Middle Earth

Middle Earth keeps promises to the youth that we serve! We are referring to the 5 Promises, identified by America’s Promise Alliance:

• a safe place to go after school,
• caring adults,
• knowledge of healthy habits,
• marketable skills for employment, and
• the chance to help others.

When children don't receive these promises, they are more likely to make poor, risky choices that carry through into their adulthood. For example, 1 in 4 students drop out of high school, leading to unemployment, poverty, or incarceration. But, you can make a difference between success and failure in a child’s life by making a donation.

Meet Kevin. His father was gone, his mother struggled to make ends meet as a single parent of 3 kids, and school was tough. Since he was alone and bored a lot, he was becoming involved in negative activities after school. Kevin was struggling to stay on task in school. He was acting up in class, not getting along with his classmates, and struggling with his schoolwork. The trajectory of his life was beginning an all-too-common spiral downward, and he had no idea how to stop it.

 

Concerned, Kevin’s teacher told him about Middle Earth. At age 12, Kevin started coming to our Community Youth Center after school. We helped him with his homework, offered fun things for him to do in a positive environment, facilitated conflict resolution among his peers, and kept him off the street. “We promised to keep you safe.” Promise kept.

We enrolled Kevin in our Outreach program that connected him to a mentor. Bill spent time with Kevin doing fun things, such as hikes, basketball, and movies. During this one-on-one time, Bill talked to Kevin about his problems and offered guidance. As they grew close, Kevin valued Bill’s advice and began to look closely at his choices. “We promised a caring adult to help guide you.” Promise kept.

Over time, Bill helped Kevin realize that, by making positive choices, he could change his life for the better. At Middle Earth, Kevin was taught life skills, such as cooking and budgeting. He also decided to engage in positive after school activities. He discovered he had great skill as a runner and joined the school’s track team. He also joined a band where he could showcase his musical talents as a drummer.  “We promised to teach you life skills and healthy habits.” Promise kept.

Kevin has become such a good influence on his peers, we hired him to be a High School Helper in our after-school program for middle-school students. It was valuable for Kevin to apply and interview for the position, teaching him to negotiate the process of finding employment. He is now receiving valuable work experience for his resume and learning how to respectfully interact with supervisors and coworkers. “We promised to ensure you have marketable skills for your future.” Promise kept.

Kevin enjoys working with the kids in our after-school program. He feels like he was once in their shoes and is a good role model to demonstrate how making responsible choices can alter your life path. He is excited to help these youth see their own potential. “We promised to give you the chance to help others.” Promise kept.

Kevin will graduate from high school this year. Kevin recently said, “Middle Earth led me in the right direction. Staff always (gave me advice about) the right things to do and helped me become a better person.” Kevin’s future is full of potential! Promise kept… thanks to people like you!

You have the power to help others just like Kevin! There are many children who face daunting challenges and difficult choices in their family life, school life, and social life. When a youth is misguided or left to make poor decisions, he won’t just feel the consequences today; he will feel them for a lifetime.

 

Can you please help us keep our promises? By making a gift to Middle Earth, YOU are helping youth to perform better in school, increase their self-confidence, prepare for life after high school, obtain and maintain employment, learn respect for themselves and others, and choose positive alternatives to gangs, drugs and crime. Your gift sends a powerful message that every child deserves the chance to succeed and that the future holds endless possibilities.