JoyWedan's blog

In August, we watched the Olympics.  We watched some of the world's greatest athletes compete to win gold medals and beat world records.  How exhilarating it was to see Michael Phelps win the gold by a 100th of a second, and Usain Bolt of Jamaica run so fast that his competitors didn't seem to stand a chance!

The competition got me thinking about the race we're participating in.  No, there is no gold medal at the end, and there is no world record to beat.  In this race, there is seldom fame and product endorsements that will ultimately pay out big. 

The most recent issue of SAY Yes Centers National eNewsletter shared some interesting statistics from the 07-08 school year:

• Across the nation, there were 177 SAY Yes Centers, an increase of 24 centers.
• 4520 children attended SAY Yes! Centers.
• 24 SAY Yes! Launch Trainings occurred through Here's Life Inner City -double from the previous year.

  • Unfortunately, 20 centers closed due to lack of funds, space, or volunteers.

I recently viewed the movie Freedom Writers. There is a scene where this inner-city teacher's father encourages his daughter to stay focused by communicating to her that she had been "blessed with this burden".

Here's Life Inner City, a division of Campus Crusade for Christ, equips urban churches to operate youth after-school programs called SAY Yes! Centers (Save America's Youth Yes!).  Here's Life Inner City (HLIC) provides training for how to start and run a center, as well as Bible lesson curriculum, tutoring resources, and ongoing support.  There are SAY Yes! Centers located in cities across the country and every SAY Yes! Center looks quite different, as it is operated by the local church.  Some programs are big, serving 100 or more kids.  Some are small, serving a handful of kids.  Some operate 5 days a week, some operate one day a week.