2008.09.25
Salem and Glenvar Young Life Banquet draws 250
Two years ago at the Roanoke Valley Young Life banquet, there were five or six tables with people from Salem and western Roanoke County at the Roanoke Civic Center. On Tuesday night, 31 tables with 250 supporters of the Salem and Glenvar Club were set at their very own annual fundraiser.
Scott Habeeb, Salem committee chair, recounted the brief history of "God moving, and people doing what they were called to do," describing the different groups of people that began, independently at first, the development of clubs in Salem and Glenvar High Schools. Both schools now have Young Life counselors--Jeff Lakin at Salem and Stephanie Ulan at Glenvar.
"Victory is when a kid comes up to you and says 'who are you, and what are you doing here?'" Lakin said. As a 44-year-old, he's not the typical Young Life counselor--they're usually fairly recent college graduates, but he's been successful at SHS.
Constant presence at schools--from sporting events to school dances, counselors give the kids the chance to decide if they want or need to talk to them, first. 30 kids from the school went to the organization's summer camp this past year. Another worthwhile endeavour they're a part of is Capernaum, where high school kids make an effort to be involved with classmates that have physical or mental disabilities.
Dave Sloop summed up most of Young Life's mission in a motivational speech: "It's earning the right to be heard, it's showing up in their life... and it's a sin to bore kids with the gospel."
To become involved in Young Life, contact Jeff Lakin at 540-353-2026 or at jplakin63@mac.com.
