More than a Bowl of Chili: Youth Support Hands of Hope

I would like to thank and encourage all the youth at Eastview Wesleyan Church’s youth group called FUSION for the $240 raised through a recent youth driven chili soup supper at the church.

While we are greatly appreciative of the money raised for Hands of Hope, it is how the money was raised that is remarkable and worthy of a public letter of thanks.

In talking with Aldean Pablo, the youth pastor at Eastview and his wife Jessie, the vision for this fundraiser was Megan Turner, a sophomore at Mississinewa High School. Jessie shared that the event took place in large part because of Megan. So a shout out to MEGAN and her vision and desire to know more about domestic violence and how to intervene.

Then in addition, an additional thanks and gratitude to 10 other youth who helped with the event and to each of the cooks of the church who made and donated various crock pots of chili.

It is so rewarding to receive this monetary gift, especially knowing that youth were at the core of the event and have taken away a better understanding of how to invest in their community and what domestic violence is and how to intervene.

As Hands of Hope, continues to work with youth and create partnerships with individuals, schools and churches in Grant County, I would ask and encourage youth and their adult leaders to contact either myself, Linda Wilk or Tabitha Joyner, Hands of Hope’s Delta Focus Coordinator who is working to create youth councils at each of the five Grant County public high schools. Tabitha can be reached at 662-9971 ext. 113 or email at tjoyner@famservices.com. I can be reached at ext. 123 or email at lwilk@famservices.com.

My hope is what Megan and her fellow youth group members did will generate interest from other youth serving organizations so that as these youth become adults Grant County is less tolerant and more aware of domestic violence.