Organization: Youth For Christ

Project: Programming for area youth

Report: According to a press release, the support Youth For Christ has been given through the foundation has helped many young lives in many different ways.

To date over 1,200 youth have attended a program either before or after school, in rooms the organization rents in the school, or at The Rock. The group has 14 paid staff in the Albert Lea area and many volunteers. It takes over $30,000 a month in donations to meet the budget for the Albert Lea location.

South Central Minnesota Youth for Christ is a 501c3, faith-based nonprofit and are a part of the national and international organization of Youth For Christ. The group is governed by a board of directors of which there cannot be more than two from any one church.

The organization works to reach kids, changes lives and develop leaders. A lot of the work with youth at The Rock is done in the context of the Youth For Christ City Life program, which focuses on many areas of a young person’s life.

Due to the funding the organization has received:

148 kids went to camp and on trips

Over $20,000 was raised for scholarships that youth earned

20 youth went to out of town events

Over 2,000 meals were served last summer to kids

4,000 meals were served last school year

1,600 loaves of bread were given to youth

4,200 sandwiches or snacks were served last year

500 small group meetings took place

180 club meetings took place

Rides were given to school for youth who had missed the bus

Youth were provided with toothpaste/toothbrushes and other personal hygiene products

The organization worked with area schools to assist in improving grades and behavioral issues in youths attending programs

Provided homework help

Helped with clothing needs for the kids

Gave out Bibles to kids who needed them

3,600 donuts and 5,000 muffins were served at breakfast clubs

Work projects were organized, such as cleaning ditches

They worked with 29 youth doing community service with court services

1,200 different youth attended a program somewhere during the last school year

12 kids participated in the art program

26 students participated in the grade school reading program

20 youth took part in two cooking clubs

Leadership training was provided.

According to a press release, every ministry of Youth For Christ sseks to engage young people whever they are found as lifelong followers of Jesus Christ.