71Five LIFE CHANGE STORIES

From a buffet line to solid food.

Posted on Jul 28, 2025 by Larry Licato | Life Change Story | 0

Many young people today have a limited palette when it comes to food. I know a few that won’t eat much more than Mac-N-Cheese, chicken nuggets, or tacos. Yet, when it comes to lifestyles or faith, it is more like a buffet line. Taking a little of this and a little of that and fill their plate with things they like and avoid things they don’t. During our discussion times, there was a young man who would laugh and say, “I just pick the things I like in religion and leave the rest and that includes Jesus’ stuff and Christianity.” The last time we met together I shared with the group a particularly difficult time in my life, as I was raised by a single dad, and how Jesus healed me of the emotional pain I was dealing with. That young man looked at me with tear-filled eyes and said, “Can I have a Bible?” I said, “Of course!” and offered him one of our Gospels of John. He said “Can I get the whole Bible?” Moved by his request, I slid my bible across the table towards him. He took it, got up from his seat and came over to me. With tears flowing, he said. “Thank you, Larry, for being so brave to share such a deep hurt. I have hurts like this too.” He kept the bible and is meeting with one of our staff for a bible study.

This was an amazing life change, and I believe he has gone from picking and choosing to receiving solid food and living water from God’s word. Thank you for helping to make a life change in this young man as well as so many other young adults in the Rogue Valley.

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

“Can you pray that my mom would stop using drugs?”

Posted on Jul 17, 2025 by Chris Willis | Life Change Story | 0

Every week at 71Five City club, a middle school boy would raise his hand during prayer time. Week after week, he’d ask for the same thing:”Can you pray that my mom would stop using drugs?” He never missed a week. He never stopped believing that something could change. While other kids would rotate through different requests, he stayed focused. He believed God could heal the one thing that hurt him the most, his mom’s addiction. That kind of faith, simple, persistent, and full of hope, hit us hard. It reminded us of the kind of prayer Jesus talked about, the kind that keeps knocking no matter how long the door stays shut. On our recent trip to South Umpqua Falls, this same boy ran up to me with the biggest smile on his face. He said, “Guess what? My mom’s going to treatment. She’s getting clean!” You could feel the joy, the relief, the breakthrough in his voice.

This is the power of childlike faith. This is the hope that won’t give up. And this is why 71Five exists to walk with the youth through the hard stuff, to believe with them, and to celebrate when God answers in ways that change lives. Thank you for walking alongside these young people at 71Five!

CHRIS WILLIS, 71Five 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

How Mary Found Hope at 71Five Parents

Posted on Jul 11, 2025 by Breanna Stoutenburgh | Life Change Story | 0

“When I was eighteen,” Mary said, “a friend and I started playing with tarot cards. A dark force entered my life when I opened that door. Nothing could change the intense fear and evil presence. My boyfriend was not supportive when we found out we were pregnant. He broke up with me, and depression overwhelmed me. I moved into the shelter, and that’s when I started attending 71Five Parents. One night, I tried something new and said the name ‘JESUS’ out loud. This brought me comfort. So every time I had trouble sleeping, I would whisper the name Jesus until I fell asleep. Eventually, I began to believe I could have this baby on my own.”

Scripture says that Jesus is the only name that can save us, including the power to drive out demonic spirits [Acts 4:12 and Mark 16:17].

At 71Five Parents, we gather to eat, share fellowship, receive support, and learn more about Jesus. Some young parents need transportation to 71Five. Is God calling you to partner with us in helping to purchase a highly needed minivan? Please find us at 71Five.org or contact me, breanna@71Five.org. Thank YOU.

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

“I didn’t know I wanted it.”

Posted on Jul 7, 2025 by Will Arias | Life Change Story | 0

Some moments stick. One evening, as our campus night was winding down, I overheard one of our amazing volunteers, Jane, talking with a student named Jayda. “Would you like a Bible?” Jane asked. Without hesitation, Jayda replied, “Yes.” With excitement, Jane grabbed one and handed it to her. Later that night, after the crowd had cleared, I found that Bible left behind. It was a Friday night, so I held onto it until I saw Jayda again on Monday. When I offered it back to her, she looked at me and said, “I don’t want that. I never did—I just didn’t want to be rude to Jane.” I told her kindly, “It’s okay to be honest. You don’t have to accept something just to be polite.” She nodded, understanding. Over the next few weeks, something shifted. Jayda kept showing up, spending time in Scripture with us, asking questions. Then one night, she surprised me by asking, “Do you have a Bible that doesn’t say ‘Kids Bible’ on it?” I smiled and teased, “But you didn’t want the one from a few weeks ago… are you sure?” She paused and said something I’ll never forget: “I didn’t know I wanted it.”

That’s what 71Five is all about—offering something deeper than surface needs. Thank you for being part of a community where students like Jayda can discover truth, connection, and faith—sometimes before they even know they’re looking for it.

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

She Never Let Go

Posted on Jun 25, 2025 by Misty Duke | Life Change Story | 0

I met Heather when she was 15, living in a group foster home – guarded, worn by chaos, but quietly searching for something steady. Through 71Five, we introduced her to a mentor. That one connection changed everything. Now, 20 years later, she’s 35, married, and expecting her first child. The woman who threw her baby shower? That same mentor. The one who welcomed her in, stuck with her, and never let go. They’ve shared countless dinners, holidays, and milestones. Not because it was easy… but because love stayed. This relationship is the hands, feet, and heart of God. In a world of broken relationships and short attention spans, this is a glimpse of something holy: redemption that lasts.

From group home to growing family, from heartache to hope, she’s still following Jesus, and He’s still writing her story. Thank you for providing the connections that never let go!

MISTY DUKE, 71Five Development Director

541.301.7519 | misty@71Five.org

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

“Do you work here or just come for fun?”

Posted on Jun 20, 2025 by admin | General | 0

Every week, two 6th grade twin sisters follow me around telling me every single detail about their lives, what they ate, who annoyed them, what they did last weekend, the whole thing. A few weeks ago, they brought a friend for the first time, and she fit right in like she’d always been here. She was super curious and full of questions. “Do you work here or just come for fun?” “Is this like a school?” “Do kids come every week?” “Can any kid come?” Then she got serious and asked, “How does this place make money? Do you sell stuff or something?” I told her we don’t sell anything, we’re able to do this every week because there are people who love Jesus and want kids to have a safe place to come and hear about God. So they give financially to make this happen. She looked at me like I had just said the craziest thing. “There are people who just give you money so we can have pizza?” I explained that it was more than that but, kind of. Then she asked, “Do all people do that?” I told her not everyone, but a lot of Christians use what God’s given them so they others can know Him. She nodded and said, “Well, when I get money, I’m gonna give it to kids who want pizza too!”

It was kind of a silly moment, but also really sweet. She got a glimpse of what makes this whole thing work, people giving so that kids can come, feel seen, and hear about Jesus. And maybe that conversation planted something in her heart too. I know you can’t be at every club activity but from all the youth and staff at 71Five, “Thank you!” Thank you for being a big part of the reason students like her get to experience this kind of community.

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

Marcus’ Journey Thru Auto Maintenance

Posted on Jun 16, 2025 by admin | General | 0

Marcus came into 71Five’s VoTech Training quiet, unsure, and carrying the weight of a lot of past disappointment. At 17, he had bounced between schools, struggled with attendance, and never really found something that gave him a sense of purpose. He often said, “I’m just not good at anything,” and believed it. During the first few weeks of the basic auto maintenance course, Marcus barely spoke. He stayed in the background, watching the other students. But when we got to the section on changing oil and checking fluids, something clicked. With a wrench in his hand and his head under the hood, he came alive. For the first time, he wasn’t just listening he was engaged. He started asking questions, staying late to help clean up, and even helping the other students catch up. What stood out most was when his mom told us that for the first time in years, Marcus was excited to get up in the morning. “He’s talking about cars nonstop,” she said, holding back tears… “He told me, ‘Mom, I think I found something I’m good at!’”

More than learning how to maintain a vehicle, Marcus discovered that he’s not a mistake, not a failure. God used a simple tool and a basic skill to speak truth into his life that he was created on purpose for a purpose. Through 71Five VoTech, Marcus saw a glimpse of the man God created him to be capable, valuable, and not forgotten. This is why we appreciate your care for these young people!

AARON FAUST, 71Five VoTech Assistant Coordinator – Grants Pass

541.761.5143 | aaron@71Five.org

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

Who doesn’t love second chances?

Posted on Jun 5, 2025 by Shane Skirvin | Life Change Story | 0

“Shane, you are one #$%*&#!” Brayden, a young man at my middle school club, had just told me clearly and articulately what he thought of me. He had been out of control and rude, yet when I confronted him about his behavior, he got mad at me (funny how that works). Regardless, I could tell that deep down, Brayden actually wanted to be at 71Five. Sure enough, the next week, he skateboarded back and apologized. While his behavior hasn’t always been great at Club–with ups and downs and ups again–he knows that we care and provide a safe space for him.

Because of you and your support, we can present the Biblical God who loves second chances to Brayden (see Luke 15:20). Just from talking to him, I can tell that Brayden has had people give up and walk away from him. Thanks to you, we are here and in his life to show him a different type of life and love. One that doesn’t abandon him when he’s going through a hard time, but one that loves, forgives, and even calls him to forgive others: Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times. [Matthew 18:21-22] You are, quite literally, holding out a lifeline to kids like Brayden. Thank you so much for being a part of his story with your life-changing support.

SHANE SKIRVIN, 71Five Campus Coordinator – North Medford

(541) 646-1475 | shane@71Five.org

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

What does mentorship look like?

Posted on May 28, 2025 by Beau Jeska | Life Change Story | 0

What does mentorship look like? Sometimes, it’s a call out of the blue from a kid you once ministered to in detention. Recently, I heard from a young man who was fired up about launching his own landscaping business. We spent a long time talking about money, business, and how to be wise with what God provides. He also shared that he’s living with his girlfriend and plans to marry her. It opened the door for an honest, pressure-free conversation about relationships and God’s design. Reconnecting with him reminded me how deeply we had connected during his time in detention—and how God continues to work long after someone leaves our programs. It’s a mystery how the Lord uses us to water seeds planted by others. I’m just grateful He lets me be a part of it. Mentorship isn’t always instant results—but it’s always worth it, especially from a Kingdom perspective.

Thank you for all that you do to partner in this important work, to build trusting relationships with kids that leads to Hope.

BEAU JESKA, 71Five Operations Director

541.601.9631 | beau@71Five.org

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

Zip-Lining & McDonald’s

Posted on May 22, 2025 by Wendy Collins | Life Change Story | 0