I found that the majority of my frustration came from trying to get some of the youth to understand they did not in fact have it all or know it all. Of course there were many exceptions. And now I find myself on the flip side working with inner city kids.
Not only are these inner city kids aware that they don't have it all, but they hunger and thirst for it. The problem is...what is "it"? Most of these kids are growing up without a stable father figure in their home. Many are being raised by a single parent or grandparent. Some of these kids are exhibiting things such as extreme anger issues, sexual relationships at young ages, skipping school, stealing, gang involvement, failing grades. They are pursuing all of these things to try and fill a void that many of them have don't realize they are trying to fill with these various things.
I came across a news story today on Google that ABC News did on the 5 worst cities for Urban Youth.
The number 3 city was Atlanta.
It said, "At 44% the City of Atlanta boasts one of the nation's lowest graduation rates. The Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice reports that for Atlanta's Fulton County, African-American youth made up over 93% of total intake for unique youth served for criminal offenses. The Atlanta Department of Police's Gang Unit has identified some 50 youth gangs in the city."
This is a major result of a "Fatherless Generation", the lack of a stable male (or sometimes even female) role model. I also know of kids shuffling from relative to relative, to hotel, to car...because they don't have a stable home environment. When you have an unstable home life...this too is going to effect a student's grades, emotions, identity, and ultimately the path they choose to take. That is why we do what we do. We want to make a difference in these kids lives. We want to be consistent role models. We want to create a tutoring program, attend their games at school, invite them into our home. As Larry Acosta from the Urban Youth Workers Institute told me on a conference call today, "You need to help them have a vision that is bigger than their current reality."
Thankfully, there are some men in Atlanta who recognize this need and have created a Conference called "Man Up 2012". Details can be found HERE. Basically it is intended for youth and men living in the urban areas. In fact, for my Savannah friends, one of Bull Street's very own SCAD graduates and member of the 180 college ministry family, Adam Thomason, is one of the speakers! It's so awesome to see old friends doing great things for God. The following is from the Man Up Website:
THE PROBLEM
There's an ongoing war within urban culture. Confusion over what manhood is has plagued our cities, families and lives. The concept of a biblical man has been lost in our generation. Unfortunately, many churches struggle to provide its urban members, much less those beyond their walls, with a tangible definition of a real man.
THE CAMPAIGN
ReachLife Ministries in partnership with Reach Records, Man Up is a new campaign, calling men in the hip-hop culture to true biblical manhood through repentance and faith in Christ. It is our call for men in urban culture to repent for their failure to become the men that God has created them to be and for believers to live as who they truly are in Christ.
Reach Records and Man Up have graciously responded to our request for scholarships for a limited number of our youth to attend. However, we would like to bring as many of our youth and men enrolling in our Urban Training Institute as possible. The cost for each individual is $50. When I say the opportunity for these youth and men to attend could have a life long impact....you have no idea just how important it could be. I am on a campaign to raise money to fill up a bus of men to go on this trip. If you feel led to sponsor a youth or man to go to Man Up 2012, your donation can be tax deductible. Consider "Donating your Date or Dinner." That's about what we typically spend on a date on for dinner and a movie these days. Tell the person you love you'd rather have a night in and invest in the life of a young man. How simple and meaningful is that?
Please pray about having an incredible hand in helping these guys be given hope in what is a hopeless situation in many of their eyes. If you feel led to sponsor one or many, please let me know by emailing me at: morgan@rescueatlanta.com And I can tell you how to make out the checks and where to send it. Thank you in advance for your support and prayers.
I'll be blogging soon about some exciting upcoming events at Rescue Atlanta as well as some big dreams I have that may be coming into fruition.
Stay Tuned.
For His Renown,
Morgan
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