Subscribe to Presence and Impact: Youth
One of the most important times of ministry at BJM, happens at 4pm over boba, or 7am over a chai latte. Youth in our creative arts programs are paired with a mentor who invests intentional time and presence in their lives, often over a tasty beverage or a fun activity. It’s this kind of presence that makes an impact in a girl's life!
The benefits of mentoring youth are widely recognized. Teens who have a mentor have:
Increased high school graduation rates
Lower high school dropout rates
Healthier relationships and lifestyle choices
Better attitude about school
Higher college enrollment rates and higher educational aspirations
Enhanced self-esteem and self-confidence
Improved behavior, both at home and at school
Stronger relationships with parents, teachers, and peers
Improved interpersonal skills
Decreased likelihood of initiating drug and alcohol use
Source : Youth.gov
In fact, one study estimated that for every dollar spent on mentoring youth, there was a potential $3 return on investment in the community! (Source: National Mentoring Partnership)
“For me, one on one mentorship is as simple as living my real life with those I am pouring into. When I was a teenager, my mentors took me to the grocery store with them, helped me with homework, college applications, made me dinner, introduced me to their friends…seeing how they lived their real lives with Jesus and loved others was what made real impacts on my major life decisions and the ways I relate to others.
As I’ve mentored young women, I am intentional to let the transformation happen both ways: both for me and for my mentees, inside and out. Real change happens when we live our real lives together, talk through our challenges, explore what God has to say about who we are, and celebrate wins big and small. This is a transformational relationship — It calls young women higher into their true potential, and it makes me more like Jesus in the process.”
Gabby, our Executive Director and former Youth Director, has been consistently meeting with one girl, before school every week. From the time Katelyn was in the 8th grade, Gabby and Katelyn have met before school to study the Bible together, pray together and process life together. Both ladies have grown together. Both ladies have learned more and more what it looks like to faithfully follow Jesus in San Francisco. Both ladies count this as one of their favorite times of the week.
When asked what her favorite thing about Tuesday mornings are, Katelyn responded,
“I have a lot of favorite things from Tuesdays mornings, but specifically I love how safe and open I’m able to be while talking to Gabby regardless of the topic or situation. It’s just a comfortable loving space no matter where we are. Tuesday mornings have impacted me in many good ways. Learning and studying together about something I can see in my day to day life, and putting those learnings to practice, and seeing the difference of how it changes the way you see things. That has been impactful.”
We love these safe, set aside times together and are grateful to witness lasting impact and transformation - new ways of seeing God, our community, situations — and even ourselves!
When you subscribe to BJM at the $25 level, you’re funding these moments of presence that make such an important difference in the life of a woman and girl.