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Kairos TorchCrime among youthful offenders is the most rapidly growing segment of corrections. The number of institutions for youthful offenders has doubled since 1995. This presents a unique opportunity for the Church to be physically present in ministry to this segment of the incarcerated community. Kairos has developed Kairos Torch to facilitate ministry to youthful offenders. The goals of Kairos Torch are: To provide a safe place to the youthful offender for spiritual exploration. To offer unconditional love and acceptance in a Christian setting. To encourage the sharing of life journeys and help the youthful offender find a full life. To foster spiritual growth and to promote participation in the long term mentoring process which provides spiritual and emotional support in order to enhance positive self-esteem and promote constructive life choices. These goals are accomplished through the vehicle of a weekend Christian retreat followed up by a continuing ministry that includes weekly one-on-one mentoring of the youth by Kairos volunteers and monthly group reunions with the Kairos community. The most important element of Torch is the establishment of a mentoring relationship between each of the youth and a mature, Christian Kairos volunteer. The mentoring program goes on for a minimum of 6 months or until the youthful offender is released, whichever occurs first. The mission of Kairos Torch on the introductory weekend is to encourage the participants to remove their masks so the real person, rather than who they pretend to be, can shine forth. We create a safe environment for them to begin to show themselves and learn what life can be like in a loving, caring and trusting community. We challenge the participants to risk being vulnerable. We love them unconditionally as demonstrated by Christ. Then, it is up to them, with the help of their mentor, to begin to break through their own walls. The mission of the weekend is also to show participants it is safe to make friends, the importance of positive support groups, as well as how to form groups themselves. Groups (as opposed to gangs) give the participants a viable option to isolation. Participants need someplace where they can be themselves and are accepted after the weekend.
A QUICK LOOK AT KAIROS TORCH Kairos Torch provides a 2 ½ day Christ-centered experience. Kairos Torch is primarily for youthful offenders, and is clearly appropriate for those institutions classified as Youthful Offender Facilities, housing youths age 13-19. The program may also be used in adult institutions where first offense, younger prisoners are held. Kairos Torch is ecumenical in nature, striving for denominational balance among the team. Kairos Torch is financially self-supporting as are all Kairos programs. Team members are recruited from among those who have a heart for working with the youth and commitment to mentor them over a significant span of time. Team members come from church communities and their will-balanced lives will reflect their Christian values. Every team includes a clergy, who acts as spiritual director. A Torch weekend is designed to minister to 24 to 42 residents. The Torch team is made up of 30 to 45 volunteers, depending on the number of residents who attend. For further information about Torch or how you might become involved, contact Kevin Resnover or Erica Warren at the Kairos International office, (407) 629-4948 or email: kevin@kpmi.org or erica@kpmi.org |
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