News

Celebrate Youth

The Dam celebrates the potential of youth and young moms in our community. This happily counters the news stories of youth whose lives have ended early or aren’t living to their full potential. There are many youth who overcome obstacles and achieve great things.

During weekly programs, the young moms have deep conversations about life as they watch the babies play and coo. With financial struggles, relational issues, and teething babies, the girls grapple with what it takes to be a good mom. Sometimes, it is overwhelming and easy to give up hope for tomorrow. Schooling and jobs seem like a mountain to climb to becoming financially stable. These girls need people who will hope with them.

The youth search for belonging and purpose. They find drama, drugs and distrust. They sometimes give up hope that they can get out of teenage years with an education, good job, and great relationships. They need people who won’t give up on them.

The Dam’s mandate is to develop youth, helping them to journey to their full potential. This is achieved through assisting with resources and support. The key component is mentoring, being a consistent relational presence in the lives of youth and young moms.

Long term relationships create the vessel to carry hope that things can and will be different. The Dam celebrates and encourages every movement. A youth goes back to school. A mom finds a great job and a daycare close by. There is an experience of positive community at The Dam that changes family relationships.