Youth Development - Inner City Central Arkansas

What is S.A.Y. Yes!®

See how the caring mentors of an inner-city church changed the life of one young man named Charles.

Currently, our S.A.Y. Yes!® Centers are ministering to more than 3,000 children and teens across the country. Watch a video at the right about a young boy named Charles.

S.A.Y. Yes!® stands for Save America's Youth — Yes! Since 1992, Cru has offered a unique solution to churches and ministries that want to reach out to the children and teens in their neighborhoods.

Currently, our S.A.Y. Yes! Centers for Youth Development® are ministering to more than 3,000 children and teens across the country.

S.A.Y Yes! Centers are a biblically-based program that takes place in an after-school setting.

The goal is to give at-risk children a solid foundation from which they can build a successful future. Through the local church, each child is ministered to spiritually, emotionally, physically, intellectually, and socially (Luke 10:27).

As a church-operated program, a long-term commitment can be made to the children, and the entire family — parents, guardians, siblings, and neighbors — can be enfolded into the local body of Christ.

S.A.Y. Yes! provides churches and their congregations with:

  • Training: 18 hours, 16 sessions covering topics such as how to design your weekly program, how to share the gospel with children, and how to recruit and manage volunteers.
  • Biblically-Based Curriculum: Bible Club, practical living skills, recreation, mentoring, and lessons covering topics such as integrity, forgiveness, and respect.
  • Ongoing Resources: Many of these are free or at low cost (educational materials, a phonics program, youth entrepreneurship skills).
  • Online Access: ... to all S.A.Y. Yes! Center resources, links to related websites, and free downloads.
  • Citywide Support Network: Additional training for specific topics such as fund development, child discipline, setting annual goals and objectives.

For more information, contact Shirley Shackleford at shirley.shackleford@cru.org.

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