Youth 71Five Ministries
“Lord God, you are my hope. I have trusted you since I was young.” [Psalm 71:5 icb]
Relational Ministry
We exist to share God’s story of hope with young people through trusting relationships in any relevant way.
Find out more about each of our unique youth activities by clicking the button >>>
“[Some Shepherds Hear About Jesus] That night, some shepherds were in the fields nearby watching their sheep. An angel of the Lord stood before them. The glory of the Lord was shining around them, and suddenly they became very frightened. The angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, because I am bringing you some good news. It will be a joy to all the people. Today your Savior was born in David’s town. He is Christ, the Lord.” — Luke 2:8-11 . Powered by BibleGateway.com.
Download our ShareFaith app to your mobile device and choose 71Five:
TRUST TO HOPE
Youth 71Five Ministries provides many opportunities for loving, caring, Christ-following adults to engage in the lives of lost and hurting kids. We aim to bring hope through relationship; providing a safe place to belong and sharing the message of the Gospel. There are a number of ways for you to be involved in the work God is doing in the Rogue Valley – there is a place for you on our team! Young people desperately need your friendship and the love of Jesus in their lives. Through your involvement and God’s power, we will see young lives transformed.
kids need a safe place
Too many kids lack nurturing homes and a sense of belonging. At our 71Five Campus Youth Centers, 71Five City Community Center and 71Five VoTech Training Centers, kids find a safe, fun place to relax and caring adults who take the time to know them. 71Five Campus programs provide opportunities to discuss life lessons from a Christ-centered perspective. 71Five City is an effective ministry model to transform the lives of inner-city youth, their families and the neighborhood communities that they live in.
kids need hope and encouragement
Many young people make poor decisions related to drugs and violence. These kids often end up in Juvenile Detention Centers feeling broken and hopeless. And our 71Five Connect Workshop reaches kids with a powerful resiliency program in local schools. The 71Five Adventure, 71Five Justice and 71Five Connect staff and volunteers offer listening ears and the hope and encouragement found in a relationship with God.
kids need someone to imitate
Kids are always looking for role models to imitate, but many are growing up in relational poverty where they have no good role models to follow. Our 71Five Adventure, 71Five Justice, 71Five Mentors, 71Five Parents and 71Five VoTech mentoring programs provide young people with long term trusting relationships with adults that form the foundation for healthy influence.
we are unique in our work
Although we offer fun and helpful programs for kids, our real work is building the relationships necessary for kids to thrive. By providing places where youth feel secure, by delivering a message of real hope, and by being people kids can truly count on, we are seeing lives transformed.
We mobilize responsible caring adults to be engaged in trusting relationships with young people. We desire this for every young person in our valley. These relationships are the foundation for guiding young people according to the teachings of Jesus Christ—helping them to develop the mental, physical, social, and spiritual components of their lives. Young people will be given hope and purpose so they can thrive individually and strengthen our community.
Youth 71Five Ministry Activities…
Youth 71Five Ministries Includes:
Youth 71Five Ministries exists to share God’s story of hope with young people through trusting relationship in any relevant way. We believe that influence happens best through healthy, authentic, and trusting relationships.
We mobilize responsible caring adults to be engaged in trusting relationships with young people. We desire this for every young person in our valley. These relationships are the foundation for guiding young people according to the teachings of Jesus Christ—helping them to develop the mental, physical, social, and spiritual components of their lives. Young people will be given hope and purpose so they can thrive individually and strengthen our community.
Youth Event Registration:
Every month we usually do at least one extra activity.
Some examples of our activities are: Cave Quest, Snow-day, Paintball, Bowling, Fundraisers, Summer and Winter Camps, Rafting, Redding Water Slides, and lots more.
“Lord God, you are my hope. I have trusted in you since i was young.” [Psalm 71:5 icb]
Youth 71Five Ministries Involvement
Oregon Business magazine announced Youth 71Five Ministries is a 100 Best Nonprofit to work for! Youth 71Five Ministries is not only a workplace to grow and develop professionally, it’s a place that will change you personally. Our organization is also proud to be a GuideStar Platinum Nonprofit Profile participant. Platinum lets us show quantitative metrics on the progress we’re making toward our mission. We thank God for your generosity and we promise to use your financial gift wisely. Youth 71Five Ministries depends on the involvement of caring adults to accomplish our mission—to share God’s story of hope with young people through trusting relationship in any relevant way. We believe that influence happens best through healthy, authentic, and trusting relationships. We are asking God to raise up an army of caring adults who will establish relationships with the youth in our communities. We need volunteers who will serve directly with students, mentoring advocates, intercessors, financial partners, and administrative help in the office. Wherever your gifts and talents lie, you can make an eternal difference in a young person’s life.
you can get involved
Operating in Jackson and Josephine Counties: (3) Youth Centers, (3) Community Centers, and (2) Training Centers. Building trusting relationships through these (9) initiatives: 71Five Adventure, 71Five Camp, 71Five Campus, 71Five City, 71Five Connect, 71Five Justice, 71Five Mentors, 71Five Parents, and 71Five VoTech.
“Come to me, all of you who are tired and have heavy loads. I will give you rest. Accept my work and learn from me. I am gentle and humble in spirit. And you will find rest for your souls. The work that I ask you to accept is easy. The load I give you to carry is not heavy.” [Matthew 11:28-30 icb]
Ready to Volunteer?
Give us your info and we’ll be in touch.
Life Change Stories
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29
Mar '21
Surrender
29
Mar '21
“I NEED HELP AND NO ONE IS HELPING! I want to change; I don’t want to use and drink anymore but I don’t know how!” This is music to my ears because I have been there, and I know the solution. So often, until we come to the end of ourselves we don’t give Jesus much to work with—He requires us to surrender to Him. Dylan was a hard-fisted young man, short in stature and tough as nails with a ruddy face and a big heart. He is a natural leader who, even though he is younger than most of the other boys, they all look up to him and respect him. Jesus heard his cry and met him right there that night in detention.
Thank you for your partnership in ministry. Whether it’s your time and talent or financially—you are reaching kids in tough places and changing lives forever.
BEAU JESKA, 71Five Justice Coordinator
(541) 601-9631 | beau@71Five.org
“Lord God, you are my hope. I have trusted you since I was young.” Psalm 71:5 ICB
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19
Mar '21
Pregnant teen finds hope
19
Mar '21
I recently went to a training on Adverse Childhood Experiences. One of the things that stood out to me is how science has proven that having just one supportive person in your life makes a dramatic difference in a person’s overall wellbeing. It literally reduces everything from depression to cancer. I’ve seen the reality of one caring adult in a kid’s life can mean the difference between life and death.
One girl I worked with years back is now 19. She’s had a massive amount of Adverse Childhood Experiences, bouncing from one foster home to another. She recently contacted me out of the blue sharing she was in an abusive relationship and about to go to Planned Parenthood. I asked if she might be pregnant. She said there was a good possibility. I told her I know a better alternative and got her in touch with Teresa, our 71Five Parents Coordinator who works with teen moms. Teresa picked her up, got her to the Pregnancy Center, moved her into a better home, and spent the entire day with her. The girl is pregnant, but now she’s excited to have her baby, is surrounded by people showing her the love of Jesus, and is hearing the Word of God weekly. She recently posted on Facebook, “I’m doing better than ever!”
Just like those scientific studies have found, a trusting relationship with a caring adult really can change a life. Are you ready to change lives? Visit us at www.71Five.org to get involved.
TIM HARDY, 71Five Campus Director and 71Five Campus – North Medford Coordinator
(541) 840-0960 | tim@71Five.org
“Lord God, you are my hope. I have trusted you since I was young.” Psalm 71:5 ICB
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15
Mar '21
without a future
15
Mar '21
I saw a picture of a smiling young man dressed in welding gear in a photo. I asked Larry our 71Five VoTech Coordinator to tell me his story. Larry responded, “He’s one of my favorite students, I told you about him. He’s the kid who showed up with his hoodie pulled over his head, a dog mask on his face, hands shoved deep in his pockets and he wouldn’t participate in the program, he wouldn’t even speak when spoken to… Today he’s a top welder, he bought an expensive helmet and is having a special welding glove made because he has missing fingers. He also bought a truck; he’s performing an engine change at his house and becoming an amazingly independent adult.” I responded, “Really?!… that can’t be the same kid!!” What an incredible transformation!!
This young man has deep scars, both physical and emotional. When he was six, he was trapped in a house fire. He was burned over 70% of his body and his mom died in the fire protecting him. He’s gone through many, many surgeries to repair his scarred body. As Larry put it, “he showed up thinking he was damaged goods without a future”. This young man needed vocational training but more than that he needed an adult who would respectfully push through the hard exterior, build trust and lead him to hope. Hope for this life as well as hope for the next.
Thank you for providing trust that leads to 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
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09
Mar '21
Showing Up
09
Mar '21
Olivia is a sweet, sensitive, and smart girl. She’s also a self-proclaiming introvert … very shy, doesn’t like change or loud noises. The smallest of crowds give her anxiety. One would think that not having to leave home would be an introvert’s dream, yet that was not the case for Olivia. She’s attended 71Five Mentors for over 3 years. When we went virtual because of COVID, she felt a sense of loss. “Since my family doesn’t have a car, going to 71Five was the only time I ever really left my home.” In January, we relaunched our Elementary Club and Olivia was the first to arrive! She was extra excited to return and shared, “My favorite part is being able to spend quality time with other people.”
71Five doesn’t only exist to share the gospel with young people, but to share God’s story through trusting relationships. For Olivia, this meant showing up, sitting together for dinner, participating in our bible message, and engaging in our activities. For a young girl who is introverted, shy, and anxious in crowds, Olivia understood spending quality time with others was worth stepping out of her comfort zone. Thank you for creating a safe and comfortable environment for the most vulnerable of kids to want to come and be a part of 71Five.
DARLENE HARPER, 71Five Mentors Coordinator
(805) 202-9125 | darlene@71Five.org
“Lord God, you are my hope. I have trusted you since I was young.” Psalm 71:5 ICB
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02
Mar '21
Measuring Up
02
Mar '21
Sometimes we all feel like we don’t measure up. At 71Five VoTech we teach basic vocational skills along with life and ‘adulting’ skills the students will need to be successful. One example is the use of a tape measure. Most students that come into our program may have seen a tape measure but never held one or attempted to figure out what the plethora of little black and red marks are used for. A couple of weeks ago, two Juvenile Justice youth were tasked with constructing an aquarium stand out of some scrap lumber at VoTech. After determining the required length, the young men took out their tape measures, marked the lumber, and cut off two spindles each with a miter saw. What I heard next was interesting, one of the students said, “You missed cutting the length of the cut by 1/32 of an inch!”
What a privilege it is to work with these young people each week and bring them from not knowing anything about a tape measure to getting 1/32 of an inch accuracy in constructing something. What a change in self-confidence I’ve seen in these two young men in the short time with us… not to mention all the equipping with the life skills and Christ-centered principles. Thank you for giving your funds and prayers to 71Five, you’re helping these young men “Measure Up”.
JEFF KEENER, 71Five VoTech Assistant Coordinator
(541) 890-8960 | jeffkeener@71Five.org
“Lord God, you are my hope. I have trusted you since I was young.” Psalm 71:5 ICB
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23
Feb '21
finding their way
23
Feb '21
Jacob is an energetic, 15-year-old freshman who’s been coming to 71Five Campus in Eagle Point for several years now. He enjoys coming 71Five and is always excited to do whatever he can to help. A couple of weeks ago he said, “I originally came here because my little sister told me not to follow her, so I did… just to annoy her.” It’s funny how much he loves being at 71Five Campus when it all started with annoying his sister. Jacob is now on his way to becoming a Student Leader. It is amazing to see the growth and increased maturity in him, and I am excited to see him grow even more in the days to come.
I pray more and more kids like Jacob will find their way to 71Five so they can grow and learn about Jesus and the hope that we can have through Him.
PETER KUHL, 71Five Campus – Eagle Point Coordinator
(541) 630-0648 | peter@71Five.org
“Lord God, you are my hope. I have trusted you since I was young.” Psalm 71:5 ICB
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15
Feb '21
deeper matters
15
Feb '21
The young people in our community face many challenges such as being socially isolated by the Covid-19 pandemic and the constant bombardment of social media vying for their attention. At 71Five City, I’m always looking to push past these barriers, to drive our discussions to a deeper level, challenge assumptions, look at worldview, and help the youth realize… ideas have real life consequences. Recently our efforts have paid off with a great and lively conversation about some of the hot button issues kids are wrestling with and genuinely care deeply about. Chloe expressed to us, “I can’t really say what I think about this because they would cancel me.”
It’s an awesome opportunity and great responsibility to reach these kids and share the hope of the Gospel. At 71Five, we love piercing through the superficial and creating lasting relationships with the youth. Thank you so much for your vital effort to reach and affect these young kids!
Shane Skirvin, 71Five City – Liberty Park Coordinator
(541) 646-1475 | shane@71Five.org
“Lord God, you are my hope. I have trusted you since I was young.” Psalm 71:5 ICB
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09
Feb '21
the Journey
09
Feb '21
Julie and her brother have been coming to 71Five Campus for over 2 years now. She’s always been quiet, very shy, and not always willing to engage. Sometimes I will see her sitting by herself out in the hall and ask her why she separated from the group. She always responds with a mumble, avoids eye contact, and eventually does re-engage when she’s ready. Over the past year, Julie has been coming out of her shell. She now interacts with others, has built relationships with her peers, speaks up at times, and plays our games with enjoyment! Recently we went on a snow trip. When I jumped in the van to drive home, she was sitting in the front seat. She began talking to me immediately and kept saying “I never talk this much.” After a while, she shared with me that she has a disability that causes her to have social anxiety. She hated school because of it and would always find a corner in the classroom to hide in. With her sharing her story, I began filling in the missing puzzle pieces.
Julie and I talked the entire ride home. We talked about matters that were deep and only shared in a safe environment. In the past 2 years, we’ve made many memories, but this journey home was by far my favorite. It took 2 years for Julie to feel safe enough to trust me with a fragment of who she is. This trust brings hope for the both of us! Thank you for your part in Julie’s journey at 71Five.
FARRAH GUTHRIE, 71Five Campus – Grants Pass Coordinator
(541) 840-6544 | farrah@71Five.org
“Lord God, you are my hope. I have trusted you since I was young.” Psalm 71:5 ICB
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01
Feb '21
young mother
01
Feb '21
Mia is twenty-years-old and a loving mother of two, but she can only have one child at her current residence. She is very shy, living in a new city, and separated from one of her kiddos. Mia was encouraged to be a part of 71Five Parents and doesn’t miss a week. It’s been my privilege to be in Mia’s life as she navigates through this season in becoming the mother she wants to be. I was pleasantly surprised when she accepted my invitation to attend a 71Five College and Career Club Night. She stayed the whole night and engaged with others. Mia also accepted an invitation to check out 71Five VoTech… where she explored pursuing advancement in her welding skills! Mia says that she feels comfortable at 71Five and wants to try new things.
Thank you for providing opportunities like the one we have with Mia! These relationships allow us to share the hope we have because of Jesus Christ.
TERESA TONINI, 71Five Parents Coordinator
(541) 941-1143 | teresa@71Five.org
“Lord God, you are my hope. I have trusted you since I was young.” Psalm 71:5 ICB
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26
Jan '21
Given Help
26
Jan '21
I first met Jay when she was in 5th grade coming to the Phoenix Good News Club that meets at our 71Five Campus – Phoenix Youth Center. Through learning about Jesus at Good News Club over the years, she put her faith in Christ. Like so many students, this past summer and current school year haven’t been easy on Jay. She has asthma, and it’s bad, so she was stuck inside her trailer from March thru August due to the fear of contracting COVID-19. We would call often, since she was struggling with deep depression. Then in September the fires roared through our communities and Jay’s trailer became unlivable due to smoke damage. At the same time, Jay was starting her first year of middle school virtually. She and her family were thankfully given help and had a temporary living situation in a good hotel and now have a new place to live.
2020 was a hard year for many. We work with kids like Jay who have a heavy load and are in need of hope and light in their world. Jay began coming to 71Five Campus in September and every week she gets to learn more about Jesus and she always has the biggest smile on her face. We are incredibly grateful to build trusting relationships with young people and come alongside them through their highs and their lows. You give us this opportunity. Thank you!
MELANIE CIENFUEGOS, 71Five Campus – Phoenix Talent Coordinator
(541) 671-4128 | melanie@71Five.org
“Lord God, you are my hope. I have trusted you since I was young.” Psalm 71:5 ICB
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