Summer Break Breathes Life
Into At-risk Children
School children
across the United States are beginning to suffer from Spring Fever! Pretty
soon they will be counting the days until summer vacation begins. Parents
will quickly try to find ways to harness their children’s energy.
Many working poor won’t be able to afford special camps or daycare,
forcing them to leave the younger generation at home alone. Unfortunately,
when these kids become bored they often turn to gang activity, drugs and
other detrimental behavior. See how Operation Blessing is helping at-risk
children in the United States make the most of their summer.
New Castle, Pennsylvania is facing
difficult economic times. Some of its’ industry has moved out allowing
poverty, violence, drugs and gang activity to move in. Dreamless youth wander
the streets looking for something to do, often getting into trouble. Dave
Rettig, Christian Sports International’s (CSI) founder, wanted to
help and held a Power Basketball Camp last summer. It dramatically changed
the lives of the young participants!
From day one the Power Basketball Camp coach captivated Hoover. Former
Harlem Globetrotter Melvin Adams’ humor came through as he instructed
the 17-year-old’s team. There was nothing fake about Melvin’s
character. Hoover grabbed a hold of the skills he learned and his coach’s
commitment for excellence in everything. He soon went on to attend LaRoche
College, did academically well his freshman year, and made the basketball
team! During summer break, Hoover plans to come back to his neighborhood
and be an intern coach for CSI’s summer 2003 program.
Almost 36,000 children participated in CSI camps and intern programs
during Bless-A-Child (BAC) 2002! CSI connects sports skill instruction,
biblical disciplines and truths for youth between 6-18. This OBI Bless-A-Child
partner operates high quality sports programs including baseball, basketball
as well as golf in schools, athletic fields and community centers. They
go to inner city and suburban locations throughout western Pennsylvania
and cities across America. “When the Gospel of Jesus Christ is presented
by someone the children emulate, respect or admire, the credibility of
the individual’s testimony has a great influence on their lives,”
said Mr. Rettig. “The programs would not have been as successful
[as they were] without the financial support from OBI. Thank you for everything.”
Bless-A-Child programs may look a lot different on the outside, but they
all provide at-risk children with critical building blocks that give them
the opportunity and tools needed to dream and succeed in life. More than
2,430 youth took part in our Wisconsin outreach center’s sponsored
activities around the Milwaukee area last summer. Take for instance a
2-month work program that Tracie Zoll oversaw. Fifteen youth, including
Evangelina, took the opportunity to earn a little money whey they served
the elderly and disabled by cleaning basements and garages as well as
did yard work. Coming from a single parent family that had five children,
the sixth grader needed the sixteen work sessions to improve on her behavior
and language issues. The team learned how to work together as well as
respect and responsibility. Each participant received lunch every workday
and at the end of the program everyone got gift certificates to Target
and personal care kits. Evangelina also received an attendance award!
Numerous children struggle at school and can’t afford to take an
entire summer off. This is one of the reasons why mentoring programs like
those in the Windy City’s Englewood, East Garfield and Anderson
neighborhoods are so important. Three hundred and forty-five children
received mentoring, food and clothing during BAC 2002! When 12-year-old
Bria came to the program in May, she was flunking school and reading at
a 4th grade level. She and the other students took part in daily Bible
study, prayer, learned in a computer laboratory, played out door sports,
had lunch and a snack as well as worked on math and reading skills. When
the summer ended, it evolved into an after school program. Bria continued
to receive one-on-one attention, and began to display self-confidence.
When she left six months later, Bria was on the honor roll and was reading
at a 12th grade level!
As you can see, Bless-A-Child addresses the physical, educational and
spiritual needs of at-risk boys and girls across the country and around
the world.
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