KALAMAZOO YFC
Summer is in full swing, and millions of young people across the country are celebrating their break from school. But for youth facing desperate home situations — abuse, poverty, or other — the summer can be a dark time. Devoid of the standard routine of school and after-school activities, students from troubled or broken homes are often in search of supportive, meaningful relationships to help them find purpose in the long summer months.
This is where Kalamazoo Youth For Christ comes in. One of Youth For Christ’s (YFC, www.yfc.net) 130+ chapters nationwide, Kalamazoo YFC actively works to provide safe spaces for youth, no matter their background or need. YFC partners with local chaplains, churches, schools and other like-minded organizations to reach youth through unconditional, authentic Christ-sharing relationships.
CREATING A SAFE SPACE
“Our staff are interacting with a lot of teens who are experiencing brokenness,” said Kalamazoo YFC Ministry Director Joe Bragg. “These teens are coming from broken homes, dealing with drug addiction, struggling with poverty, and wrestling with sexual identity. They are really trying to figure out who they are and what their place is in the world.”
“Just recently, we were driving some students home in our YFC van when a girl’s stop was next on the list,” said Kalamazoo YFC Executive Director Scott McCloughan. “She called from the back of the van, ‘Can you drop me off last? I hate being at my house.’ It was sobering to hear her verbalize these feelings of isolation and loneliness in her own home. We often hear students say that their home is not safe or suitable for them and that they long to be at YFC — a safe place with safe adults. It’s truly heartbreaking to hear, but it elevates our urgency to keep building these meaningful relationships and bring the Gospel into these desperate situations.
“The biggest need that kids struggle with is the need to understand who God is, what the Bible teaches about his love for them, and how that can impact their lives. Unfortunately, many come from homes where they don’t get to hear about the love of Jesus and therefore have no framework for the Gospel. However, these kids come to YFC with an openness to understanding who God is and how He can change their lives.”
EMPOWERED YOUTH
In order to allow teens to feel connected and empowered, Kalamazoo YFC offers the Titans Club to middle and high schoolers looking to take ownership in their faith. “The Titans are young leaders who are leading by example at our various activities,” said Bragg. “They get to engage in a leadership program that gives them a sense of ownership in the organization and makes them excited to come to YFC. They get to set the example for newcomers and are often the ones making sure that everyone follows the rules so the adults can spend a little less time supervising and more time building meaningful relationships.”
“Our goal really is to create a safe, loving, welcoming environment for kids who don’t know what that looks like. The students really help lead the way towards that goal — both the student leaders like the Titans but as well as the newcomers who really open their hearts and allow us to pour into them. It really becomes a peer-run culture—something the youth can be proud of as they grow together in Christ,” added McCloughan.
