Streetpasstv Ministry for At-Risk Youth

Streetpasstv Ministry For At-Risk Youth

Mission

At Streetpasstv, we recognize the importance of helping the next generation for Jesus Christ. Passing this faith to the youth is both a great responsibility and an incredible privilege. We are advocates for our At-risk youth helping them to become productive citizens and to reach their own generation and the world around them

Vision

Our vision for the Youth is to develop a community of young people who are experiencing the joy of a relationship with God, who recognize God's purpose for their lives, and who seek to know God more. We desire our youth to make Him known to others while simultaneously building healthy friendships and experiencing meaningful fellowship. In general, we desire our Youth Ministries to enhance what parents are doing at home, but not entirely replace it. We will provide regular evaluation to ensure that our primary focus is achieved.

Saving At-Risk Youth by Mentoring

The youth, it is said that they are the hope of the new generation. But what happens if at an early age they fall victim and/or exposed to a society that is plagued by racial discrimination, use of illegal drugs, pornography that led to rape and unwanted pregnancies, robberies, gang wars in schools that cause death by shootouts, and to many to mention and indeed very depressing. This is the society that youth today see everyday. It is a reality and a sad fact that we must accept as part of our daily lives. What can we do to lessen the effects of the ills of society to our youth? Saving at-risk youth by mentoring may just be the answer, it may not eradicate the problem at once, but it is a start.

Mentoring our children does make a huge difference. It is a way to reintroduce a positive regular activity by a grown-up to a child. Children who are mentored while growing up are unlikely to succumb to using illegal drugs, unlikely to start depending on alcohol, and unlikely to miss out school. If we incorporate mentoring in our home, school and even the church it can, and it will help greatly in decreasing the cause and effect of suspension due to the use of illegal drugs, crimes related to drugs, babies born who are drug affected and possibly more. It is just a matter of how we really want to help eradicate the problems of our youth.

At-risk children badly need the guidance and friendship that youth mentors give. A child will definitely yearn for adult support when faced with parent’s divorce, family heartbreaks, and financial troubles. These children need mentoring with their family problems, school works, peer pressures or just someone who would listen and give an unwavering support.

Primary Causes for At-Risk Youth

Prison/Juvenile Corrections System

Prison/Juvenile Corrections System for youth who are released from juvenile corrections facilities, many become homeless because they lack support systems and opportunities for work and housing.

Foster Care Studies

Foster Care Studies estimate that 20% of youth who arrive at shelters came directly from foster care, and more than 25% had been in foster care in the previous year. These youth age out of the foster care system and are discharged with no housing or income support.

Teen Substance Abuse

Substance Abuse in the Home Others are running away from alcohol and drug abuse in the home. More than 40% of homeless youth report that one or both of their parents had at some point received treatment for alcohol, drug, or psychological problems.

Teenage Run Aways

Some homeless youth have run away from homes where they were the victims of physical, sexual or emotional abuse. One study reports that more than 4 in 10 youth report being beaten by a caretaker, and a quarter were either sexually abused or feared being sexually abused.

Teenage Pregnancy

Pregnancy is large number of homeless young women either ran away or were kicked out of the home due to pregnancy. A tenth of homeless and runaway girls are reportedly pregnant.

Sexual Orientation

Other homeless youth are forced to leave home because of their sexual orientation. As many as 25% of LBGT teens are rejected by their families, and many end up homeless on the streets.

No Family Support

Neglect and lack of emotional and financial support from their families can also cause youth homelessness.

Mentally ill Youth

Mentally ill youth may end up homeless because they don’t have access to supportive housing and/or other treatment services.