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Sandlot
football
The TLC version
of “sandlot football” took place Tuesday, September 12th. This was
the afternoon that Dustin Colquitt, the Chiefs' punter, and his wife
Christia visited our campus. Dustin and Christia have adopted TLC as
their charity and have committed to help us in many different ways.
You had to be
there to see the delight in the youth's eyes as Dustin
“quarterbacked” the teams. After half of an hour of intense touch
football our youth listened quietly as Dustin talked with them.
Afterwards, they lined up for autographs and individual pictures
with Dustin.
It was a great
experience for our youth. But, honestly, having a mentor who isn't a
Chiefs' player would be just as good. If you are interested in
becoming a mentor to one of our youth, please call Chad Johnson at
913-324-3645.
Remember, you can make a difference!
Warmest Personal
Regards,
Bob Drummond,
Ed.D
President and
CEO
CHANGING LIVES...
TLC's Street Outreach and Youth Crisis Services
Programs give hope to youth...
To expand TLC's
outreach care program to serve youth in crisis who have fallen
between the cracks of existing social service programs, TLC began
our Youth Crisis Services Program. This program serves youth ages
12-17, who have runaway, been pushed out of their homes, or are
otherwise homeless, or may be experiencing family conflict.
Intervention specialists are available 24 hours a day to provide
crisis mediation/intervention, situational counseling, resource
referral, and emergency shelter when needed.
TLC's Street
Outreach Services program is a mobile community-based unit providing
psycho-educational and social intervention services to youth 12-17
who are homeless, at-risk of being homeless, and/or are runaways
living on the streets of Johnson and Jackson Counties. Street
Outreach Workers will work with youth to reduce or prevent the
sexual exploitation of the youth and provide assistance in finding
shelter or housing or other concrete services, support, counseling,
health care, and/or other appropriate connections that may aid the
youth in getting off the streets.
Ashley's Story
Engaged...Empowered...Enriched
Only
left with a flicker of hope, “Ashley” fell indebted to the weight of
her emotional, internal battle. She found herself encased by the
darkness which was inflicted pill after pill.
Then
hope surfaced. She struggled to crawl down the hallway toward the
last glimmer of light in her life, her mother. Encountered with
devastation, her mother scooped her up like the infant she held 17
years ago, and rushed her to the hospital. Still, Ashley could not
grasp the love that her mother was extending to her and she left the
hospital to brave it on her own at ReStart.
It
didn't take long for her to realize that this was not the best
choice, and that is when she came into contact with TLC's Street
Outreach Services program. Apprehension consumed Ashley, but she no
longer wanted to swelter under the burden of her distress so she
agreed to come to our emergency shelter and receive help from the
Youth Crisis Service workers at TLC.
Each
day brought a new level of trust and understanding until she was
fully engaged in bettering herself. A unique plan
was constructed which fit her needs and she was
empowered with the tools to reach her goals. She
applied for Job Corp with the strong desire to get into the
healthcare program. While she was waiting to be accepted, she worked
on her relationship with her mother. At first she would go on pass
from the shelter for a few hours, but as their relationship
flourished, time spent together became more abundant. Though the
journey was difficult, the experience enriched both
of their lives. Ashley returned home to live with her mother until
her placement in Job Corp was completed.
Providing a trusting atmosphere full of dedication and
encouragement, each individual who comes into the hands of TLC is
given a unique opportunity for a new beginning.
Shaping the Future through Estate Planning...
Giving Generously While Guarding Your
Own Financial Security
Some call it
compassion—the nature of an individual who cares deeply for others
and desires to help however possible. This compassion and
willingness to share, however, may be tempered by the need for
financial security. Taking control of your own finances is one of
the most powerful ways to ensure your ability to share with others.
 If you've been considering a significant
charitable gift to TLC but you are concerned about how you can
afford to do so, look no further. Click
here to check out our top five suggestions for how
you may be able to give a larger gift than you ever anticipated.
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