It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

Merry Christmas from Street Youth Ministry! ""For unto us a child is born, Unto us a son is given." -- Isaiah 9:6 'What do you do?' It's a question we ask everyone, and nonprofits are asked a lot. We ask our clients a lot, too. I mean we actually ask our clients, "What do we do for you?"My heart skips a beat every time we ask, because I hope the answers reflect the energy and passion we pour into ministry. (Pause. We have a brand new capability called a smart bot. If you'd like to help out this Christmas, click here (mobile and computer friendly) and tell us how. Answer a few questions and our smart bot will guide you to your best option! And we'd like feedback. Tell you wht you think by replying.) It's a question we ask everyone, and nonprofits are asked a lot. We ask our clients a lot, too. I mean we actually ask our clients, "What do we do for you?" My heart skips a beat every time we ask, because I hope the answers reflect the energy and passion we pour into ministry. The most frequent answer is: "You feed us." Indeed, we provide about 50 meals a day -- about two per person! Food matters. Every youth pastor knows that food will be at the heart of every event, at least initially. Someone else will say, "You give us clothes and coats and socks." True enough. Volunteers sort through tens of thousands of donations every year, putting them into bins: S through XL, tops, bottoms, shoes, outerwear -- in our "store." People pick through it every day looking for what they want or need. Then someone will say, "You give us a safe play to hang out." I believe we serve more homeless young people than anyone in Austin. Some ministries spend more on certain items. Some have case managers.. We work alongside all of them, but we attract the largest number and variety of homeless young adults. We make first contact with more than 500 individuals a year. One of our challenges is getting this very large and diverse group to hang with us and do so safely and cooperatively. Conflict is more common that you'd think. We offer a variety of activities: structured opportunities like art group, prayer time and Bible study; unstructured times like drop-in; social events like game night and movie night. Our staff is trained and keeps things safe and clients’ thinking positive. Then someone will say, "You're there for me when I need it." We engage deeply in life coaching on a broad range of topics. Like that insurance company commercial, "We know a thing or two because we've seen a thing or two!" We've served homeless young adults for nine years now, so we've coached them through thousands of difficult problems. And here is the deal -- almost all our clients find their way and get better. A few, sadly, end up in prison, but even there, they get better. A few others, tragically, die far too early. But so many write or text us about their successes -- achieving stability, getting sober, reconnecting with God and finding a place for faith in their lives! Just yesterday, a young man who has been a handful for some years told me this:"When you stepped up to operate the drop-in center this year, some people didn't like it. They wanted things to stay the way they were. But you've made things better. You're one of the sweetest, kindest people I've ever known, even though you hold me accountable for some of the mistakes I make. I've not taken advantage of your services like I should. I want to start counseling to figure out some of my life problems." We look forward to it! Homeless young adults are our passion. Helping them achieve stability is our mission. We do that by being real, relevant and transparent. Their needs are many, but they’re the same needs of any young adult: to learn, discover, have a mentor, be able to make mistakes, get second chances. They are also homeless, so they need to rise from poverty's grasp. A new university study found that 1 in 10 young adults in the U.S. experiences homelessness now. Our job is tough, but we are here … and we love these people. Thank you for being a part!Terry Year-end Giving We are looking for $69,826 in special gifts, so the ministry can leave the year in the black. If you are blessed and able to share, we invite you to consider giving a tax-deductible gift to reduce this amount. You can donate online, by appreciated investment, or by check:   Click here to donate on-line: OR Street Youth Ministry, 408 W. 23rd St. Basement, Austin, TX 78705 OR Leave a message on our hotline for the business office to begin a gift of appreciated investment:  512-553-3796 So grateful for our TEAM! Our team of people has grown so much this year, a thankful complement to our first year's operation of the Drop-In Cooperative. Here are Marissa (left), Billy (center), and Darvin (right) at our Thanksgiving worship with a couple of clients who participated! They are the heart and soul of knowing, loving and serving street youth!