Sam's Story Continued...

Sam (name changed for anonymity) was one of three brothers who lived at Youth Horizons’ residential facility. Earnest, president of Youth Horizons, hadn’t heard from him in years when he received a call from the boy, now an adult, from across the country.

With tears of joy in his eyes, Earnest spoke on the phone to Sam, who Earnest had not heard from in years. The call came from a naval base on the east coast. Sam had just finished basic training and he told Earnest, “There isn't anybody I wanted to tell more than you that I'm doing extremely well.”

Wow. What a testament to the difference that Youth Horizons is making in the lives of children.

It had been years since Earnest and his staff had served Sam and his brothers at Youth Horizons. But on that day, in the most exciting point in his life, Sam chose to call Earnest.

“The only way we were able to help all those kids is because churches help us,” said Earnest.

Pathway's student initiative this summer will help Earnest and the Youth Horizons staff and volunteers continue to provide the mentoring and residential services to children in the Wichita area.

How YOU PERSONALLY can Partner with Youth Horizons

There are no shortage of success stories, but with Pathway's help, the list can grow. Here are specific ways you can help:

• Pray for the programs Youth Horizons leads. Both residential and mentoring.
• Donate money to Youth Horizons. This money will go towards renovating the school building on the campus of The Kinloch Price Boys Ranch residential facility. Carpentry and electrical work and many other jobs will need to be performed.  In addition, money raised will be used to purchase technology for the schooling at the ranch.  Computers, desks, maps and other supplies are needed.
  • Please Note: When you click the donate button above, you will connect to Pathway’s online giving page.  There you can log in (or click create account if you don’t have a login and password yet) and then follow the instructions to contribute to THE BIG SUMMER GIVE
• Consider volunteering your time for Youth Horizons. Volunteers can be used in a variety of ways.

“We need people who can give us two to three hours a week to give a child a chance,” said Earnest. “Pray that God will speak to people to give time to these children.”

According to Youth Horizons' website, “Eighty-Five percent of children with behavioral disorders come from fatherless homes.

Youth Horizons' mission is to break the cycle of fatherlessness.

Through one miracle after another, God has provided the people, property and always shows a way to provide every penny needed to make a difference for Wichita's at-risk kids.

Wouldn't it be amazing to be a part of this mission, to know that you're making a first-hand difference in the world around you?

To show your own children that we can be the hands and feet of God right here in our own city?

For the mentoring program, at-risk kids are referred to Youth Horizons by pastors, schools and other sources. Youth Horizons matches kids with volunteer Christian mentors who can be a positive role model and offer a caring relationship.

For more information about the mentoring provided and how you could become involved visit, http://youthhorizons.net/mentoring/.

Youth Horizons' other program is a residential program where boys are provided with a safe, structured environment to be loved, taught and raised to be confident Christian men who will lead lives that have a positive impact in their community. The residential program, featuring The Kinloch Price Boys Ranch, is detailed here http://youthhorizons.net/residential/.

It isn't an easy job, for the staff or for the kids involved. But if they're willing to take on the challenge, God can make amazing things happen.

One boy who was served by Youth Horizons years ago is now a principal in the Wichita School District.

A boy who was served in the first group home that Youth Horizons had is now following Christ's will for him as a full-time worker for Youth For Christ where he is impacting many more children for the Kingdom.

Another boy who was once in the residential program at Youth Horizons is in school in Kansas City preparing for a career in inner-city ministry.

“I hope each of you when you to know when you look at a troubled child, before he became a monster, he was a victim,” said Earnest. “Most of the children you see that are a problem have been abused by somebody. Every one of these kids has as much potential and greatness and good as they do horrible atrocities. We have to get to them first and win their hearts. You win their hearts an you can speak to their souls.”