When the Mission first started in 1993, our primary goals were to bring
the Good News of Jesus Christ to young inner city people, and to
encourage them to stay in school in order to graduate with their high
school diplomas. Today, the Sunday worship service averages 60 young
people and their families, and we have 20-25 members attending our
Tutoring, Music & Art and Life Skills weeknight programs. Our
members are not only staying in school to earn their high school
diplomas (or G.E.D. equivalent), they are going on to trade schools, the
military, and college. We are so proud to celebrate the college
graduation of Nikkia Allen from Old Dominion University over Mother's
Day weekend, and four more members will be graduating from their
colleges and universities by this time next year. As our members have
grown and entered college, the Mission is pleased to help each one of
them with their college expenses. The following is a letter we received
from a Mission member who was granted financial assistance:
I
am writing this letter simply to express my gratitude. I am incredibly
grateful and appreciative to REACH-Mission of the Holy Spirit, not only
for the financial support towards my future endeavors, but also for the
recognition of the hard work that I have put in thus far. To me, this
educational assistance demonstrates your generosity, faith in community,
and interest in my success. With this organization's support, I can
continue to reach my academic goals as a student majoring in Social Work
at Norfolk State University. I am a strong believer in volunteering
within my community and this educational support is further inspiration
to continue giving back to the people and places that support me in my
pursuits. As I enter my second year of studies, I hope to continue to
serve within my community as a Campus and Community Outreach Director of
Norfolk State University's chapter of Golden Key International Honor
Society. In addition, [I am] a mentor and volunteer at the local
community centers and an active member of my student body. I hope to
inspire others to volunteer and give back, as I continue on my own
academic journey. I would like to thank the REACH-Mission of the Holy
Spirit for your recognition and support.
Clearly,
this young woman is working hard to break the cycle of poverty that
imprisons inner-city young people, and she has been empowered go far in
this world.
While
the Mission has helped her and others in the past, our bank balance is
the lowest it has been in at least 10 years; we may not have the funds
to help our college students for the fall semester. We are considering
cutting programs at a time of year when we need them most: when children
are on break from school and looking for something to do. We want to
keep them occupied with spiritual, educational and fun programs, and
safe away from the violence and drugs in their neighborhoods.
To learn more about Mission of the Holy Spirit and how you can help, contact them at 757-858-0010 or info@MissionoftheHolySpirit.org.
Boys Home addresses the physical, academic, social, and spiritual needs
of their residents. In a privately funded, faith-based, residential
setting, they provide a stable environment, parallel parenting, and the
opportunity to attend either public or their on-campus school. The Boys
Home setting of 1,250 scenic acres in the Alleghany Highlands provides
an ideal setting for growing boys to experience the simple gifts that
living and playing in the outdoors bring.
On June 12, thirty-two residents and staff left campus bright and early
to travel to Smithfield for a day of fishing. For many it was the first
time they held a rod and reel in their hands, baited a hook and cast a
line. Residents headed to their special fishing hole, and volunteers
retrieved lines of out the trees and tall grass. When asked, they even
removed the catch from the lines of squeamish fishers.