ADDRESSING THE NEEDS OF “AT-RISK” TEENAGERS
FOR FOOD, FAMILY AND FAITH
FOR FOOD, FAMILY AND FAITH
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In America today, 1 in 4 youth - 14.3 million children are alone and unsupervised after school. The peak hours of 3 to 6 PM on school days are the prime times for juveniles to commit crimes, use tobacco, drink alcohol or use drugs.
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Being Family and Friend to any Teen in Need |
Like many communities Bellwood had a problem with groups of teenagers hanging out after school with little positive to do, and many destructive influences after them. These youth were viewed as a community problem as they congregated on corners, alleys or park areas getting into trouble. These teens were not involved in school sports or arts programs and were often abandoned to the streets after school because of difficult home situations.
The Door’s purpose is three fold. The first mission is to reach out to teens and meet their physical needs for a home cooked meal and a safe place to be. The second mission is to meet their social and emotional needs by providing a family experience and mentoring relationships. We provide a family model to be welcom-ing and caring for their needs as a total person. Our third mission is to provide for the spiritual needs of the heart. We share our faith as a part of life example in meet-ing needs and offering counsel.
The Door’s purpose is three fold. The first mission is to reach out to teens and meet their physical needs for a home cooked meal and a safe place to be. The second mission is to meet their social and emotional needs by providing a family experience and mentoring relationships. We provide a family model to be welcom-ing and caring for their needs as a total person. Our third mission is to provide for the spiritual needs of the heart. We share our faith as a part of life example in meet-ing needs and offering counsel.
We seek to connect kids to local churches youth services that welcome them. The Door is designed to reach them through solving three essential needs in the community:
1. The Need of Every Teen to be Fed.
2. The Need for Every Teen to be Part of a Family.
3. The Need of Every Teen to Find Faith.
1. The Need of Every Teen to be Fed.
2. The Need for Every Teen to be Part of a Family.
3. The Need of Every Teen to Find Faith.
The National Center for Addictions and Substance Abuse at Columbia University determined that the kids who turn out best have two things in common. 1. They be-long to a faith group like a church or youth ministry. 2. They have family dinner 3 or more nights a week. We provide that Family and Faith group for any teen in need completely free of charge. Offering our program for free requires a strong base of community support.