Volunteers and Support
Thank you for considering volunteering and supporting the purpose and vision of Trinity's Learning Resource Center's Life Skills Enrichment Programs.
Volunteers and Supporters are very important!
It is through volunteers that we equip youth and families for successful living; helping each individual to navigate through the crisis of adolescence and life. Through this process, we have an awesome opportunity to impact the young lives and families in a positive way. Attitudes are changed. Where waywardness was evident, purpose is realized. Insignificance is replaced with significance. A lack of emotional love that was clothed in rebellion seeking acceptance, is filled with love and support.
Through this program youth are awakened to understand the realities of life. It is a place where they can grow in success, embracing purpose, value and potential.
Our generations of youth need someone to care enough to be there each week to greet them with a heart filled with love and acceptance that cares enough to ask how they are doing: in school, in their sports or other activities, how they are doing at home, etc. Many need a positive role model, because there is a high level of teens who have empty or very low level emotional love tanks which needs to be filled up through deposits of encouragement, acceptance, praise, high-fives, or a pat on the back. Some of them need someone to embrace them and tell them they missed them. It is vital that our youth's emotional love tanks are filled so that they won't feel they have to look for love in all the wrong places.
Over 32,000 Arizona youth commit suicide in 2008. What is the cause? Theory: A lack of encouragement and positive caring. We have found that youth, no matter who they are, where they are raised or what their families financial or social status is; all youth who do not receive the time, care, and positive attention needed, become "at risk" youth. Our youth just need loving, caring, positive, adult role models who are willing to spend time with them by imparting something positive into their lives that will help them in their future. We recognize the "risks factors for youth problem behaviors, which are characteristics of school, community, and family environments, as well as characteristics of students and their peer groups that are known to predict increased likelihood of drug use, delinquency, school dropout, teen pregnancy, and violent behavior among youth. Protective factors exert a positive influence or buffer against the negative influence of risk, thus reducing the likelihood that adolescents will engage in problem behaviors."(1)
For this reason we partner with parents; providing a positive learning experience by which equipping them with information, skills, and strategies that will help them to properly connect and reconnect them with their children and youth, by giving their youth what they need first emotionally, and grow success by sowing the seeds for success in their lives and that of their youth, thus providing families a hope and a future.
These youth are not looking for perfect people, but individuals who will be there on time, consistent, and who are willing to admit their mistakes, and who commit to fulfilling their word. They simply need to see positive love in action. They need you and they need me. They need a big brother or a big sister; a friend and mentor.
Is it in your heart to making a lasting change and a positive impact on the youth of our communities?
Many youth do not receive the kind of formal training and education at home where it counts the most; and they are not receiving it in school. Without these life skills, they are pretty much on their own to figure life out and making many mistakes along the way. Many, not knowing what to do and how to do it, what to say and what not to say, often succumb to peer pressure, drugs, alcohol, and gang involvement, while others turn to illicit sexual relations many of which end in unwanted pregnancies, because they are "looking for love in all the wrong places!" Their emotional love tanks are empty. Worse yet, suicide and murder have become "the way" or "end of life" for far too many. Our middle schools and high schools are filled with drugs and many young people have come to "believe" the lie that "everyone is doing it so it should be okay."
In 2008, there were estimated 974,610 juvenile’s ages 8 to 18 years in Arizona who came in contact with the Juvenile Court System (2). Out of those referred, over 50% of these youth were from Maricopa County. Out of those detained, over 48% were from Maricopa Country. More than half of the whole state’s juvenile offenses were processed through Maricopa County. And these are only the ones that got caught!
This generation is different and it appears to be on a downslide into immorality...but not just the youth...look at the seven mountains of culture and those who are currently in authority: media, education, government, business/economics, family, religion, arts & entertainment...what are our families being fed nightly on TV, the Internet, and ipods.
We believe it is due to the fact that many of this generation lack the knowledge and understanding, the Truth of the matter, as well as, the temperament or time needed to properly teach, train, prepare and develop their children for successful living. It's just not about developing skills; it's about the Truth they need to know how to live life in such a way that leads to success and prosperity, rather than to rebellion, immorality, juvenile delinquency, death and destruction. Too many parents have depended upon an educational system to fulfill their role and responsibility in teaching and training their children to become responsible citizens. It starts at home with parents teaching and training their children, and if our youth don't receive it from home, they are left to their own devices; or yet the devices of darkness that seek to ensnare them.
Too many parents have "busied" themselves or have been seduced by the circumstances to believe that they "don't have time," that they must work in order to survive. The reality is the fleshly desires of man have ensnared many to consume and this strong desire (or lust) of things has enslaved many to pursue "the dollar," "mammom." Far too many are pursuing things in exchange for their children's lives and future; or the stress and strain of life [the cares and worries of life] have "stressed them out" emotionally and physically where they are thinking only of "themselves" and "their" peace of mind and rest, and not for the care, welfare and well-being of their children. Many parents themselves are not equipped to successfully deal with daily challenges, and therefore are not equipped to teach their children. And the hard reality is these children and youth are hurting, lonely, needy, needing love, care, attention, and support in their daily lives and are found wanting...the result: there has been an increase in juvenile crime and it is linked to a lack of parental care and concern to provide the time, care, support, teaching, guidance and training that is needed. A lack of personal responsibility has produced a generation of youth who lack purpose and direction resulting in wrong associations, a lack of life vision, lack of concern, lack of knowledge and understanding in planning and preparing for successful living, and therefore unable to identify the thieves of their dreams. The pressures of the day leave parents at a loss as to what to do and where to go.
We need caring people like you who will donate 1-2 hours a week. Facilitator/Instructors will require additional time to prepare class lessons.
We need big brothers and big sisters who will be mentors; those who will commit to the youth and the program's objectives, to pray and impart the love of God, while teaching them the life skills (biblically and practically) they need to know and understand for successful living. We are asking for individuals who have the chosen to receive God's heart and mind (care, concern, and compassion) for these youth, who understand that our youth are seeking for and needing the love, care, support, and encouragement of those who will rise up and teach them the skills they need, those who will also model a positive character of integrity, and those whose desire to help equip parents & families so they are empowered to guarantee their youth's success.
All volunteer Facilitator/Instructors are trained in the program curriculum with hands-on training, aides and big brothers and big sisters, are asked to just be willing and available for the youth and assist instructors as needed, or help youth during the Big Brother/Big Sister Hour with homework, playing a game, and just hanging out with them in a positive, loving, and supportive environment.
We want you to be equipped and confident. We know that anyone with a willing and yielded heart can accomplish much in the lives of our young people.
Why Understanding the "Truth" is So Important
Our courts request that we speak the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, "so help me God", and asks us to swear on the Bible--God's Word and revealed Will. In God's Word and revealed Will, which is the TRUTH, He tells us how we can have and experience His blessings of success in life, but we must be willing to "hear and obey" the principles; the commands and instructions that lead to that experience). 1) To come to Him and listen to His Word (His Holy Spirit) and 2) allow Him (His Holy Spirit) to help us to do all He is teaching us to do. He does not expect us to do it by ourselves as He already knows that we need His power to do so. He declared that He would help us. We must only believe what He did for us through Christ, and look to Him, as our Helper and God, and to Him (His Word) for the answers we need, and not another source. The truth we know, sets us free!
"Now listen! Today, I am giving you a choice between prosperity and disaster, between life and death. I have commanded you today to love the Lord your God and to keep his commands, laws, and regulations by walking in his ways. If you do this, you will live and become a great nation, and the Lord your God will bless you and the land you are about to enter and occupy. But if your heart turns away and you refuse to listen, and if you are drawn away to serve and worship other gods, then I warn you now that you will certainly be destroyed. You will not live a long, good life in the land. Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, that you and your descendants might live! Choose to love the Lord your God and to obey him and commit yourself to him, for he is your life. Then you will live long in the land the Lord swore to give your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob." (Deuteronomy 30:15-20)
It's our decisions that determine our destiny. And the truth is that as parents, our decisions affect our children (descendants). It is God's Will and good plan that we and our children have and enjoy a life of blessing and that we have it in abundance so that we are not just blessed: "empowered to prosper," but that we are also a blessing: "Empowering others to Prosper!" Yet, it is all dependent upon our decision to "hear and obey" His Word (principles) that promise these blessings. We must learn to fulfill the conditions (follow the instructions).
This program provides both youth and parents the knowledge of those promised blessings and the principles by which to acquire them, along with the practical understanding of what they must do to have success and prosperity. It is taught and learned in a loving, caring, and supportive environment.
The Lord declared the blessing of life and prosperity on those who would be willing to hear and obey His Words, and He declared the curse would visit those who disregard, dishonor, and disobey Him. The choice was left up to us (as parents) to receive and teach them to our children.
Sin's power (unbelief, disobedience, lust for things) has been broken and no longer has power or control over us, because of what Jesus did for us all. As we "hear" and "believe" in the freedom He has provided, He enables us to live out that freedom. God extends to everyone His Covenant Blessings and the grace to obtain them, yet it is up to us whether we access them by learning and applying them to our daily lives and decision-making processes. As we yield ourselves to His Spirit (the knowledge of His Will), we are living to please the Lord and His blessing rests upon us.
Today we can see the affects of the "curse" upon so many who have not had the knowledge and understanding to honor (reverence) God's commands and instructions. This cycle will continue to perpetuate if they do not hear the Good News and receive the free gifts of God's love, grace and mercy. His love, grace and mercy teaches us to honor Him and as Father God and we soon learn to apply the life-giving and life-producing principles.
God's love is unconditional. There is nothing we can do to earn it. We are saved from sin by grace; unmerited favor. Yet it is only by faith (confident trust and believing) that we receive it. His blessings of success, prosperity, health and wholeness, on the other hand are conditionally received. Conditioned upon our receiving and accept His Covenant Promises and His commands. His Word has gone forth and it does not return unto Him void [without producing the declared results]. He declared "the blessing" upon those who honor and obey His commands and instructions. So in order to "see" and experience the blessings and manifestation of what He promised, we must be willing to do what He said.
The lack of really knowing Him, the lack of this knowledge is why so many are discouraged, disillusioned, and discouraged. They were not taught His Word and therefore do not really know His Will. They believe on Him, but expect Him to do something He never said He would do. He never said, you can live the way you want to and I will still give you whatever you want. No. He provided the instruction for living so that our lives would be happy, full of peace, rest and trust.
Grace to obtain: Choosing to accept God's grace (His unmerited favor and mercy) and love, and agreeing to hear and listen to, believe on what He says, and accept His ways of instruction (of being and doing right), committing ourselves to do what He instructs, and teaching [instructing] our children to love God by doing the same. Jesus said, "If you love me, obey me." All those who love me will do what I say. So He said, "He who has an ear to hear, let Him hear" (Revelations 2, 3, 7) the instructions by which we need to prepare our youth and re-establish the families of our communities upon.
God loves us all no matter what, but His blessings & rewards are for His obedient children. Just like any good parent. He loves all His children, but rewards those who are honorable and obedient.
He tells us how to come to this place of proper relationship....
"But what does it say? 'The Word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart" that is, the Word of faith which we are preaching, that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved; for with the heart man believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation." As Scriptures tell us, "Anyone who believes in him will not be disappointed."(Romans 10:8-10)
Our belief in Him and what He said will lead us to act, and it is our actions of faith (trust, honor, and obedience) to what He says, that God is looking for. He's looking to and fro in all the earth for faith so that He may show Himself strong (confirm His blessings) upon them who trust in Him. Some may ask "Why then do the wicked and evil get blessed?" God is rich in His mercy. He draws sinners to repentance not by condemning them and not by withholding from them, but by demonstrating His love and goodness; His grace (His unmerited favor). It's something they cannot earn. Although sin produces the consequences they experience and when they have finally had enough and want change, He's present to lovingly correct and loving chasten. And even though His chastening does not feel good, it produces His good will in them.
You may have read and heard this for the first time. If it causes you to be disheartened. Don't despair! God is good! He is faithful. You heard it today and therefore, today is YOUR DAY OF SALVATION. The day in which God has brought to you the knowledge of and understanding that He has salvation for you: Deliverance from sin and its power, new life, wholeness, divine health, peace, deliverance, wealth & provision, and well being for you. It's all available. And it's received by faith (by simply believing it and confessing it with your mouth); confessing Christ the Provision, with Your mouth and believing in your heart that God raised Him from the dead so that you may receive this new and abundant life worth living. He did not call you to die for Him, but to die to yourself (losing your life for His sake) and to receive His life as your own and allowing Him to live through you for His glory.
As we live for Him, yielding our lives to Him, He fills us with His love. His love inside flows out of us to those around us as we follow that love. His love will lead us to those who need it and those who need it will gravitate towards us, and God will help, save, heal, deliver and set free, those around us.
"Do I have to understand ALL this before I can volunteer?" Absolutely not! We are all hear to grow and learn. Come and join us, and let love fill and overflow through you!
(1) Phillip Stevenson, SAC Director, Arizona Criminal Justice Commission
(2) http://www.supreme.state.az.us/jjsd/juvenilesproce/Juveniles_Processed_FY08.pdf
