News & Updates

THANKFUL

“Thank you for coming today…
I can’t remember the last time I smiled or laughed.” (15-year-old male)

During one of my recent trips to detention, I was disappointed to learn that only three youth requested to attend my group when I knew there were a total of 12 in the facility. The staff escorting us to the classroom was also surprised and asked a colleague, “Did you tell them it was Jen, and that she has licorice?!” Armed with this new information, the second staff member went back to the youth and soon, more than half of the 12 were settling into their seats, ready for the treat that earned me the nickname “The Licorice Lady” over a decade ago.

You might remember that when I do group at detention, I’m frequently meeting with a revolving door of youth because this is a temporary holding facility. So, while I can’t easily do Bible studies or engage in on-going mentoring relationships like I can with youth in long-term facilities, the good news is that in this more introductory context, I can use good materials on frequent repeat. And one of my favorite selections is to grab anything that Christian comedian Tim Hawkins produces because of how humor (in combination with licorice!) breaks down walls. On this night, the video’s main point set up a great conversation with questions from the youth such as, “Will God still love me despite some things I’ve done?” What I love about this (frequently asked) question is just how surprised the youth become when I say that God loves them no matter who they are, or what they have done (Romans 8: 38-39).

That night after the video, I was able to meet one-on-one with a 15-year-old young man who thanked me for coming because he hadn’t felt joy for longer than he could remember. Being able to bring a smile to the heart of a young person who has forgotten what it is like to feel happiness is both a burden and an amazing privilege. Thank you for participating with me in delivering the Good News to incarcerated youth in our community.

I’m grateful for your commitment to this ministry, and I wish you and your family a fantastic Thanksgiving holiday.

Bringing HOPE to the hopeless.

THANKFUL

“Thank you for coming today…
I can’t remember the last time I smiled or laughed.” (15-year-old male)

During one of my recent trips to detention, I was disappointed to learn that only three youth requested to attend my group when I knew there were a total of 12 in the facility. The staff escorting us to the classroom was also surprised and asked a colleague, “Did you tell them it was Jen, and that she has licorice?!” Armed with this new information, the second staff member went back to the youth and soon, more than half of the 12 were settling into their seats, ready for the treat that earned me the nickname “The Licorice Lady” over a decade ago.

You might remember that when I do group at detention, I’m frequently meeting with a revolving door of youth because this is a temporary holding facility. So, while I can’t easily do Bible studies or engage in on-going mentoring relationships like I can with youth in long-term facilities, the good news is that in this more introductory context, I can use good materials on frequent repeat. And one of my favorite selections is to grab anything that Christian comedian Tim Hawkins produces because of how humor (in combination with licorice!) breaks down walls. On this night, the video’s main point set up a great conversation with questions from the youth such as, “Will God still love me despite some things I’ve done?” What I love about this (frequently asked) question is just how surprised the youth become when I say that God loves them no matter who they are, or what they have done (Romans 8: 38-39).

That night after the video, I was able to meet one-on-one with a 15-year-old young man who thanked me for coming because he hadn’t felt joy for longer than he could remember. Being able to bring a smile to the heart of a young person who has forgotten what it is like to feel happiness is both a burden and an amazing privilege. Thank you for participating with me in delivering the Good News to incarcerated youth in our community.

I’m grateful for your commitment to this ministry, and I wish you and your family a fantastic Thanksgiving holiday.

Bringing HOPE to the hopeless.

HELP US END THE YEAR STRONG

Generous. You are, and have been, a faithfully generous supporter of Mid-Valley Youth for Christ. You have generously given to this ministry through your prayers of intercession, encouraging words, and attentive hearts. And as we close out 2022 and you generously consider year-end giving opportunities, we want to provide you with information so that know where your year-end gifts will be applied.

Tech. In addition to the purchase of a new laptop, year-end giving will be applied to the purchase of web-based software that will enable us to drastically improve our record-keeping related to supporter interactions, events, and opportunities. We all love Excel (and Post It notes!) but we have substantially increased our supporter interactions in the last 6 months and need a customer management (CRM) database (estimated expense – $3,000).

Network. One of our goals this year has been to grow our network and we have been thrilled with the opportunity to take people out for coffee, meet over dinner, and share in small groups or churches. Each of these events include additional costs for transportation, food, brochures, etc. (estimated expense – $1,500).

See the Story. We have LOVED taking supporters into the facilities this year and plan to continue this practice into 2023. Each event includes a debriefing opportunity afterwards, sometimes over coffee and dessert (estimated expense – $750).

Facility Christmas parties. After a COVID break, we are thrilled to be invited back into the facilities to host unit Christmas parties where we bring in goodies and provide a craft activity. In addition, we provide gifts for the youth (toiletries, socks, lap blankets, etc.) that they are able to keep for themselves (estimated cost – $750 per event).

Staff encouragement. One of the things we’ve heard from unit administrators was just how difficult it was for them to retain their employees this year. The bad news is that they experienced a high amount of stress and turnover. The good news is that those employees who stuck around are excellent. We would love to provide unit staff with a blessing this year through small gifts of notes and flowers or cookies (estimated cost – $500).

Library. We are frequently asked to provide youth with Bibles and other spiritual resources. Additionally, during group sessions we show videos produced by Christian comedians such as Tim Hawkins, juvenile-specific ministries such as Fourth Purpose, or work through books that are geared toward the spiritual needs, life experiences, and literacy levels of incarcerated youth. Finding material that works is a challenge and so when we find something, we seize on it (estimated cost – $500).

Savings account replenishment. We received a generous gift in 2022 that enabled us to add me (Brenda) to the team, but we also had to draw from our savings a little each month to make this occur (estimated expense – $12,000).

We hope this list is helpful and resonates with your heart – please let us know if you have any questions!

Brenda Roth Ed.D.
Strategic Development Director