Since it’s a school like environment sometimes I wonder if the youth are getting anything out of the 71Five VoTech training program or if they are at least enjoying their experiences. Recently I received this message from one of my students: “Hey Jeff, I broke my foot and I’m on crutches for a while. I’m not sure if I’m going to be able to proceed with VoTech. I really like it and enjoy going to it but I don’t know if I’d be able to participate in much of the hands-on part because of my foot. I hope we can work something out because I don’t want to drop this program that I really like.” Another student’s mother wrote, “Hi Jeff! I’m so thrilled with how much Joe is enjoying VoTech. He’s mentioned how nice all the instructors are and that they’re all Christians. You men are truly influencing Joe in all the right ways. Thank you doesn’t begin.”

 

Thank you for providing a place where young people choose to come and where we as staff can provide influence in all the right ways.

 

 

I am not a big pessimist… but some days I feel like there’s an inevitable doom approaching us! Fortunately, Romans 15:4 reminds us that through the encouragement of God’s Word we have hope. One girl, when she first came to 71Five Campus in North Medford, was feeling hopeless. She’d been expelled, was committing self-harm, and was contemplating suicide. She saw no hope. Things changed when she came to 71Five Camp. She made good friends, found adults who cared for her, and started hearing the truth of God’s Word… that there is a God in heaven who loves her relentlessly. Our teens today face challenges I couldn’t have dreamed of as a young person. But there really is hope. We have the promise that no matter what we go through, God loves us and offers us eternal life with him. Don’t you wish all young people knew that? What a difference it would make in our world.

 

That’s why 71Five exists… “We exist to share God’s story of hope with young people, through trusting relationships, in any relevant way.” Would you like to be a part of that mission? Give us a call. We’d love to share ways you can bring young people hope.

 

 

We were mountain biking in Ashland when one of the kids stopped in front of a complicated section of trail. He looked back at me with the “Oh crud, bro!!” look. I stopped behind him as he started to freak out a little about the difficult section of trail, and as he stammered on about how he thought he couldn’t do it. I got him calm and told him to “Ease the breaks, Bubba!” His eyes said, “Are you serious?” then he looked at the trail and made his way down. The young person’s life may not have changed drastically during this brief exchange, but he sure gained confidence on the mountain, and we built a little bit of trust.

 

71Five exists to share God’s story of hope, with young people, through trusting relationships, in any relevant way. Thanks for providing a little bit of trust that opened the door to change.

 

 

Jamie was a “wild child” when she first showed up at club, full of energy with a bit of aggression. Through time and some loving discipline, volunteers were able to sit with her, play with her, and up to a point give her small tasks. Their endless love and kindness broke through Jamie’s rough exterior and now when she eagerly wants to help, she’s responsible and attentive rather than wild and careless. Working with youth is challenging, but what makes the challenge worthwhile is the reward of knowing you’re making a true difference in the life of a young person. Whether it’s sharing God’s story, your day, or simply joining in on a game at a youth club, you can be sure you are making an impact.

 

If you aren’t already, would YOU consider becoming a volunteer and working with the youth in our communities? The perfect time is now and I’m excited to announce our Come & See the Opportunities at 71Five event on June 4th! We’ll have food, fellowship, and great information about all of our youth programs. Come & See will be hosted at Station 71Five (1241 8th Street in Medford) on Sunday June 4th from 5-7pm. We will be serving a delicious Italian dinner; you won’t want to miss it! We hope to see you there and bring a friend!

 

 

 

 

 

Just over a year ago we started a new training session. I was talking to the mother of a young lady who was going to join the class. She relayed to me her daughter was not attending school and was really done with the school process. When Bella showed up in class, she had very colorful hair and a few piercings. I am not sure if she colored her hair to match her clothing or bought clothing to match her hair. After class we were chatting, Bella said, “I don’t want to go to school because I can’t stand high school students!” She told us one story of her trying to weld in class one day and the other students were taking her personal welding tools and hiding them around the shop. Further along in the conversation Bella said, “I love to be here at VoTech because you all treat me like a real person.” I was taken aback that anyone would not treat this young lady as a person. She has shined in the 71Five VoTech Training. She even rescheduled a surgery so she could complete Phase 1 of our program. After she recovered from the surgery, she came back on a leg scooter to participate in our welding track. She was given the task of building four window grates for the Salvation Army building in Medford. She sat down and designed the grates herself and with the help of a volunteer constructed a jig to make welding the bars easier. Recently, with pride, she installed the last bolt to mount the grates to the building. We’ve seen an amazing turn around in Bella’s life. Not only has she been working on her welding skills here at VoTech, working part time at a local restaurant, she is also just a few credits short of graduating a year early from high school. We are collecting information on the projects she’s accomplished here at 71Five VoTech for her transcript and it should put her over the top for graduation.

 

Your prayers and gifts are changing the lives of young people like Bella in Jackson and Josephine Counties. Thank you!

 

 

Julien is always excited to come to 71Five Campus in Eagle Point every week. He loves playing outdoor sports, group games, and other fun activities we usually have each Friday night, but he also loves learning about Jesus through the weekly messages we share about the Bible. One evening I felt prompted by the Holy Spirit to stray from my notes and share something else. I don’t even remember what I said, but Julien did. Before he left that night, he told one of the other helpers, “Peter’s message really touched my heart.” A few days later when I saw him, he was very intentional in asking how I was doing and making sure I was doing well. He said, “I remembered what you said last week about checking in on people and listening to them.” Well let me tell you, THAT touched MY heart!

 

We don’t always know the impact we are having in the lives of kids, but God will always work through the faithfulness that you and I walk in. Whether it’s volunteering with youth or partnering financially, thank you for what you are faithfully doing to promote positive change in our community.

 

Recently during a discussion at 71Five City’s Middle School Club, we asked a question: “What’s the one thing you would ask God if you had the chance?” It ranged from the usual wishes for cool toys, superpowers and material possessions. Then Jack raised his hand and said, “I would ask for my mother to come back!” (Jack’s mom passed away recently.) A lot of young people are wrestling with the deep questions of life, not just superficial ones, but questions with such aching pain.

 

You are providing the only answer that truly matters, that death and pain do not have the final say in this young man’s life. Every promise of God find a BIG Yes in Jesus! [2 Cor. 1:20] We have this extraordinary privilege together with you to build bridges of trust so hope can travel into every dark place of pain! Thank you for going with us into these places, which are incredible opportunities, to speak into these young people’s lives right where they are, in the pain and brokenness, with the only true hope of God!