Putting the word out!

As many of you know, most all of our kids live in homes where money is low and need is high. From the age of 12 many of the hispanic boys get pressure from their family to drop out of school and get a job. We have been fighting this uphill battle for a long time. How do we encourage these boys to stay in school when they are being discouraged at home?!?!

I've been brainstorming about this for a while and there are 2 ideas that we are working on. One has already started. We have bribed them to get good grades. If they have no D's or F's they get a prize. This rule came into effect last week when they all got their progress reports. There are a few specific kids who REALLY struggle in school. One particular 15 year old boy has pretty much gotten all F's his whole life, but always manages to make it to the next grade. This kid has an amazing heart and great potential, he just doesn't work very hard because he knows that he doesn't need a high school diploma to work construction or landscaping. PLUS, his families need is immediate and he knows he will soon quit school to work full time. I talked to him many times over this past summer about at least starting the 8th grade year and trying to make good grades, but I really didn't think he would stick with it. So when he decided the third day of school to give it a shot, I was ecstatic. But I wasn't prepared for last week. He comes sprinting in the Rock Island house and whips out his report card with a huge grin. 4 A's, 2 B's and a C. I was sooo proud of him. I knew for a moment what a mom feels like when her child comes home with good grades. I think the prizes for good grades thing is going to work!

The second idea I have is creating some sort of work-study program for these kids. I'm trying to put the word out about after-school jobs for some of the older boys. I think that if they can still contribute financially to the family in some way, they won't be pressured to drop out. One boy is particularly on my mind right now. He is the one receiving the most pressure about making money so he can send it back to Mexico to the rest of his family. He DOES have papers so he can legally get a job. So I'm putting the word out. If anyone knows of someone that could provide some after-school jobs or even people that want to hire out odd jobs on Saturdays such as lawn maintenance, etc. just contact me and I'll be sure to hook you up with one of our kids. I'll make sure they have rides, bus passes, etc. If you have an idea of some people that might be interested, just send them my link (not that I want alof of people reading my poor grammar).

It's amazing how God is daily presenting new needs that need to be met. Yesterday the youth staff's job description was a chef, personal shopper, crisis intervention, money management, school teacher, lunch lady and prayer counselor. Today it might be a trauma nurse, janitor, electrician, computer technician, artist who is bilingual. You just never know... that's what I love about my job.