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.

 

 

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”.

 

 

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.

 

 

 

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.

 

 

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.

 

 

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!

 

 

Over 20 years ago, I used to faithfully attend a Youth for Christ outreach called “The Adventure Club.” We met every Thursday evening at the climbing wall in Ashland. I was a rebellious un-churched youth and I certainly wasn’t there for the 15 minute “Jesus talk” in the middle. 20 years later, I was sure of was the character of the man who led the group. I knew him. I trusted him. He had proven himself on many levels to be trustworthy. It helped that he was cool and that he took us to rad places like Mt. Bachelor and Mt. Bailey for adventures. 20 years later, it was his testimony that allowed me to take a leap of faith and trust Jesus for the first time. I now realize it was because I already knew Jesus, and trusted Him, because I had seen His character and love in the man who led the Adventure Club.

 

This story is encouraging to me in my line of work. There are many rebellious and struggling youths that I have to trust God with, because sometimes I don’t see fruit from our time together. My boss can relate, he used to lead the Adventure Club all those years ago, his name is Bud Amundsen. I have tears in my eyes as I write this because like many of the stories Jesus writes, it is beautiful. Thanks for making miracles like this happen through your support of this vital ministry. God bless you.

 

BEAU JESKA   71Five Justice Coordinator   (541) 779.3275   beau@71Five.org

 

I had been more careful than most throughout the pandemic, but recently I contracted Covid-19. I’m the Coordinator for 71Five Campus – North Medford youth center and working with a lot of youth every week exposes me to a lot of potential risks. The virus soon worked through my household except my oldest son. It wasn’t pleasant for anyone, but none of us had to be hospitalized and we got through it ok. During my quarantine, I relied heavily on volunteer staff to run the youth center. I’m thankful there are people willing to sacrifice their time to come week after week to minister to young people. Most of my volunteer staff come help at club right after an exhausting day of work. They have plenty of other things they could do, but they choose to do things like clean a youth kitchen, clean up after messy kids, serve food, and vacuum carpets. They demonstrate Jesus to young people who don’t know Him. They don’t get paid for their service, they hardly ever get thanked by the youth they serve, but they are definitely heroes in my book! Volunteer staff are the backbone of our ministry to lost and hurting youth.

 

Young people come to know Jesus because volunteer staff step up, even when they have had long hard days of work. I’m super grateful for all the volunteers who’ve committed to being Jesus to young people and are relied on in times of quarantine. Are you willing to get involved and serve young people? 71Five is looking for people with a heart for sharing the good news with lost and hurting youth. Please give us a call at (541) 779-3275 and we’d love to talk about how you can get involved.

 

TIM HARDY   71Five Campus Coordinator – North Medford    (541) 779-3275   tim@71Five.org

 

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