A Tale of Two Summers -Jared Diller, Executive Director
I sat across the room from teens who live in the confinement of a juvenile detention center. The contrast of their summer to my children’s is a hard pill to swallow.
Our family took a trip to Utah and visited the famous national parks of Bryce Canyon, Zion, and Grand Canyon. My 12-year-old son experienced YFC Camp where he and 200 other campers had an amazing time of adventurous activities and enjoying the freedom of being away from home. My older boys worked and earned money to help prepare for future plans and fun. Evening campfires and lightning bugs lit up our backyard as our kids jumped on the trampoline and ran without any cares.
On the contrary, teens that have been imprisoned within the Allen County Juvenile Department have gray walls and floors. The most vibrant color they see are their issued orange sweatshirts and pants. Their residence pod consists of small cells where they spend most their time in seclusion, coming out for just a few hours each day for specific purposes.
As a dad, my heart for these teens is to know life and freedoms like my own children experience. Regardless of their past choices, it is extremely hard to see them in bondage without the joy of what summer can bring.
As we enter into the detention center weekly, please pray that YFC can offer teens hope, light and life that cannot be stolen so they can experience a true freedom found in Jesus!