Riverside-Brookfield Young Life is undertaking a $20,000 donation matching challenge, thanks to a group of supporters who want to close our $40,000 budget shortfall. They’ve agreed to match dollar-for-dollar every new one-time or monthly donations we receive.
Ten years ago, the Landmark wrote an article called “Young Life on the Line.” Reading it today, we’re amazed at how YL has flourished in our community since then. Young Life’s mission is to invite kids to follow Christ, care for them regardless of their response, and change lives in the process.
In 2009, we had one full time staff person who led 70 RBHS students, sending 37 to camp. Ten years later, we now have over 200 students involved, spanning the high school and middle schools, and we’re taking over 125 kids to camp this summer.
Our two full-time staff members play a key role. They and their team of volunteers bring support and mentoring to kids, whatever they’re going through. Chesleigh Jarrett, our area director, leads WyldLife across all the middle schools, and Jake Suiste leads Young Life at RB. We couldn’t be more proud of them and the work they’re doing. Jonathan Gorny, our former area director, now oversees several areas, and he’s fulfilling our shared dream of bringing Young Life to our neighboring high school in Berwyn, Morton West. It’s an exciting time.
This leadership transition has brought some financial growing pains, as we work to rebuild our donor base. We are funded entirely by our local community: parents, grandparents and anyone who shares our love for kids. We are so grateful to our supporters, many who continue to support even after theirs have graduated.
Our shortfall comes at a time when many parents are already stretching to send their kids to camp. Camp fees do not support our local operating budget.
We are in the final days of our March Matching – Double Your Dollars campaign. Donate at rbyl.org, or mail a gift to Young Life Riverside/Brookfield, P.O. Box 472, Riverside, Illinois, 60546-6472
Jim and Kirsten Bell, Peg and Tim Detloff, Sally Essex, Pat and Katie Mulcrone, Ed and Kris Sagan, Dan and Annette Zyck
Young Life Riverside/Brookfield
