knew that I was someone he could trust and someone he wanted to tell that he had started following Jesus. He said, “I don’t know a lot, but I know I only need Jesus.”

Cameron is now 20 years old, and he is able to keep his head up because he found hope and belonging in something that started 6 years prior. Thank you for making a difference in the lives of young people like Cameron.

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

Jan '26

Gangsta Twirl

Posted on Jan 21, 2026 by Larry Licato in Life Change Story | 33

Jan '26

One afternoon a young girl came into our youth center at 71Five City at Liberty Park just to hang out. She was probably 10 or 12 with a very gangster look. Dark dirty hair in her eyes, mean looking makeup, ball cap on sideways, a jean jacket and dirty pants all rolled up at the ankle. From my office I could see her as she was walking toward the pool table. I immediately saw the possibility of damage to the table. Not only because of lack of skill but because of the visible anger in her heart. I later learned that she was living with an addicted mom and there was no dad in the home. So, I walked up and said “Hi, my name is Larry what is yours”. Under her breath, she said “Brooklyn”. I told her that I was raised in Brooklyn and “Brooklyn” is my favorite a girl’s name. As I spent time with her, I had the opportunity to share that God loved her and she was beautiful in his eyes. Week by week I noticed slight changes in her as we talked and laughed. Eventually the hat came off and her hair was clean and the heavy makeup was gone. Then one day she showed up in a dress and she said, “Larry, How do I look?” and she twirled. Friends, I have never had a daughter but through my tears, I said, “Brooklyn, you look great.” I never saw her again after that day, but I heard that she was attending church and even got baptized. I also heard that she brought her mom to church.

This is what we call moving the needle in a young person’s life. You are moving the needle from a life of hurt towards a life hope with of Jesus. Come join me as we move the needle in the life of so many youth. If you are interested in supporting 71Five or becoming a volunteer, give me a call at 541.890.1819. Thanks for listening, and have a great day.

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

Jan '26

“I really don’t know Jesus.”

Posted on Jan 13, 2026 by Emma Kuhl in Life Change Story | 71

Jan '26

At Middle School 71Five Camp this past summer, I got the opportunity to be the worship leader. Through this experience, I was able to pour into and mentor kids and encourage them to grow in their faith. On the second day of camp I met a teen girl who was eager to come to worship practice and learn. On the fourth night I felt the spirit stir in me to talk to her and hear her story. I had found out that she had come from a rough home life and was on her own. Through our conversation, she shared, “I really don’t know Jesus.” I shared with her the story of Jesus leaving the 99 sheep to find the one, and I saw that it finally clicked with her, Jesus’ love for her. During the last night of camp, she stood up and said “I’m on team Jesus!” with teary eyes in her eyes, we witnessed a light in her shine. She then got baptized that evening and came up to me and gave me the biggest hug and said thank you for taking the time to pour into me.

Thank you for taking the time to read this Life Change Story and supporting the youth mentoring work at 71Five. You are changing lives and hearts of so many young people in the Rogue Valley.

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

Jan '26

At the edge of the grave.

Posted on Jan 7, 2026 by Breanna Stoutenburgh in Life Change Story | 60

Jan '26

Sometimes Leah fell asleep at the back of the room during 71Five Parents Night. Her head would rest on the table. When she woke up, she always apologized softly. She wasn’t rude — she was exhausted. Leah was just sixteen when her daughter, Anna, was born. Baby Anna had serious medical needs. Doctors told Leah early on that Anna would not live long. Anna experienced the world mostly through sound and touch. When she was held, she made soft giggles and coos that filled the room. Leah raised her daughter alone and cared for her beautifully. For nearly a year, Leah showed up — week after week — to Parent Night. Then one week, we didn’t see Leah, and another week went by. And one of Leah’s friends told us that Anna had died peacefully in her sleep. I was at the funeral as the casket was lowered. It was heartbreaking to watch Leah drop to her knees at the edge of the grave. She leaned forward so far that it looked like she might fall in; her soul-searing cry brought tears to our eyes. Scripture says, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted.” I texted Leah recently an invitation. She wrote back, “I do not have a baby.” I replied, “You are still a mommy, Leah; you are always invited to Parent Night.”

Stories like Leah’s are why 71Five Parents exists. If God is calling you to serve teen parents in Grants Pass or Medford, we are looking for you and seeking to hire two part-time ministry leaders, one in Grants Pass and one in Medford. Visit 71Five.org to apply.

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

Jan '26

“I Love Coming Here!”

Posted on Jan 2, 2026 by Will Arias in Life Change Story | 34

Jan '26

Earlier this year, a boy named Gabriel walked through our doors full of life, intelligence, love, and joy. As time went on, I learned many things about him. One of those things was that he was not very interested in hearing about Jesus. Still, he kept coming, and that alone spoke volumes. In early December, I had the privilege of celebrating eight years of sobriety. During that time, I shared my testimony and then invited questions or comments. A few were shared, some meaningful and some playful, but one rose above the rest. It came from Gabriel. He said, “When my mom and I were moving here and I first started coming, I didn’t care to hear anything about Jesus. Now I’m excited to hear about Him every Wednesday during devotion.” Smiling wide, he added, “I love coming here.”

What a gift it is to serve these young people alongside you. Because of the faithfulness many of you show behind the scenes, I get to witness moments like this firsthand. Thank you.

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

Dec '25

Simple Words. . .

Posted on Dec 24, 2025 by Misha Ownsbey-Rose in Life Change Story | 46

Dec '25

When I first started with 71Five last August, I was honored to begin one-to-one mentoring with a high school student. From the start, I saw so much of myself in her at that age, quiet, guarded, unsure of her belonging. Because of you, month by month, I watched her change. She started showing up to youth group more consistently. She was talking more with others, not hiding behind her phone. She began to believe that she mattered. Because of you, her family also received groceries and a gift during a season when they truly needed it the most. Last week, as I drove her home, she randomly said, “This year has been so much better than last… Thank you!” These simple words were the greatest gift I could receive.

Because of you, 71Five is bringing love, consistency, and hope to youth in West Medford… One relationship at a time… THANK YOU!!!

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

Dec '25

Lost In The Dark

Posted on Dec 23, 2025 by Bud Amundsen in Life Change Story | 27

Dec '25

Have you ever been lost in the dark? As a teen, a friend and I went cross-country skiing one cold afternoon. Single digits aren’t a problem for Minnesota kids, so we had a great time bushwacking through the frozen slough. We realized too late it would be dark before we got back, and the temp was dropping. We thought we could just follow the frozen creek back, but because of all the twists and turns of the creek, we weren’t sure if we were heading to the car or away from it. After turning around, we lost our tracks. Now it was pitch black, very cold, and we had no idea which way to go. We weren’t prepared, and we knew this is how people die. I remember the feeling of dread from being cold, hungry, and lost, with no way to change it.

This describes so many young people we know. They’re lost with no way to change it. There’s an epidemic of anxiety and hopelessness, and many are succumbing to it… After trudging blindly in the dark, the clouds broke, and we could see the moon. That light meant all the difference in the world. We figured out our direction… we were going the wrong way. That single point of light got us out of danger by giving us certainty, direction, and hope. It was a long slog back to the car, but we knew we’d make it.

Isaiah 9:2 comes alive to me after that! It says: “The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.” Christmas is here! The ‘great light’ was born and saved the world! Will you join 71Five in bringing the “light of the world” to those who live in the shadow of death? Will you go above and beyond with a special year-end gift? The year-end matching gift will double every dollar given above and beyond. Your gifts answer the anxiety and hopelessness with certainty, direction, and hope!

BUD AMUNDSEN, 71Five Executive Director

541.779.3275 | bud@71Five.org

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

Dec '25

Take a Closer Look

Posted on Dec 19, 2025 by Sara Vassallo in Life Change Story | 41

Dec '25

A few weeks ago, one of our students came up to me and said, “Hey, do you remember when you had to call my mom because I was being mean to people?” I did remember. It was four years ago, but it felt like forever. He’s a whole different kid now. Then he thanked me. Back then, almost all that people could see was a kid who was acting out and making bad choices. What they didn’t know at the time was how much he was actually struggling. When we called his parents and told them he couldn’t come back for a week, he was really mad. That moment ended up being a bigger deal than I realized. It made his parents take a closer look, and honestly, it kicked off a long season of him getting in trouble at home because of poor choices and learning things the hard way. When he finally came back, he said he expected it to be weird. Like we’d treat him differently or like he’d messed up too badly. Instead, we welcomed him back like he’d never left. Now, years later, he told me he’s grateful we stopped him when we did. At the time, it felt unfair to him, but now he sees it as being loved enough for someone to step in instead of ignoring it. Scripture says, “But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” [Romans 5:8]. Loving students this way is a small reflection of Christ’s love for us… Love that doesn’t wait for someone to first get it together!

Thank you for making space for kids to experience that kind of love here, the kind that’s patient, persistent, and doesn’t give up on them. My hope is that one day they’ll realize this is exactly how God loves them, too.

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

Dec '25

Life felt heavy, loud, and out of control.

Posted on Dec 15, 2025 by Chris Willis in Life Change Story | 48

Dec '25

Two years ago, Ryan lost his dad. As a 14 year old young man, that loss wrecked him. It sent him into a spiral that eventually led to time in corrections. Life felt heavy, loud, and out of control. Trust did not come easy, and hope felt thin. Now he is wrapping up a residential program and trying to figure out who he is and where he is headed. That kind of change is hard. It takes time. It takes people who care and believe. When he came to VoTech, something was different. It was calm and steady. He could just be himself. We did not rush him. We built a relationship slowly, by showing up and working together. Over time, Ryan began to open up. One day my wife jokingly said, “You get to hang out with your favorite people.” He smiled and said, “You’re right. You are my favorite people!” That hit us. It meant he felt safe here. It meant he felt like he belonged. He chose welding, and at first he just focused and listened. Within a few weeks, we realized he had a real gift. His welds were solid and clean. You could see pride coming back every time he laid one down. He stood a little taller. He believed in himself again.

71Five VoTech became more than a program for him. It became a place of peace. A place where he could heal, learn a skill, and start to believe that his past does not define his future. Thank you for believing in 71Five with your time, donations and prayers… Now young people like Ryan can believe in the Hope found in Jesus!

CHRIS WILLIS, 71Five Area Director – Grants Pass

541.941.3488 | chris@71Five.org

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