Staying In School: How Two Faith-Based Initiatives in Phoenix Are Keeping High-Risk Teens on the Path to Success

Staying In School: How Two Faith-Based Initiatives in Phoenix Are Keeping High-Risk Teens on the Path to Success

By Amy L. Sherman (Sagamore Institute Faith in Communities, 2004)

Sunny Phoenix is the site of two successful faith-based initiatives encouraging school retention by high-risk Hispanic and Native American youth. Neighborhood Ministries operates the “I Can Do It” program, an impressive, multi-faceted partnership with over 30 public schools. New Beginnings Church has launched its own charter high school, James Sandoval Prep, offering a “family-feel” small school that is succeeding with kids tossed out of traditional public schools.

This in-depth case study describes the background and development of these programs, the challenges they have faced, and the lessons learned.