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Youth on a Mission to Help Homeless
BY MELISSA QUIRK
HIBBING — Being able to help those less
fortunate means a lot to teens who gathered at the First Presbyterian
Church Friday for a dance.
Youth in six through eighth grade share memories and have fun with
their peers, but in the back of their minds they realize there are
many teens who don’t have the same opportunities as they do.
It is their support along with high school students, who work at the
dances taking tickets and serving concessions, that they are able to
help homeless youth.
A portion of the proceeds from the dances, that are held throughout
the year, go to help homeless teens ages 16 to 21 in the community.
The church has committed $100 a month to this worthy cause.
The money provides youth in shelters and safe haven apartments with
money for living expenses, including laundry services and gift cards
for necessities at Wal-Mart.
Louanne Gibson, church youth leader, said that the youth don’t have
direct contact with the homeless. The program is set up through Range
Mental Health. She said they have been giving to this program for
about five years.
This past Christmas the youth group helped 52 local homeless youth by
giving care packages filled with supplies including a sweatshirt, hat,
mittens, socks, toiletries, and personal care items.
“A lot of time the awareness isn’t out there as to how many kids that
we have in our area that are homeless,” said Gibson. “The little that
we do at the church helps fill in the gaps.”
Gibson, who is one of five youth leaders at the church, said that one
of the important aspects of the being involved in the program is
showing kids that there are people who do need help.
“We try to teach them that giving of your own time to make someone
else life a little better makes you feel good,” she said.
She said that it is an incredible feeling to be involved in the
program and she feels blessed to be given an opportunity to work with
the youth group.
“I think they are an incredible group of young people to give up there
time like that,” Gibson said.
Students Jacquelynn Williams, a junior and Ashley Phelps, a senior,
were two of the more than dozen youth who were helping at Friday’s
dance where about 140 kids gathered.
Williams and Phelps dedicate their time helping at the dances because
they want the homeless teens to realize that they don’t go unnoticed.
“I hope they would be thankful and not ashamed,” said Williams. “And
know that there is someone that really cares about them.”
Phelps agreed.
“Hopefully they see that we care and that we don’t put them down or
anything,” said Phelps.
Williams said that the church members and other youth group teens are
all very supportive of the program.
“Everyone being here creates a stronger sense of unity in our youth
group and that we are working together for this cause,” said Williams.
“It’s fulfilling knowing you made someone safe.”
Williams said that people don’t always understand the situation or
realize that there are homeless people in the area.
“I was surprised at first when they told us there were so many
people,” said Phelps. “It really opens your eyes when you realize
there are people less fortunate. It helps you be less selfish.”
Williams said that she wishes that there was more that she could do to
help the homeless teens in the area.
“It makes me more thankful for what I have and more willing to give up
myself for others,” she said. “I’d like to think that it really helps
and I hope that we are really making a difference for people.”
She said that if other people know about the program, maybe more of
the community will get involved and help the youth.
“If we had more people imagine what more we could’ve done,” said
Williams.
More than 25 kids from the church have set a great example by
providing this mission work in the community.
“It’s good to know that our small group can help so many homeless
teens,” said Phelps. “It shows that teamwork really goes far.”
Date published: 2/27/2005
link to article in The Daily Tribune
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