Saturday, April 08, 2006

1000 Mentors?

"A journey of a 1,000 miles begins with one step."

Our journey to help raise up a 1,000 mentors for at-risk kids in Indianapolis schools... took another step this morning. We helped Pastor James Carter start a web-site and procure the domain-name "1000 Mentors .com".

The concept emanated from last year's Transform Indiana discussion series, "Breaking Out of the Jail Cycle". Many among the ministry network are involved in various aspects of prison ministry'... during and after incarceration. And others, like Pastor Carter, concluded that God was calling them to try to help stem the problem as far 'upstream' as possible. Help impressionable youth.

One of the forum panelists, Olgen Williams from the Christamore House, told the crowd... "The number one determinant as to the likelihood of a youth ending up in jail someday... is whether he failed to finished school."

Pastor Carter resolved to do something about that, Lord willing.

So when he heard IPS Superintendent Dr. Eugene White put out a call for mentors to come alongside at-risk IPS students, he knew what he wanted to do. He wanted the (big-C) 'Church' to provide 1,000 such mentors. A tall task, to be sure.

The Transform Indiana ministry network has joined in the effort, and brought in the founder of "Kids Hope USA" to speak at a monthly TI networking meeting. And a number of the TI networkers are helping Pastor Carter get underway.

One 'step' was to help James get a web-site started.

And that's one way we can help.

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