This 'n' That

Thanks to all who made the Ohio Golf Outing a success on Saturday!  You can find some photos of the day here.  Just under $12,000 was raised to benefit Aim Right.

 Staff from Youth Haven Ranch in Picacho, Arizona, are traveling to Phoenix tomorrow to put on a Kids Club program for us.  Excitement is high!  We are grateful for their willingness to come and share with our kids.

 

Artful Expressions is a fall event Aim Right is hosting on November 6-7.  Music + spoken word + comedy + coffee & dessert = a great time, for a great cause.  RSVP soon to reserve the evening of your choice (clicking on the flyer will enlarge it for readability).

 

 

We're grateful for Cakes for Causes partnering with us in this event.  Baking for non-profit causes is their passion, and they are on deck to provide a lot of yummy items for the dessert buffet.

 

I did not get a photo of last night's packed-out teen Bible study, but 35+ teens were in attendance (possibly a record for a Monday evening!).  There were at least two van loads of teens picked up, plus a number who came via their skateboards.  Ro (pictured below) did a great job of sharing about the parable of the talents and his personal journey with Christ. 

 

Since this is a highly transitional area, with families moving quite often, it is not unusual to lose touch with kids or teens that may have been involved in Aim Right programs at one time.  That happened with two brothers several years ago, when they moved away from the Projects, and we did not know where they had relocated.  Guess who came to Bible study yesterday evening?  One of those boys, who is now 15.  His name was fresh on my mind since I had just been going through our Youth Haven files yesterday and found the brothers as campers who went there in 2009.

 

Issues in the News

From time to time, I come across issues in the news that I think are significant, especially as they relate to at-risk children and teens.  Being knowledgeable about these issues can give insight into how to compassionately care for and guide struggling youth, along with building awareness of what temptations they most likely face.

When to Talk to Kids About Alcohol - It might be sooner than you think.  Within an urban context, I would bump the age even lower.  In an urban setting, kids are exposed to much more at younger ages.

How Poverty Affects Brain Development - The University of Wisconsin has completed a study on how extreme poverty affects children's brain development.  The article bears this out, but it is really the social factors typically associated with extreme poverty in America that contribute to this:  a high-stress, unstable home environment; violence; poor nutrition; and limited experiences and stimulation. 

Marijuana.  It's already legal in Arizona for medical purposes.  There is a strong push to legalize it recreationally as well.  Here are some articles that I believe are worth reading.

The Legalization of Marijuana:  What Christians Should Know (by a former LA police lieutenant)

Marijuana, Teenagers, and Youth Ministry (by Greg Stier of Dare 2 Share)

Study: Daily Marijuana Use Among College Students at Highest Rate in 35 Years (what is happening now that young people view marijuana as "safe")

Aim Right North Community Night

Aim Right North resumed its Community Night event on Friday.  The large inflatable slide was a big hit, along with hot dogs and other games and activities.  You can find more photos of the evening on our Facebook page.

 

Back in Business: Mobile Pantry

I am getting ready to hit the pavement and spread the word that The Mobile Pantry is back!  We get quite a few calls about our monthly food distribution program; the community will be grateful it is returning after a two month break.

If you know a needy family that lives near downtown Phoenix, please tell them about this opportunity.  Food is given out until it is gone; they should arrive early, bring containers, bags, or boxes to carry the food, and be prepared to wait in a line.  Families always receive fresh fruits and vegetables, along with other miscellaneous items such as items from grocery story bakeries, drinks,  or processed foods and snacks.  We never know exactly what food items there will be until the truck pulls up early in the morning to deliver the food.  No ID is required, although we ask that only one person per family goes through the line.