Teens United with Churches
Martha Hart, Deacon

And God said, " love my children" -- As Christians, we believe that God sent his only Son to us that we might know that he loves each of us without limitation. We believe that every person is a child of God and is entitled by the grace of God to know and experience the love of God. We know that we have each one been called by God to love one another as God loves us. Therefore, with the help of God, we take these children into our homes and into our hearts, into our arms and into our souls in order to love them as God loves us.

This mission statement reflects the commitment by several of our parishioners, along with several members of St. Paul AME and Church of the Holy Family, to develop a faith based collaborative ministry to address the needs of local teenagers who lack safe and adequate housing and support in other aspects of their lives as well. Initial 'brainstorming' meetings early in the summer have resulted in

* the choice of a name, Teens United with Churches

* the creation of the above mission statement

* an organizational structure forming a (currently evolving) board of directors with five members from each of the three churches and five teenage members from the community representing the population to be served

* the development of preliminary short and long term goals.

Plans are to develop relationships with the Department of Social Services, school authorities, and persons working in juvenile justice to serve as referral sources. Following the identification of needs, teens will then be 'matched' with church members/families who volunteer to 'parent' and support teens in their homes on a temporary or longer term basis, providing social, emotional, and school support in a stable environment. Mentors/advocates may also be utilized for those wanting to help but who are unable to provide housing. Opportunities for parishioner involvement are forthcoming.

In the long term, funding sources will be explored for the eventual establishment of a faith based communal home supported, at least in part, by the three churches, for displaced teens to learn independent living skills in a loving and supportive setting.

Our vestry has been apprised of this new venture in ministry and encouraged its moving forward, as have the governing bodies of the other two churches. Chapel of the Cross participants include Syd and Laurie Alexander, Jay Bryan, Ellie Kinnaird, Martha Hart, Bob Millikan, and Beverly Rockhill. The Rev. Larnie Horton, Ethel Jean Jackson, Mary Jane Palmer, and Carolyn Perry represent St. Paul AME; and Darlene Kimbrough, Otis Johnson, and Toni Thomas-Feren are participants from Holy Family, as are a few teens who have attended meetings. Providing valuable assistance in coordinating the effort is JoAnn Ragazzo, an attorney in the community.

Adult group members have experienced joy and learned much about the challenges ahead with the presence and participation of the teens who attend the meetings. When one of the high-schoolers from an unstable family situation who is currently living with his local 'family' was asked to suggest specific ways folks from the churches might help young people, he answered simply, "Just love them!" Therein lies the message and the mission!