For almost 80 years Youth For Christ (YFC, www.yfc.net) has been mentoring young people during pivotal moments in their lives to foster positive relationships and point teens to Christ. A key distinctive of the organization is a passion for reaching communities that are often overlooked and underserved.
One such community is Rockford, Illinois, where the crime rate is twice as high as the U.S average. Since 1957, YFC Stateline has connected people who love Jesus with disadvantaged youth in the Rockford community, many of whom reside in lower income and broken homes.
A Deep Love For Community
Haddon Anderson, Executive Director for YFC Stateline, said, “What makes YFC unique is the deep love for youth on the fringes of society and in the shadows of our community. We believe every young person’s story matters, because all matter to God and are made in His image.”
YFC Stateline has set an ambitious goal of engaging 1,000 kids through Christ-sharing relationships by 2025.
Anderson said, “We aim to raise up young people as lifelong followers of Jesus, who can then become local leaders and make a positive impact in their own community. We do that by meeting young people where they are—in schools, neighborhoods, and detention centers.”
The Hero Program
YFC Stateline has also pioneered the Hero Program, an initiative designed to help young men find purpose and prepare for careers in law enforcement and the military.
Adam Palmer, Community Outreach Director of YFC Stateline and Hero Program leader, said, “The program is an after-school initiative that is workout-oriented. We use athletics as an inroad to building meaningful relationships with the youth at Roosevelt Alternative High School.”
Palmer says that he particularly feels a burden for struggling young men who lack positive role models.
Fathering The Fatherless
“The Scriptures refer to God as the Father to the fatherless,” Palmer said. “And that’s one thing that my staff and I focus on communicating to these young men. This is where my passion is. And it’s a huge need in our community, because there are so few positive male role models in the lives of many of these young men.”
Ultimately, Anderson says, YFC Stateline serves as a vital link and partner to the church and its mission.
Anderson said, “Our mission statement at YFC says we can’t do this alone. We need the church. We love the church and we’re allies with the church. We’re just one of their arms reaching out into the community.”