Christmas Thank You

This is a video that we put together last Christmas for donors. We burned the video to DVDs and mailed them in Christmas cards. Feel free to use it and do the same or take the idea and make it your own!


Quick how to:

• Make signs with paper and markers with what you want to say 
• Hand them to girls and get short shots (about 5-10 seconds each) at your YoungLives events
• Use a simple video camera or digital camera that does video
• If you have a Mac with iMovie or a PC with Windows Movie Maker you can upload your videos and compile all of these shots into a short video. 
• Save the file and burn to a blank DVD.

If you like the idea of this, but it seems overwhelming... cry out to a friend who is "techy" and gets this stuff and ask them to help you!

Who do you call? 2-1-1

Many (if not ALL!) of our teen moms find themselves at one point or another in need of help with food, housing, employment, health care, counseling, etc. 


2-1-1 provides free and confidential information and referral in many communities in the U.S. When you dial 2-1-1 on your phone you will be directed to a hotline operator who will help you (or your teenage friend) to these resources.


You can visit the national page here at: http://www.211.org/ to see if there is a 2-1-1 hotline available in your area. 


This would be good to share at one of your ongoing mentor trainings. Let mentors know that when they receive a crisis call, they have somewhere to turn. 

This is also a helpful resource for start-up YoungLives ministries looking to partner with other organizations in the community. Just call or search online for organizations that are working with crisis pregnancy or teenage parenting. 

A fresh perspective on Fundraising

We're always looking for new ideas and ways to fund our ministries and send our girls to camp. The book Revolution in Generosity promotes God-oriented stewardship, not just fundraising techniques. This book is Kingdom oriented and reminds us that fundraising is stewardship and an invitation to invest in what God is doing.

The book's website also offers some resources on fundraising. 

Whenever you want to purchase books be sure to check the publisher discounts on the Young Life staff site.

Happy Reading!
and Happy Fundraising!

Turkey Bowling!

Turkey bowling is a fun game that we usually do at club around Thanksgiving time.  Another alternative is Pumpkin Bowling in October. For this you will need:

• 1 frozen turkey
• 1 set of bowling pins 
• space to bowl (either indoors or out)

You can either use real bowling bins (some bowling alleys may donate old ones to you) or use empty soda or juice bottles (pictured). Many Young Life areas already have a set of bowling pins, so check with your staff first. You can also do this with a roll of plastic or a tarp and grease it down with vegetable oil. Teens bowl the turkey using the handle, keeping the bird inside the package.

You can always send the turkey home as a prize or give to a girl in need.

I Will Wait...for You

Here is a YouTube clip that you can use when speaking about relationships. Amy de Jonge says, "It has a great message, is biblically based and is presented in a unique way which really spoke to our girls!"

Shared by Amy de Jonge - Grand Rapids, MI

The Way You Are Rap Remix

This is a rap that was inspired by teen moms, written and rapped by Ben Lemmen.



Check out the lyrics here!