CRM - Empowering Leaders
BE SOMEBODY
Ministry Group: InnerCHANGE
Team Members: Jenny & Nate Bacon, Jose Penate & Celida Aceves
Organization: Communidad San Dimas
Services: Advocacy for youth at Juvenile Hall, housing for young men in transition, spiritual guidance for men and women involved in gangs, drugs and San Francisco street life.
Location: San Francisco, CA, USA
People Group: Young men and women from Mexico and Central America, homeless, drug addicts, gang member
Email: nate.bacon@innerchange.org
Story: Short film clip of Rene, aka "Little Charro," describing life as a gang member
Leadership Quality: Ministry in the inner city is not easy, and what may look like a failure can also be seen as success. Sometimes direct results are not visible, yet a seed has been planted. Don't give up, don't get down, because people leave. Despite Little Charro leaving Communidad San Dimas, he learned about God during the two and a half years he was there. And God continues to use him to reach others through fellow gang members that he brought to the prayer group.
How to get involved: The greatest need is increased funding for more bicultural/bilingual staff to be mentors and walk alongside the youth.
Practical needs: Establish businesses that will simultaneously create funding for staff and job training for youth. A large number of Latino youth come to the States every year looking for work. In the process of seeking out a future, many of them are attracted to the gang lifestyle in the hopes of finding a semblance of a family. Offering an environment that provides true community and job opportunities can change the course of their future.
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