Heartbeats from the 'Hood

Blooming Flowers...and Lives

"Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked."

Psalm 84:10

Some time ago I told you the story of a boy in our program named Sam.  If you didn't get the story, or don't remember it, please contact me and I will send it to you.  I'd like to update you on what Christ has been doing in Sam's life since then.

Sam continued to attend The Leadership Academy sporadically until the end of May.  The school year ended and summer began.  We have a Summer Work Program at Urban Youth Impact and Sam knew about it.  He wanted to work so badly to earn money for clothes and school supplies for the upcoming school year, but was too young to apply.  Because of his desire and enthusiasm -- he put together a detailed budget outlining his expenses -- we found some things for Sam to do over the summer around our building.

Sam has done an excellent job at his work in spite of his deteriorating life situation.  He is determined to make something out of his life, and, I believe, his newfound faith.  Some of his responsibilities include watering five pots of dead plants three times a week and completing a Bible study at home each day that he works.

This morning I asked God to reveal a new side of Himself to me today.  As I walked into the office, I noticed that those previously dead plants were in FULL BLOOM again!  Grandma Pat, our Parent Program Coordinator, was standing at the reception desk as I walked in, and asked me how I was today.  I started to cry as I told her what I had just seen.  She had noticed, too.

Grandma Pat told me that as with all things that God has made, if we care for them and love them, they will bloom.  And this is true not only for the flowers outside of our building but also for Sam's life and my own!

Sometimes I long for the days of money and man's approval that I once had, but I firmly believe that being "a doorkeeper in the house of my God" is far better.

Sam's story would not be possible without you, my co-laborers in the work of God, as we "love, equip, and empower inner-city youth and their parents to fulfill their God-given purpose."

-- Candace Eastling, Volunteer Coordinator

*Sam's name has been changed to protect his privacy.         

Support UYI's $40,000 Summer Matching Gift Challenge

Did you know that the youth growing up in the inner-city of West Palm Beach are more likely to go to jail than they are to graduate from high school?  Shocking, isn’t it?  Just over the bridge from world-renowned Palm Beach, Tamarind Avenue has the highest percent of violent crime in Palm Beach County.  

But it doesn’t have to be this way!  Urban Youth Impact is here to ensure that the young people growing up in this community have another option.  We are a safe haven providing for the academic, social, physical, and spiritual needs of youth so that they will be equipped to fulfill their God-given purpose. 

We are serving 48 youth in our Summer Jam camp and had 30 students on the waiting list.  We received 62 applications for our Summer Work Program but could only accommodate 26 placements.  With so many students in our Leadership Academy returning to the program in August, we expect to be full right from the start with a waiting list of many more. 

The need is clear: Families in our community want a safe place to send their children, and they are choosing UYI again and again because of our strong programs and the difference we make in the lives of youth every day.

The demand is certain, but we often lack the supply to provide for all those who could benefit from our services.  As the economy has contracted, our donations have decreased.  To meet the growing demand for our programs and begin our fiscal year strong, our Board of Directors and special friends issued a $40,000 Summer Matching Gift Challenge.

Would you please consider making a contribution to this challenge?  We need your commitment before August 31st to leverage this great opportunity.  Your gift is critical to help us reach our goal!  You can make a secure donation online.

Thank you for your commitment to Urban Youth Impact and our mission to love, equip, and empower inner-city youth and their parents to fulfill their God-given purpose!

Students Participate in First Tee Golf Program

Students from Urban Youth Impact's Leadership Academy participated in The First Tee, a junior golf program which gives children an opportunity to develop their confidence, perseverance, and judgment through golf lessons and character education.

Summer Interns Serve UYI and the Community

This month we started our summer internship program!  Over the past year, I recruited six guys to live in the Impact House, UYI's discipleship house located on Tamarind Avenue.  Three of the six guys were born and raised in our community, and one I have mentored since he was ten-years-old.  He just graduated from high school and feels led to work in ministry!  Praise God!

These young men will spend the next three months pouring themselves out for our community.  Below are some of the things they will be doing this summer to build further relationships with our community and strengthen their individual walks with Christ:

• 5:30 a.m. prayer walks down Tamarind Avenue (Feel free to join us...it's like watching the show Cops, live!)
• Intense Bible study and memorization program (studying the four Gospels and memorizing a verse a day)
• Reading and writing about six Christian books relating to ministry
• Planning and running a month-long Vacation Bible School in our community
• Helping with Summer Jam (UYI's summer camp)
• Adopt-a-Block (serving our community by picking up trash, asking if neighbors need help, and telling people about Bow Down Church and the Community Health Center)
• Running four weekly outreaches in Dunbar Village, Twin Lakes Housing Development, and Adams Street
• Helping with setup, breakdown, and children's ministry at Bow Down Church
• Doing maintenance work at the Urban Youth Impact Dream Center  

As you can see, these young men will be stretched and challenged this summer!  Please pray that they will remain humble and diligent as they are formed into Christ-likeness.  As always, please continue to pray for our community, and pray that God will grant us access and favor as we begin these outreaches so that we can share the love of Christ.  We want to see a revival!

-- Chris Tress, Director of Ministry & Bow Down Church Pastor            

"God has been good to me..."

A few days ago, Mr. Bill received this thank you card from JoAnne Thompson, one of the ladies involved in the Parent Program.  JoAnne wanted to express her gratitude for the activities that she and her grandchildren have been a part of through UYI. Her closing statement was simple, but so true: "Keep doing the will of God.  It won't be in vain."  (Click on the card to read a larger version.)

Leadership Academy Students "Pay it Forward"

Urban Youth Impact's Leadership Academy finished its second year operating in the Dream Center on May 28th.  Just before the program ended, Steve Scalici, a long-time supporter and donor of UYI, invited all of the middle and high students in The Leadership Academy to volunteer for a mystery project.  He would not reveal any details about the project, and six brave students signed up.

Being a financial advisor, it was no surprise that Steve's mystery project ended up revolving around money. Steve met with the six students, gave them each $40, and challenged them to "pay it forward" by doing something meaningful with the cash over the summer.  In August, Steve will meet up with the six students again to hear how they used the money.

Imagine our delight when of the students, Kyren, gave his $40 to Urban Youth Impact!  He had such a positive experience with The Leadership Academy that he wanted to pay for another student's registration fee in the fall.  Now that's paying it forward!  

Pictured here: President & Founder Bill Hobbs, Kyren Owens, and Leadership Academy Mentor Rodney Cain. 

UYI Celebrates High School Grads

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From Near Death to New Life

I have seen some powerful things transpire in the lives of the youth and their families over the last couple of months.  One of those children, Erica, is 7-years-old and her father, Eric, is 24.  In March we launched our community outreach with a huge party in Dunbar Village, a housing development in the inner-city of West Palm Beach, where Erica was in attendance.

Later that night, when Eric and I dropped his daughter off at home, Eric sparked a conversation with me about matters of faith.  He said that God has been pulling on his heart and that he wanted to change his ways.

Eric told me that he had been dealing drugs and running with gangs for twelves years -- half his life. He and I talked for about 20 minutes and then I left. I later learned that half an hour later, Eric was found lying in the street.  He had been shot seven times at point blank range by a .357 Magnum.

But that wasn't the end of Eric's story.  He not only recovered from his wounds but also gave his life to the Lord!  He and I now meet twice a week for accountability and prayer.  He is truly bearing the fruit of repentance!  Please pray that God will reveal His purpose for Eric's life.  Also, please pray for his daughter, Erica.  Pray that God will keep a hedge of protection around their entire family and pour His Spirit in their hearts.

-- Ian Foxworth, Outreach Ministry    

Congrats, Ricky!

The following story was printed in Urban Youth Impact's 2007-2008 Annual Report:

In 2001 UYI organized an Impact Basketball Camp at Palm Beach Atlantic University.  Almost 100 inner-city boys signed up for the camp, including twelve-year-old Ricky Aiken.  During the camp, Ricky prayed to receive Christ.

In 2005 Ricky applied for the Summer Work Program.  He was an exceptional employee, demonstrating great maturity and leadership.  Due to his quick smile and upbeat attitude, not many people knew his personal story.  Ricky's mother was addicted to drugs at the time, so she wasn't able to care for Ricky and Farad, his little brother, as she would have liked.  Ricky and Farad took up residence in an empty house and lived off of snacks from the corner store.  Ricky eventually dropped out of high school.  The staff at UYI quickly embraced him, encouraging him to grow in his faith and not give up.

Ricky is now living at the Impact House, UYI's discipleship house in the inner-city, and working with The Leadership Academy, where he loves to be with the kids.  Ricky earned his GED in April 2008 and wants to become a firefighter.

Fast forward two years...

On May 10, 2010 Ricky graduated from the EMT Program at Palm Beach State College, so he is now more equipped to work as a firefighter!  In the inner-city, many insurmountable factors are working against young people as they pursue their dreams -- and some have no dreams at all.  We are so proud of Ricky for not only dreaming big, but also overcoming the many obstacles in his life to make his dream a reality! "Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but when dreams come true, there is life and joy." (Proverbs 13:12) 

Pictured above: Ricky Aiken (right) and his brother, Farad Cobb, following Ricky's graduation ceremony. 

More than a Conqueror

The following story is one of hope born out of heartbreak.  When Danielle* was fourteen, she went to a sports camp in Missouri called Kids Across America with other students from Urban Youth Impact.  During her time there, she disclosed to a camp counselor a painful secret: Her father had been sexually abusing her for almost four years.  We immediately notified the authorities and her father was arrested and imprisoned.

This was only the beginning of the healing process for Danielle.  Urban Youth Impact arranged weekly counseling sessions for her through the Heath Evans Family Foundation.  In addition, one of our staff members began mentoring Danielle last summer.  Both the counseling sessions and mentoring have proven to be such a positive experience for her!

Recently, Danielle shared her testimony at a Christian club at her school.  This was an emotional experience that led to one of her friends sharing her own story of abuse with Danielle.  Because of Danielle's experience and journey of healing, she felt empowered to comfort her friend.  We know that we had a significant role in her response to her friend because of the love and support we showed Danielle.  This makes us extremely grateful to God for the opportunity to demonstrate the true mission of our ministry: To love, equip, and empower.

Knowing that Danielle had shared her story at school, President & Founder Bill Hobbs invited her to do the same at Urban Youth Impact's last Board meeting.  She immediately accepted the offer, and even though it was a challenge for her to speak so openly about her past, she did so confidently and articulately.  Danielle is finally starting to believe that what someone meant for evil in her life, God will use for good!  And as God continues to bring healing and freedom to Danielle, this same healing and freedom will overflow to others around her.

Thank you for your faithful partnership and prayers for Danielle and our ministry to inner-city youth in West Palm Beach! 

* Name changed for privacy