Circle of Hope

Webster describes “lost cause” as: hopelessly unattainable, futile. That is what a lot people are labeling our youth today between the ages of 14 – 18. Working with youth we have learned there is no absolute. Just like it is unfair to hate a whole race because of an individuals decision, you can’t judge all teenagers by what even a small percentage does. The Spot After-School Drop-In-Center program (at Brotherly Love Urban Youth Services) has allowed us to see the spectrum of youth behaviors. We have relationships with very creative, caring, and academically sound youth and we also have the same relationships with those struggling because they are mimicking their hard neighborhood and influences in their homes. Joshua, 17 is a regular in our program. He is smart, mature, and a leader. Everyone gravitates to him because he treats people so good. He lives in a single parent household and is in his school’s ROTC program, which requires good grades and excellent skills. He says he enjoys coming to The Spot because he has the opportunity to lead, volunteer (in the computer lab) and has input in decisions for after-school activities and events. We are not a lost cause to God nor should we be for each other no matter the age.