Long Island Youth Mentoring

LI Youth Mentoring February Newsletter
02/01/2007

Feb 1 , 2007

HELP US SAVE A CHILD

THE MIRACLE OF A BUDDY

As I sat in the kitchen interviewing 9 year-old Denzel* and his mother, my eye was drawn to something dark moving on the pale yellow wall. While keeping eye contact, and listening to this mother and son, I kept glancing at the progress of what I now realized was a roach making its way from the floor all the way up toward the ceiling.

Denzel had been referred twice, by two different agencies. The first was a nurse at a local hospital where he had been evaluated after saying for the second time that he wanted to kill himself. Can you imagine, I had no one to match him to. Months later, while still on the waiting list, he was referred again by a counselor who described Denzel as a bright, artistic child who likes to read out loud, loves math, and is desperate for one to one attention. I was told that his single mother of five is working and is understandably, overwhelmed. Denzel was also described as being ADHD, having no friends and getting in fights in school. Read more...

When is Eugene Coming?
By Derek Prezzano
North Shore Area Director

Some of the life circumstances that we, at LIYM, are involved in are hard to imagine and believe. However, God in his grace allows us to be part of his answer for healing in a young person’s life.

Ten-year old Bobby* had never gone to school. He grew up with parents who were involved in a cult that did not believe in formal education. Unfortunately, this is a cult where the leader has recently been incarcerated for 57 counts of sexual assault. Six months ago, Bobby’s mother committed suicide. Shortly after that, his father, severely addicted to drugs and alcohol, left Bobby to be raised by his Grandmother and does not have any contact with Bobby. Consequently, as you would expect, Bobby is currently dealing with some very serious issues. Also, as a result of never having gone to school, he is reading at a 2nd grade level. It is hard to imagine a case where a mentor could be more valuable than this one.

On December 11th, 2006, God gave me the wonderful opportunity to match Bobby and Eugene* in a mentoring friendship. Eugene is a godly man who already feels great compassion and love for Bobby. Even now, it is clear that Bobby feels the love that Eugene has for him. According to his grandmother, each week Bobby asks at least five times “when is Eugene coming.”

On the day of their first meeting, Grandma took a picture of Bobby and Eugene. One week later, on their second outing, Bobby gave Eugene a gift. It was a frame with Read more

Misfit Missy

Sandy is ten, big for her age and seemingly unaware that her joyfully, yet aggressive ways are not received well by her peers. She has no friends, and is desperate to change that. Sandy is one of over a hundred children on our waiting list.

Recently, Sandy and her Mom started going to church. This week I had lunch with their new pastor. I asked if he would find this child a mentor. He smiled knowingly at the mention of her name.

“Sandy is a tough one. She just does not fit in any of our other programs. She does not fit in youth group or Sunday school. Believe me, we have tried. But she does not fit. We even cast her as Mary in last month’s play. At the first service, she forgot her line, got embarrassed and while running off, she pushed between the wise man and the speaker stand. The speaker came crashing down onto the communion table. I jumped up, and stood up the speaker. Then I whispered to the youth pastor to figure something out because I do not want Sandy messing up another service.

After we muddled through the play with the director reading rest of Mary’s lines, we had communion. I stood behind the table and looked down. The cross on the top of the cover of the bread tray was crushed flat on the dented silver. My flash of Read more

Sign up for Run For Youth

We will be holding the annual Run For Youth on May 12th at Robert Moses State Park & Beach, Field 2. Please sign up.

$65 sends a Mom or a teen to Christian conference

Kingdom Hearts is a ministry here on Long Island that is run by Gloria Orr and a very gifted committee. It puts on a conference that draws 800 – 1200 woman each year and that is a huge feat on Long Island.

This year their speaker has particular interest to me in that she grew up with a testimony that will resonate with the mothers of the kids we minister to. Carol Kent is a popular international public speaker best known for being dynamic, humorous, encouraging, and biblical. She is a former radio show co-host and has often been a guest on Focus on the Family.

We host breakfasts and send moms to conferences in order to encourage them while exposing them to God’s light through His people and to present the gospel. We have found that when kids come to know the Lord their lives change. When the mothers come to know the Lord, families change.

The cost to send one match of mentor and mom or mentor and teen is $65 which includes lunch. Please pray about how you will invest. You can support this ministry by clicking here.†

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