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| Our “Girls Group” leaders Porshia and Suzanne held an amazing session recently by asking each member to list seven positive things about herself, then look at herself in a mirror and recite them. “We as women often avoid looking at our reflections out in the world, because of the negative things other people have told us and that we have told ourselves,” Porshia said. “Every single person who did it cried. It was amazing!” |
Street Youth Ministry of Austin exists to know, love and serve street-dependent youth. The first step of our mission is to notice street youth. Then we must understand their culture to know how to love and serve them. SYM spends time every day with more than 100 young adults. We provide basic services, counseling, referral to services, and Christian guidance counseling. It it a privilege to know these young people.
Showing posts with label prayer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label prayer. Show all posts
Oct 2, 2019
Girls see positive images!
Sep 14, 2016
Latest Monthly Goals! July 15 - August 15
Each month, our clients make awesome progress that we celebrate!
We pray for our clients in four important areas: stability, sobriety, reconnecting with God, and finding a faith home.
We pray for our clients in four important areas: stability, sobriety, reconnecting with God, and finding a faith home.
Join us in celebrating these:
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Stability
Jobs obtained -- One got a new job at El Mercado. Another at a car wash. Another at Popeye's. One at at H2O. One client no longer on the streets has a job as a janitor at UT and is the elected labor representative. Three more additional clients are working at new places. Another client no longer on the streets has a new job at Hoodz steam cleaning restaurant vent hoods. One client no longer on the streets just passed is real estate exam and is a new broker! One client no longer on the streets has a job at a concrete company. One client was hired by the Downtown Alliance. Another is is working at a restaurant on the Drag, and one got a job at Fry's Electronics. Finally, one has a new job at the UT Co-op Please join us in praying they can keep their jobs. It's not easy!
Jobs maintained -- One client is still working at Barlotta; Another is still working as a secretary at Centex. Job maintenance takes work!
Housing -- 18 clients are celebrating new housing this month! Awesome work, folks!
Education -- One client is attending GED classes, another is still in culinary school and one has started school at ACC, majoring in law enforcement. Education is such a door opener!
Family reconciliation -- One client has reunited with her birth mother, another is getting back into his daughter's life and one is returning home. Re-forming adult family relationships is hard work!
Benefits-- Three clients are celebrating government benefits, and one newly pregnant client is seeking WIC support. A little help can go a long ways!
Transportation -- Two clients are celebrating getting dependable cars. Getting reliable transportation frees one to work outside bus routes and schedules!
Misc. -- One client is pregnant and spent the full month off the streets! Less street months means much better outcomes!
Sobriety
Milestones -- 12 clients are celebrating sobriety milestones this month. It's always a daily choice!
Reconnection with God
One client wants to serve Street Youth Ministry someday. One client confessed to an ongoing sin. Another client is celebrating his new belief in Jesus. Faith is such a great resource!
Finding a Faith Home
One client is actively looking for a church home, and another is attending a Bible study at his church. We are our clients' church-on-training-wheels, and we love it when they find their own communities to call home!
Sep 8, 2016
Launching Two Events Fall 2016
We're launching two new events for all this month -- exciting stuff! We continue our efforts to provide clients with consistent and safe indoor opportunities.
With UT police recommending fewer homeless in the UT area, our clients are more at risk than ever of being asked to leave the area because they are young and homeless. So events intended to take place primarily indoors are really our only way to serve them.
This first event -- which we are calling "Hey, Neighbor!" -- I'm really excited about! After the catastrophic 2015 invasion of the K2 drug and the tragic near-campus murder earlier this year, the neighborhood needs lots of healing. A basic way to start that process is simply to clean up the area. And the SYM way is to encourage our clients to reach their goals by participating in it.
So -- at 3:30 p.m. each Wednesday, we'll send people out to take photos of West Campus areas that need cleaning up, and we'll post them on Facebook. Then we'll challenge clients to do the work. Those that do will get points redeemable for necessities like sleeping bags, backpacks, etc. As a project is completed, we'll send people out to take pictures and videotape each other's stories so they can explain to neighbors in the area what is being done. We'll post all this to Facebook, too.
Our goal is to get our clients interested in earning by working and improving neighborhood relations. Once we get things going, we might branch into gardening and art installation. We'll need volunteers to help set up and operate Hey Neighbor from 3:15 to 5:30 p.m.
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The second event is a relaunch of Job Club by client request. And this time there will be stronger participation benefits. Attenders get access to a Facebook group where we post job listings early. We'll ask community members to notify us of openings. And when clients get new jobs, we'll give them three discounted daily bus passes (at 10% regular cost) followed by additional passes as they stay employed until paychecks begin to roll in. We'll consider helping Job Club members with discounted job needs (shoes, pants, etc).
We'll have to fundraise to have a kitty for this. We'll ask donors to give 10 times whatever amounts clients supply. We'll also need volunteers to help us set up, teach, role-play and clean up each week from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Our goal is getting clients to open up their imaginations in terms of career vocations and to retain the entry-level jobs they get.
Here's what our "block schedule" looks like. You can see how it fits in with other services in the neighborhood. Our events are shown in Orange. Our very close partner, Lifeworks Street Outreach, is shown in Blue. The Micah 6 Street Youth events are shown in purple. We closely collaborate with these organizations. Other help from neighbors is shown in gray.
Here's what our "block schedule" looks like. You can see how it fits in with other services in the neighborhood. Our events are shown in Orange. Our very close partner, Lifeworks Street Outreach, is shown in Blue. The Micah 6 Street Youth events are shown in purple. We closely collaborate with these organizations. Other help from neighbors is shown in gray.
Jun 1, 2016
SYM Statistical Highlights
SYM's goals for clients are to achieve more stability, sobriety, re-connection with God, and finding a faith home. We break those goals down into dozens of common issues. We watch, listen and probe for when our clients are working on goals. We come alongside them as guides when we can. And we routinely follow-up on how progress is going and celebrate with them as they achieve. It's really an privilege to walk alongside our clients!
Aug 18, 2015
Our Prayer Walks
The "The 5 Love Languages" is a great book for relationships. I was recently reminded by the pastor at Covenant Presbyterian Church that people have prayer languages, too. Some prefer silent prayer. Some prefer praying alone and aloud. Some sing. Some dedicate blocks of time and other pray in short stolen moments between tasks. Some pray driving, or running, or meditating.
Our prayer walks are a chance to walk through the neighborhood we serve. We have chosen 8pm on a Wednesday night because is a very quiet time. Most neighbors are gone. The sun is down (but it's well lit as an urban landscape). The day is done and a new day will come tomorrow. That's the setting for our prayer walk.
We begin at one partner's church location. We explain what happens there and how to pray. We'll ask if anyone wants to pray for the site and activities that will take place there. Then we will walk together along the sidewalks of Guadalupe to a new place.
As we go, we may point out places where people celebrate. Or where people beg. Or where people suffer. Participants will no doubt offer some prayers silently as we answer questions.
We'll stop at locations important to our clients. Businesses that help out. Businesses that are sometime troublesome. We'll offer prayers for the neighborhood.
We'll stop at a place where clients gather in the evening. They will greet us and say hello. They may offer some prayer requests and we can pray with them. We may just have conversation in the calm still evening.
As we walk back to our starting point, we'll answer questions and make suggestions for continued prayer for the community. It's a great way to get to know us and what we do.
Sign-up at our Corporate Prayer Walk page.
Jun 28, 2015
Nov 9, 2014
Aug 3, 2014
A Beautiful Dinner At An Unexpected Time
It was Saturday morning and I was very heavy with bad news from the street. I had received notice that one of our clients passed away the Thursday before. A 25 year old girl tragically died for medical reasons while in custody of the police in jail.
I found myself suddenly involved in a visit that the family arranged for this day in Austin. They are Russian immigrants who now live in Connecticut. They came to view the body of their daughter and to say goodbye, but they also wanted to meet some of her daughter's friends. I have learned over the years that grieving parents do not always mix well with grieving street friends. So this made me pretty anxious and I tried just about everything to avoid it. But by Saturday afternoon, I found myself with two of the street youth and the family at a funeral home. It was difficult but very amazing to see how the street youth and family responded well to one another.
And then the family wanted to attend a Greek Orthodox vespers service together with about a dozen of their daughter's friends. So we moved from the funeral home to the 11th street church where a group of about 10 more street youth were waiting. They waited one block away and seemed reluctant to come nearer. But we brought them near and into the church. Many of the clients looked so uncomfortable but they endured for the sake of their friend's parents.
They lit candles for their loved one at the door. Some made it to pews in this very traditional Byzantine church although many came in only so far as to sit in the very back row of chairs.
After the service, the parents wanted to eat together with the street youth. Pizza at a local place on the Drag, easy for all to access, was selected. It was an odd dinner. Three Russian people sitting with a dozen young people from the street sharing pizza. Each talking in their native languages (street and Russian) and as best they could having a dialog another about their daughter or friend's life. I haven't often seen such wonderful acts of compassion as these strangers grieving together and eating together.
The parents sat and asked, "Tell me about my daughter" and the street youth told them how much everyone loved their friend. It was a foretaste of heaven for sure for me. And to think I wanted to somehow avoid this difficult situation!
Please pray for the family who held a hometown memorial recently and are walking the mourners' path for their only child.
Pray for the girl's street family and that they will grieve appropriately and well.
Pray for healing in the street youth community. There is a lot of anger over this death. We held a street memorial recently to allow everyone in the street youth community to grieve and stand together in this tragedy. We did the service outside under a tree, with music, food, flowers, and eulogies. It was heartbreaking and difficult but extremely special.
Pray for change in our justice system. Already the city and country are working to find better ways to deal with alcoholics in jail. Pray a good solutions come soon. Already some courts and agencies are hiring social workers to deal with and prevent the most frequently offenders rather than continue racking up high costs and ineffective outcomes. And of course, pray that our clients become ready for change and don't get involved in these systems at all.
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| http://www.gospelgifs.com |
And then the family wanted to attend a Greek Orthodox vespers service together with about a dozen of their daughter's friends. So we moved from the funeral home to the 11th street church where a group of about 10 more street youth were waiting. They waited one block away and seemed reluctant to come nearer. But we brought them near and into the church. Many of the clients looked so uncomfortable but they endured for the sake of their friend's parents.
They lit candles for their loved one at the door. Some made it to pews in this very traditional Byzantine church although many came in only so far as to sit in the very back row of chairs.After the service, the parents wanted to eat together with the street youth. Pizza at a local place on the Drag, easy for all to access, was selected. It was an odd dinner. Three Russian people sitting with a dozen young people from the street sharing pizza. Each talking in their native languages (street and Russian) and as best they could having a dialog another about their daughter or friend's life. I haven't often seen such wonderful acts of compassion as these strangers grieving together and eating together.
The parents sat and asked, "Tell me about my daughter" and the street youth told them how much everyone loved their friend. It was a foretaste of heaven for sure for me. And to think I wanted to somehow avoid this difficult situation!
Please pray for the family who held a hometown memorial recently and are walking the mourners' path for their only child.
Pray for the girl's street family and that they will grieve appropriately and well.
Pray for healing in the street youth community. There is a lot of anger over this death. We held a street memorial recently to allow everyone in the street youth community to grieve and stand together in this tragedy. We did the service outside under a tree, with music, food, flowers, and eulogies. It was heartbreaking and difficult but extremely special.
Pray for change in our justice system. Already the city and country are working to find better ways to deal with alcoholics in jail. Pray a good solutions come soon. Already some courts and agencies are hiring social workers to deal with and prevent the most frequently offenders rather than continue racking up high costs and ineffective outcomes. And of course, pray that our clients become ready for change and don't get involved in these systems at all.
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| http://www.gospelgifs.com |
Jul 31, 2014
Volunteers Impacted By SYM
Volunteerism really matters for our clients. It's how we can afford a lot of the social justice that we offer our clients. And volunteers keep us going; we could not even thing about serving 100 individuals every week with more than 1000 conversations or interactions per month without volunteers. It would simply be impossible.
But volunteering also blesses our volunteers in lasting ways. Here is a story we recently got from a SYM volunteer:
Please pray for me to faithfully pray for the “traveler” Scott that I shared a meal and prayer with in Las Vegas. Scott was raised in the church and is confused why a just God allows wars. Scott also needs to be accepted by his father as the person he is, where he is at right now.We prayed that Scott would forgive his father for his hurtful expectations and we prayed that Scott’s father would forgive Scott for not fulfilling all the father’s expectations; and that this forgiveness is by Christ’s work on the cross and not our power, but Christ’s power.
Scott was hoping to move into a weekly rate place and earn enough money to stay there. Pray that the person who was going to help this happen is true to his word and is not seeking to harm Scott in any way. As we parted Scott said, “thanks for a time of humanity”.
I have to tell you that this encounter made the trip for me – the rest of time was nice as it was spent with family, but I am really praying that Scott makes some changes in his lifestyle. My time with Scott made me so thankful for all that SYM does.
God Bless you all, especially today, and I am praying for all that SYM does and will do.
Love in Christ.
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| Original Christian art for GospelGifs by Jim Sutton http://www.gospelgifs.com |
Dec 21, 2013
Do you see what I see?
I got a phone call from a client named “Tommy” in the evening. He started, "Something strange is happening on the Drag." I braced myself as Tommy continued, "I want you to see what I see! I think really good things may happen soon."
My client is not the first to have asked me "Do you see what I see?" About two years ago, a pastor from a church on the Drag once informed me that he had come upon a group of clients praying. Someone had just gone to the hospital, and a group was sitting and praying, some distressed and crying and others leading a prayer. The pastor had never seen this before.
All the credit goes to God's glory, but we began teaching our clients how to pray every week almost four years ago. We also placed emphasis on taking prayer requests from them and sharing them with prayer warriors. We have poured countless hours into nurturing their prayer lives so they feel comfortable sharing with God... their needs, the good times, the bad times, and the ugly. And God has changed their lives.
A pastor that I meet with for supervision remarked during one of our sessions, "I have to stop and simply give praise that the street youth have become a praying community." It was a very promising sign. Do you see what I see? Tommy's news promised to be even better!
Tommy said, "People are talking about Jesus tonight. I don't mean preachers. I mean that street youth are talking to each other about Him!"
Many street youth have come to Christ over the years. We know because they write to us from wherever they have settled down and tell us about their successes and transformation. But lately, we've seen clients come to know Christ on the street.
Again, all the glory goes to God. Many people work with street youth in their daily lives and it is always our goal to get them plugged into local churches. The people we have poured into for years have become saved!
But even more is going on. I want you to see what I see! There are at least five clients who are regularly going to local churches and sharing their faith on the street.
God has met each of these people with his transforming power. Oh the joy of seeing what I see!
And fruit has begun to multiply. I couldn't be more excited that these people are taking their street friends with them on Sunday, and helping them receive the Gospel. At least one more has been baptized through their work (and is now away at a rehab). Another has renewed her faith and joined them in spreading the Gospel.
Do you see what I see? I can hardly believe my eyes! It is so wonderful to see the strength of these young people turned into Gospel tools for His Kingdom.
My client is not the first to have asked me "Do you see what I see?" About two years ago, a pastor from a church on the Drag once informed me that he had come upon a group of clients praying. Someone had just gone to the hospital, and a group was sitting and praying, some distressed and crying and others leading a prayer. The pastor had never seen this before.
All the credit goes to God's glory, but we began teaching our clients how to pray every week almost four years ago. We also placed emphasis on taking prayer requests from them and sharing them with prayer warriors. We have poured countless hours into nurturing their prayer lives so they feel comfortable sharing with God... their needs, the good times, the bad times, and the ugly. And God has changed their lives.
Tommy said, "People are talking about Jesus tonight. I don't mean preachers. I mean that street youth are talking to each other about Him!"
Many street youth have come to Christ over the years. We know because they write to us from wherever they have settled down and tell us about their successes and transformation. But lately, we've seen clients come to know Christ on the street.
Again, all the glory goes to God. Many people work with street youth in their daily lives and it is always our goal to get them plugged into local churches. The people we have poured into for years have become saved!
But even more is going on. I want you to see what I see! There are at least five clients who are regularly going to local churches and sharing their faith on the street.
- One is a Saul-to-Paul story of intense persecution of Christians until his conversion.
- Another is a story of black-arts magician to Christian.
- One was a drug-crazed person constantly going to jail and now is totally transformed.
- Another is the story of a shy young lady who could barely speak in public now sharing her faith openly.
- And Tommy is a man healed, once crippled by mental health issues and now fully in love with God and loving others.
God has met each of these people with his transforming power. Oh the joy of seeing what I see!
And fruit has begun to multiply. I couldn't be more excited that these people are taking their street friends with them on Sunday, and helping them receive the Gospel. At least one more has been baptized through their work (and is now away at a rehab). Another has renewed her faith and joined them in spreading the Gospel.
Do you see what I see? I can hardly believe my eyes! It is so wonderful to see the strength of these young people turned into Gospel tools for His Kingdom.
Thank you so much for being a part of this!
Sep 3, 2012
Talk Time
We had 12 people in our "Talk Time" Monday morning at 11:00am. We discussed what prayer is and then began an exciting prayer concert, modeled after something that was common in 19th century tent revivals in the US.
We began slowly, with short statement about who God is. "God is love. God is... what?" I would coax a statement out of them, repeat and expand it, and then ask the question again. It grew almost into a rhythm. Then we moved into "I am thankful for ... what?" And then "Here''s what''s going on with me." And finally, "I admit... what?" The participation was nearly 100% and the prayer seemed to build up to a crescendo.
Then we prayed, "God, I ask for me that you... what?" Then "God, I ask for us that you... what?" And "God, I ask for this city that you... what?"
They were brutally honest about their lives and what they wanted. As we closed by praying thanks for how God will have acted in their lives five, ten, twenty, and even fifty years from now, they gave thanks for healing, provision, and the ability to help others who are like them now. Now that''s some sweet prayer that you can join us with! Join our prayer list.
Who We Serve What We Do Get Involved Support Us News Publications Ministry Needs Speaking Service Projects Sign-up
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Mobile? No problem: m.StreetYouthMinistry.org.
I'm a notary for benefit of clients and supporters. Ph: (512) 553-3796
Volunteer or donate (tax deductible) online
Arrange a meeting with me: tungle.me/terrycole
Follow SYM: 
Mar 30, 2012
Hard to Hear
Allowing God in our heart.
I encountered a traveling youth, very rough and hardened. He came to my rescue in a group of kids who were bashing the idea of God: "I definitely and firmly believe in God," he said, "but I don't believe in religion." Later in the same conversation, he told the group, "I know I'm going to hell. I've done too many things." I interrupted him and said, "You may have done some serious things, but there is always a chance of going to heaven. It's not too late."
He looked a little reluctant and then said a little quieter, "Not with what I've done." And then he confessed some terrible things. I looked him in the eye and told him, "Maybe you will go to heaven or maybe to hell, but that will about you and not about God. You can be forgiven even for these things if you make a personal relationship with God." I thought for a moment I saw a tear form in his eye, but he seemed to push through the moment and it was gone. I know he heard with his ears but I don't think he heard with his heart. -- I am praying for you to understand. No matter how long you've turned your back on God and His ways, you can be forgiven when you turn back, face God, and cry out to Him. He loves you no more or less because of what you'd done. I know you heard me, but will you allow your heart to know?
Find out more about our weekly prayer time with street youth.
Who We Serve What We Do Get Involved Support Us News Publications Ministry Needs Speaking Service Projects Sign-up
Become a fan on Facebook!
Mobile? No problem: m.StreetYouthMinistry.org.
I'm a notary for benefit of clients and supporters. Ph: (512) 553-3796
Volunteer or donate (tax deductible) online
Arrange a meeting with me: tungle.me/terrycole
Follow SYM:
Mar 23, 2012
A Loving Church Response
SYM is not a church.
We work with young people, many of whom have literally shut the door on church and even figuratively nailed the door shut! Almost all have had church experiences; few are "unchurched." Many have vowed never to set food in a church again. But we manage in our own special ways to open that door--slowly at first. When someone is ready to do deeper into Christian faith, we invite them into relationship with partner churches for discipleship, worship, small groups, and fellowship. We try to make sure everything goes well and smoothly. We work with both sides to set and manage expectations and boundaries. We arrange for people to meet and greet our clients and to give them a personal welcome. It takes courage and commitment on both sides.
Our clients are usually very receptive. Occasionally things don't get well. Hear me--nothing dangerous happens, but one or the other party is uncomfortable. This recently happened at one of the churches we work with. The client exhibited a certain behavior and the church became very uncomfortable. However, that church reached out with love. The client is now invited to personal 1:1 counseling with the pastor. And the client is not shunned, even though he is unable to attend the events unaccompanied. I know that God is building an even deeper relationship and stronger bridge that I ever imagined.
Do you have an example of how God has worked in your life? Support our work to assist these young people in finding God.
Who We Serve What We Do Get Involved Support Us News Publications Ministry Needs Speaking Service Projects Sign-up
Become a fan on Facebook!
Mobile? No problem: m.StreetYouthMinistry.org.
I'm a notary for benefit of clients and supporters. Ph: (512) 553-3796
Volunteer or donate (tax deductible) online
Arrange a meeting with me: tungle.me/terrycole
Follow SYM:
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