Young Life offers a positive message for teens
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Every classic teen movie is full of stereotypes - the brain, the jock, the airhead, the skater- and the troubles kids have when their various cultures clash.
But what makes the movies so funny or so poignant is that no matter how outrageous, there's more than a bit of truth to them. Navigating junior high and high school can be awkward and tough as you're caught in that limbo between childhood and adulthood.
The teens in Young Life know that regardless of who they are at school - the cheerleader, the geek, the thespian, the goth - they have a network of like-minded friends and supportive adults who will help them steer around the possible pitfalls.
Young Life Naperville/Aurora invites teens to explore their Christianity and develop their own morals and values as a source of strength to make healthy, constructive decisions.
Rob Hankins, Young Life Naperville/Aurora area director, and Kim Putbrese, a member of the Naperville North Adult Support Committee, explain the program.
Q. What is Young Life's mission?
A. Young Life's national mission statement is: Introducing adolescents to Jesus Christ and helping them grow in their faith.
Locally our vision is to walk alongside Naperville Unit District 203 and Indian Prairie Unit District 204 high school and junior high kids throughout the turbulent years of adolescence, build mentoring friendships and teach them to make wise and healthy decisions in a constructive atmosphere based on Christian principles. Our curriculum includes teaching on morality, integrity, sexual abstinence and drug-free living.
Q. How do you work toward accomplishing that?
A. We use the following tools:
Contact work: This is the heart of what we do. Contact work is simply going to wherever the kids are - school, games, Chipotle, Starbucks, etc. - and spending time developing relationships with them.
Club: Every Wednesday night in Naperville between 30 and 200 kids will gather per school in a private home. Here they will get a message about Jesus mixed with music and humor in a safe environment where they feel loved and cared about no matter what.
Campaigners: This is a weekly Bible study also held in homes around Naperville and Aurora where kids with a large range of religious and Biblical knowledge can come, learn, ask questions and investigate what the Bible says and how they can apply it to their lives today.
Camp: Our camps attempt to give every kid the "greatest week of their lives." Through challenging activities, crazy games, a lot of free time to develop relationships with their friends and a clear presentation of the gospel, we aim to give kids a week that is often life transforming.
Q. When and why did Young Life start? How has it grown?
A. Young Life began in 1940. Young Life Naperville/Aurora started in 1968.
Currently more than 1,300 kids in Districts 203 and 204 are active in Young Life, attending weekly meetings, special events or camps.
We have just launched a new program called Access, which is dedicated to serving high school students with mental and physical disabilities by giving them a chance to experience fun and adventure, to develop fulfilling friendships and to challenge their limits while building self-esteem through club, camp and other exciting activities.
Q. What kind of success have you had?
A. Everyday our staff and leaders are encouraged by the feedback that they get from the young men and women they connect with in this community. Recently one of our staff related a story of a young woman who told her how thankful she was to feel accepted by the Young Life kids and leaders from her school. She was a new high school student and had found it very difficult fitting in anywhere, but at Young Life she finally felt like she belonged and that someone accepted her for who she is.
Adolescence is a difficult time for kids in which they form their identity, character, self-worth and value system that will shape the rest of their lives. They are making hard decisions about drugs, alcohol, sexual activity, etc., in the midst of tremendous negative peer pressure. At Young Life we are reaching out to this population in a relevant way, providing them with good role models and communicating a message of acceptance for all.
The fact that so many of our busy, overbooked young people choose to take time out of their hectic schedules to attend Young Life is the greatest testimony of our success that we could have.
Q. What challenges does Young Life face?
A. We're concerned about how the economic times will affect our giving (Young Life is funded entirely by the communities we exist within). A new school opening up (Metea Valley High School is scheduled to open in District 204 in August, 2009) will mean creating another team of adult leaders to serve that school if Young Life is to happen there. Along those same lines, it is always a struggle to find adults who want to really invest in the lives of high school and junior high kids.
Q. What would surprise most people if they spent a week with Young Life?
A. Just one evening at one of our four Club events around town would probably surprise and encourage anyone who attended. Imagine driving up to a typical Naperville home. As you park, 30 to 40 other cars are looking for parking as well. Kids of all sizes from freshmen to seniors come tumbling out of the car doors laughing, talking and mingling. Once inside, shoes are kicked off, forming an incredible mountain by the front door and everyone heads for the basement. Football players are talking to theater kids, blondes are taking to kids with flashy red-dyed hair. Age, grade, gender and school stereotypes are left at the door with the shoes as these kids begin a night of singing, funny skits, laughter and a meaningful message that most every parent would love their kids to hear day in and day out. What would strike the newcomer most I think would be the acceptance and the wholesomeness that we have become jaded to in our world. And I believe that anyone who left that home that night would say, "Wow! I wish I had of known about this Young Life thing sooner."
Q. How can readers get involved?
A. We are always looking for adult support from any of the area high schools. Each high school has an Adult Support Committee. Because we are funded 100 percent by donations, we are always excited by any gift that would help us continue to work and grow in Districts 203 and 204. Attending our Fall Banquet on Sunday, Nov. 2, would be great, and we have our annual Golf Marathon in the spring. Our offices are located within the Harvest Bible Chapel building at 1805 High Point Drive, Naperville, IL 60563, or call (630) 505-1815 and talk to our area director, Rob Hankins, for more information.
We will also have an "Eat and Earn" for Young Life evening hosted by La Sorella di Francesca in downtown Naperville on Wednesday, Nov. 12, after 5 p.m., when 10 percent of the proceeds will be donated to Young Life Naperville/Aurora.
Vital statistics
Annual budget: $320,000
Sources of funding: Individual donations, some donations from churches and groups such as the Rotary and Exchange clubs
Number of employees: 4 full-time, 2 part-time
Number of volunteers: 35 adult volunteers who work directly with students; 60 others who serve on Adult Support Teams
Current donation wish list: Property for an office/meeting space; handicap-accessible van, high-quality costumes and wigs; foam machine
To donate: 1805 High Point Drive, Naperville, IL 60563
To volunteer: (630) 505-1815 or judy@ylchicago.com
Info: (630) 505-1815 or naperville.younglife.org
<p class="factboxheadblack">Young Life Fall Banquet</p> <p class="News"><b>When:</b> 6 to 8 p.m. Nov. 2</p> <p class="News"><b>Where:</b> Calvary Church, Route 59 at 83rd Street, Naperville</p> <p class="News"><b>Cost:</b> Free</p> <p class="News"><b>Details: </b>Casual dinner will be a "Game Day" tailgate theme, with games, a silent auction, a presentation about Young Life and socializing with kids, leaders and adults</p> <p class="News"><b>RSVP:</b> (630) 505-1815</p>