the club

Some of you will literally hate this and some will think this is great. I've had both reactions to this sort of thing over the years so feel free to express your thoughts/feelings - let's see if you can surprise me.

I've mentioned the Solomon Program run at NSV before. We are now floating a similar idea for teens called The Club. Here's how it works ... again, feel free to respond.

The Club: ‘The Club' is a working title for a potential ongoing Solomon Program type empowerment program for Jr. High (6-8 grade) and Sr. High students. Jr. High and Sr. High students are in separate groups within the overall program. The program goes last six months every year. If a student makes it to 20 of the 24 ‘club' gatherings and meet all other requirements, the idea is that they would get $1000 deposited into a college fund that they can use for college only after high school. If a sixth grader enters the program and does it every year up until high school graduation, they will have $7000 dollars toward college, plus interest.

If a 9th grader enters the program, and does the program only their 9th grade and 12th grade years, they will then only have $2000 plus interest toward college upon graduation. (1000 per year)

Again, this is just the initial idea.

Requirements to complete a year of The Club: Kids will have to make 20-24 gatherings. Meet with a 1 on 1 mentor. Do a final project at the end of each year. Participate in outreach project.

What do the gatherings look like? Bible discussion. (with modern twists) Life courses. (sex, money, future career, friends) Fun: special events, games, etc. Service: outreach events

Timetable: the idea is that both Jr. and Sr. High meet every week from Sept-Nov. Then take a break. Continue Jan-Mar.

Money for each year? We're talking about doing an adoption program where the church and people within the church share the cost of a child's 1000 dollars for the year. Someone (or a family) within the church adopts one child for $500 a year and a church matches the 500 to give the yearly 1000 dollar total. Multiple churches would be involved in this program, not just NSV. Again, just the idea at this point.

Application Process: Parents and kids both sign off on application. Take all kids.

Who teaches classes and mentors? Split classes and mentors between participating churches. Each church has director over their mentors and teachers. Mentors and teachers can be same people. Directors meet together to stay on same page.

Potential Class and Event Examples: "Am I in the Matrix?" "Sex, is it a good thing?" "Big Give Outreach Event." "Movie Night." "Christian Concert." "How many gods are there?" "Beer, drugs and all that's in between."

As you can see, this is a big goal to shoot for and we'll need a lot of people to help. ... Since we are still in the brainstorming stage, we'd love to hear any ideas or feedback that you have. There is no guarantee this program will happen or that there will even be any money to do so ...

PS - Here's a brief on the Solomon Program.

The Solomon Program: The Solomon Program is a six month empowerment program for individuals in our community who have been marginalized and need a little extra help. It runs from February to July every year. The participants go through 12 bible classes, 12 life courses, 24 hours of community service, 12 hours with their mentors, and do a final project. At the end, they get 3000 dollars toward education, housing, or transportation if they complete the requirements.