Equip Your Congregation to Mentor Vulnerable Youth of Color
Seattle Presbytery
The 4C Coalition Can Equip Your Congregation to Mentor Vulnerable Youth of Color in King County
In recent years, many churches have foregone the one-week mission trip to other parts of the US, or abroad, in favor of responding to significant issues of poverty, homelessness, abuse, and disenfranchisement right at home. Such a shift provides for long-term, life-changing relationships that can bring hope, justice, and healing to people who live in the same region, but who, in significant ways, live worlds apart.
The 4C Coalition is a local non-profit (the 4 C’s stand for: Clergy, Community, Children/Youth, Coalition) that has seen great success in turning around the lives of boys and girls aged 12-18 throughout King County. About a year ago, members of Mount Baker Park Presbyterian Church (MBPPC) began a partnership with the 4C Coalition. MBPPC is hosting 4C Mentor Trainings to build one-to-one mentoring relationships with vulnerable youth of color in King County. MBPPC is hosting these one-day trainings on Saturdays throughout the year. Along with hosting women and children from the Mary’s Place Shelter, MBPPC members who have completed the one-day training have been matched with youth from Seattle to Auburn, Issaquah to Vashon Island.
The 4C is supported by such agencies as King County Superior Court, City of Seattle Youth Violence Prevention Initiative, United Way of King County and the National CARES Mentoring Movement. The 4C has provided academic, social, positive peer relationships, increased school attendance, decreased suspensions, expulsions and truancy as well as provided material support to families struggling to give their children a good footing in transition from childhood to adulthood.
Why not get your congregation involved? It is easy to do, and the benefits to the people of King County are immeasurable.
Take a look at this video and consider getting started today. You can contact the 4C Coalition, Donald Cameron @ 206.972.3426 or by email at donc@the4ccoalition.org.
In addition, look for a table staffed by Don Cameron of the 4C Coalition /Seattle Cares as you arrive at the July 21 Presbytery meeting at Rainier Beach PC.
Sincerely,
Pastor Leland Seese
Mt. Baker Park Presbyterian Church