The need is so great here in the inner-city with at-risk youth, but it is amazing how quiet the response has been. It seems like every program we create gets completely filled, and Urban Impact is not the only one creating programs in Pittsburgh. Many local churches, the Heinz Foundation, and other organizations have programs to help youth. I'm sure these are getting filled as well. The thing that really amazes me is who isn't helping.
Last week was the first day of the Spring Performing Arts Academy. Student registrations have poured in for the program ever since the last day of the fall semester. Parents and children are still asking how they can get in the classes. I'd like to think this is because I rock a putting together a program, and Urban Impact is ridiculously popular, but that isn't it. Students have few other options. The can't afford acting or art lessons in the downtown cultural district. Quite frankly, many families can't/don't pay our $20 registration fee for the whole semester, and that's okay. What is not okay is having parents come into our offices out of breath because they ran to make sure their students weren't put on the waiting list.
You may ask, "Why have a waiting list?" At Urban Impact we know the arts, basketball, education, soccer are all great but, try as they might, will not transform, renew, and redeem a person. Basically, the only thing that does all those amazing things is God through his son Jesus, but I digress. (If you want to know more about God or Jesus read the Bible, go to church, or ask your token passionate christian friend.) So, in order to really change lives Urban Impact wants to mentor kids holistically by caring for them physically, educationally, emotionally, and spiritually. To do this we stick to a 1:6 ratio of adult volunteers to students. Urban Impact has found that if this ratio is not kept students are not helped but hidden in a group.
We have a waiting list because volunteers are not responding. And when I say not responding I mean they are not returning my emails or calls. It is easy to say, "Yeah, what you're doing sounds awesome. I want to volunteer." But actually doing it, that takes a little initiative. I am guilty of this as well. (Sorry for not returning your emails.) It does take effort to volunteer, but the reward trumps the effort, stress, and frustration ten fold. Having kids you barely even know run up an hug you in the grocery store or teens yell at you across the public library is ridiculous, embarrassing, but most of all heart warming. I don't want to turn any child, teen, or parent away. I don't want a waiting list. Please pray for volunteers, instructors, and mentors to find their way to Urban Impact.
Matthew 9:37...
Prayer Request:
- Urban Impact Volunteers
- Spring Semester of the PAA
- Mentors for Ty, Ahmad, DJ
- Meghan Peterman (Just left Urban Impact to work in the slums of India)
- New Urban Impact Missionaries raising support
- Laura and I as we try to follow God the best we can.
Thank you all for your continued prayers. I hope to update you next week on the Urban Impact Zombie Killing Team.
