I first met Gloria in high school, where she stood out with her dyed hair and unfiltered, feisty attitude. Although she often clashed with others, I could tell she had a softer side, especially when she joined our girls’ group on campus. This is a collaborative program, hosted by a high school teacher who shares our passion for reaching and empowering young girls in Christ who are walking through challenging circumstances. Over time, we built a connection with Gloria, and I invited her to a YFC event where she heard the gospel for the first time. She was deeply moved and began attending our YFC City Life Club regularly.
However, because of an issue at school, she was eventually transferred to another school and we lost touch for a bit but reconnected by offering her a summer job at our YFC City Life center. During that time, we invited her to our collaborative STEAM* Summer Camp in the inner city.
Gloria opened up about her struggles—growing up in a broken home, witnessing her parents’ troubled relationship and fights, and having to take on the role of being a mother figure to her younger sister.
Despite these heavy burdens, she found hope in the gospel and gave her life to Jesus at Camp.
Now graduated, Gloria is working and has started attending church with me. Though her home life remains challenging, she is growing in faith and maturity. Her mom recently thanked me for supporting Gloria, acknowledging her own struggles as a mother.
Gloria is a natural leader, and I believe she has the potential to inspire others and lead kids to Jesus, just as she once was. We’re now in conversations about offering her an internship at our City Life Center and she’s excited about it. – Erin, YFC City Life Leader
“I really felt safe and loved whenever I was at the City Life Center. I hope I can serve here as an intern and help younger kids feel that sense of safety and belonging too.” – Gloria
*The STEAM Camp is a collaborative effort with partners in the inner city and includes Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math, alongside sharing the Gospel of Jesus.