by A.p.Love Came down at Christmas is such a simple phrase that has a more complex meaning. In 2015 I was lost. I honestly didn’t know who I was, or where I belonged. I got into trouble and landed myself in the juvenile justice system and then on probation. Growing up I was in and out of the foster system. When I witnessed my older brother being handcuffed and put in a police car I told myself, “I will never be in that situation.” At a young age, I had to learn how to be older, how to be responsible, and how to take care of myself. I was never able to just be a kid. I had four younger siblings who needed me. I had to be a good example. My younger siblings and I were adopted in 2009. Years went by, there were good and bad times. I was only 15 years old when I truly felt like I let my siblings down. When I got handcuffed in front of my siblings, it broke my heart. I remember telling myself, “I’m no better than my brother. My siblings are never going to look at me the same.” I knew that because I never saw my brother the same. Then when I was processed and charged – I knew it was real. At that moment I knew I really messed up. But at the time I didn’t care. I kept thinking to myself, “Just do what you need to do to get out. No one will care about you. They just see you as just another troubled punk teen.” When I was put on probation it was a week before my 16th birthday. I was only supposed to be on probation for six months. I kept doing things to get in trouble. I had taken every class, every training, every exercise, until they had nothing else to give me. I stood in front of a judge and I remember him telling me that they had nothing left for me. My options at that point were to join an anger management program or to sit the rest of my time in a cell in the Williamson County Juvenile Justice facility. And I really didn’t want to do that. The next meeting I had with my probation officer I hold him that I wasn’t going to go back into custody. He handed me a paper and told me, “Good, because I don’t want to see you back in there.” Once a week for six weeks at 6 p.m. my mom dropped me off at a church. There I met a man by the name of Isaac Rowe. He was the teacher of the anger management class. He wrote a book called I Love Anger, which is kind of ironic. I honestly learned so much in that class. Now I did still get into trouble at home, but nothing as bad as before. Once I finished that class he told us about a “group” for “troubled youth” that met every Thursday night from 6-8 p.m. called Reset Mentoring. At the time I didn’t have a good relationship with my family, so any time I could find something to do away from home I did it. At first, that’s all it was about for me. Then I actually started enjoying myself. Reset Mentoring slowly became a home away from home. I made friends and the adults there didn’t see me as a screw-up. They saw me as a kid that needed guidance and help.  I am twenty-one years old and I still attend the Thursday night group. I am now a leader, a volunteer, and help plan Reset Mentoring's annual events. Every year Reset Mentoring throws a Christmas party. From serving food to giving every kid in the program, not just one present, but multiple presents. And for some kids, that’s the only Christmas they get. I have come so far since I started the program, and now I get to witness this program change the lives of so many young teens. For me, the phrase Love Came at Christmas means, no matter where you are in life, there are always people who will understand and will be willing to help you. The mistake(s) you made don’t define who you are. There is always a place for you, normally it’s where you least expect it. Reset Mentoring is a “home” for the kids that don’t have one. I am so blessed to be a part of such an amazing thing. My name is Angel, I am 21 years old, and I have made mistakes, but I learned from them. I just want to say thank you to everyone that helped me through the hard times and taught me everything I have learned. Now it’s my turn to help others with the knowledge I have gained over the years. Now the exciting question is, “What’s next for me?” What is "Love Came Down at Christmas"?Have you ever wondered what Christmas is like for Reset Mentoring's teens? While we are decorating, many of our teens are wondering if they will have electricity or water or food in their house, much less a Christmas dinner or gifts under a tree. In the past when some of our teens were asked what they do for Christmas they stated: • Nothing special, my mom won’t have money until she gets her taxes. • We’ll cook whatever we have in the house. • We don’t have a tree, that’s only for rich people. • Now that I’m older (13) I don’t get gifts so there's money for the little kids' gifts. Have you ever been touched by God’s extravagant love? That is what Reset Mentoring's Love Came Down at Christmas is for our at-risk teens. It is a time during which they are shown extravagant love. A way of saying God sees you. When we asked the teens to provide us a wish list so that someone could "adopt" them (their gift) for Christmas, we heard comments such as these: • It can be anything? Not something really expensive, but anything? • Why would someone want to get me a present? How can you show god's extravagant love this year?• Volunteer to donate a teen's Christmas gift (maximum value $50) • Sponsor a gift making table/Help prep gift making items • Cook a side dish for a Christmas meal To become part of this year’s big Christmas events during which the teens will make gifts for their family members, eat a full Christmas meal, and get to hear the greatest love story ever told, email Amanda@resetmentoring.org.
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refinancing the reset home!By Lorie Goggin When Reset Mentoring purchased the Reset Home we had to do so under my & my husband's name as Reset Mentoring, being so young, could not qualify for a loan. Consequently, for the last 6 months we have been trying and laboring diligently to get the Reset Home refinanced. Why did we need to refinance you ask? There were two main reasons: 1. Taxes! The refinance by the bank is part commercial loan and part personal loan which allows us to file the Reset Home completely under Reset Mentoring's name. This allows us to claim tax-exempt status for the Reset Home! 2. No more PMI Insurance! These two things combined will save reset over $7,820.00 per year … Do you know what kind of things we could do with over $7,820.00 in savings? In the first two years of savings, here’s what we hope to : Ten Sunday Fun Day’s Nine Teen Nights Eight in Driver’s Ed Seven Love Came Down Sponsors Six Life Skill Classes Five Mortgage Payments Four Pay Checks* Three Utilities Two Teens in College And Many Teens Who Meet One Jesus! Did you sing that to the tune of 12 days of Christmas? I worked really hard on that so IF not, go back and read it again, it is way more fun that way! 😊 *Also, yes we know our staff needs a raise! SO … Here is our BIG ASK! Friday, December 20th, I received a call that we were approved for our refinance and that all I needed to do was have the board members sign a document, gather up my bank documents … OH, and bring two checks to closing on December 23rd. Check One for $1,953.88 and Check Two for $6,548.11 (which we hope to get back once we submit for our tax exempt status – but we don’t know how long that will take!). OUCH! We have the funds to cover this, but this will leave us with VERY little money to pay mortgage, utilities, food, or salary come January 1st! We NEED your help – I know, it’s Christmas and End of Year. If you have it in your heart (or wallet) to make a donation directly through our website, it would mean A LOT. On top of this, every donation made will be MATCHED through a very generous donor so even just $25 could make such a difference! With every donation, this means we can cover everything on the chart above PLUS you get all of my gratitude and a Jesus well done! Pray for me that my faith will hold. The past 10 years has been one long exercise in faith – learning to hear from God and then standing in what He says even when it doesn’t “look right” or “seem possible.” All anyone has to do is click on the link below to donate. It’s that easy! If you can, forward this to your circles of influence, business associates, friends, etc., who you think may be interested in partnering with Reset Mentoring. Thank you all! I pray that you have a very Merry Christmas gathered around a manger to celebrate the Light of the World! love came down at christmasSaturday and Sunday, December 14 and 15, we hosted our annual Love Came Down events! Saturday's event was a beautiful celebration where teens were fed and given the opportunity to make gifts for their families! Our hearts are just SO full this Christmas season seeing the teens filled with joy and thanks! Thank you to EVERY single person who made this event possible! From our teen adopters to our cooks to the volunteers who manned the gift booths! We could never have done it without you! Our adopters: Mary Begin Spraggins, Tracy Tucker, Leyviana Spillane, Laura Hancock, Natalie Tucker, Melannie Bianco, Lori Waller Dillon, Lisa Judge Hammonds, Stephen Goggin, Dawn Grimm White, Christopher Martinez, Sharon Keyser-Harvey, Matthew Harvey, Maria Lopez Harrington, Valerie Renz, Karen Markins, Dorothy Shoemaker, Cindy Lenz, Lorrie Blackmon Townsend, Audra Erskine Tussing, Rose King, Lacie Burrow, and Michelle Hilton Our volunteers: Ellie Shellenberger, Lonna Kelly, Catelin Alldredge, Kyleigh Brunson, Tyler Hutchens, Christopher Martinez, Cindy Nelson, Karen Markins, Vicki Larkin, Randy Smith, Carlos Guerrero, Karen Smith, Robert Smith, Jim Keck, Richelle, Malik Abdul-Khalif, Maria Harrington, Amanda Hadeen, Lisa Hammonds, Lorri Townsend, Cindy Lenz, Kurt Volkmer, Luis Collazo, and Rick Hamilton Our Food Volunteers: Sharon Harvey, The Pit BBQ, Pam Lowthorp, Jen Stutz, Denise Mowatt, Laura Stewart, Valerie Gonzales, April Wiede, Rose Moss, Natalie Tucker, Anthony Hernandez Insurance, Ed Talley Real Estate, Maggie Jung, and Kurt Volkmer Finally HUGE thanks to Jennifer Kreiter for decorating the community rooms into a beautiful candy wonderland! merry Christmas!By: Lorie GOgginAs we close out this decade, the last few weeks have been a whirlwind of looking back over the last TEN years. Starting in 2009 with a word from God, “I’m going to use your book to reach incarcerated teens.” Then, moving into 2010 when God opened doors to start a faith-based mentoring program for teens and we hosted our first Christmas event which blessed three teens in a room smaller than my office. It is a far cry to the ‘Love Came Down’ events of today or even last year, when we hosted over 25 teens in our newly purchased Reset Home. We spread out among all the empty rooms of the house that God built -- rooms with no flooring or paint to cover the newly installed drywall. The very next day we went into the juvenile facility where we helped another 25 teens make gifts and learn the importance of the LOVE that came down in a manger. That was the first year I attended the parent dinner and got to see the teens present the gifts they made to their families; such pride and love flowed as they expressed their love to siblings and parents with gifts made with their own hands. Many of you have journeyed with us over the years, watching as God has blessed and grown what He called us to do. You have seen my hair turn from red to grey and back again. You have been there by our side with prayers, donations of time, talent, and treasure -- faithfully planting seeds that we have the joy of watching grow. This year we will have over 60 teens making six to seven gifts each that they will be able to give to their families to show their love; it will also provide the opportunity for them to see firsthand the joy that comes from giving to others. Even more than gifts, we are building a sense of family, God’s family. A group that is safe and protects them; there in the good times and bad times no matter how old they get or how far they have gone. Each one knows when they pick up a phone, make a post, or send a text, a group of adults who have loved them and poured into them is there, ready with a shoulder, piece of advice, or a prayer. Just this week we witnessed a beautiful thing as our older teens and mentors comforted a younger teen on a group chat over the loss of someone they all cared for. Prayers were typed and shared, love poured out and healing began. This is how we are called to be the hands and feet of Christ. To get involved in the messy, painful, and sometimes trauma filled lives of the teens we serve. Our mentors are a special breed of people. Willing to love through mistakes, silence, and sin -- never knowing when the seeds planted will bring fruit, but holding onto HOPE -- that ONE day when we least expect it, we will see the fruit that comes from planting our seeds, watering with tears, and sowing in God’s field. Will you consider joining us this year? As a mentor? As a monthly partner, year-end donor, or special Christmas supporter? We have five gift booths that haven’t been sponsored to date. Choose an amount, go online, and make a donation under “Love Came Down for Christmas” -- Booth 1 $160; Booth 2 $210; Booth 3 $200; Booth 4 $200; Booth 5 $100; and Booth 6 $125 Thank you Sean and Maria Harrington, Lorrie Townsend, Cindy Lenz, Vicki Larkin, and Pam Lowthorp for sponsoring booths and donating supplies! Thank you to all our Teen Gift Adopters! Your willingness to shop and wrap gifts for our teens affects them in more ways that you can imagine! Dawn White, Mary Spraggins, Tracy Tucker, Audra Tussing, Michelle Hilton, Lacy Burrow, Lori Dillon, Laura Hancock, Rose King, Sharon and Matt Harvey, Karen Markins, Valerie Lenz, Natalie Tucker, Melanie Bianco, and Leyvianne Spillane If you would like to purchase a Christmas gift for a teen ($50 maximum), we need five more teen gift adopters!  Working within Reset Mentoring — An Intern’s Perspective by Rose Cutrer
Although I have volunteered with Reset Mentoring as a mentor in the past, interning with the organization was a fresh, new, and exciting learning experience. First, I had the opportunity to see the operations of the organization through an administrative lens. In addition, I had the chance for some valuable hands-on experience by working directly with volunteers, staff, and teens within CORE in Williamson Country Juvenile Justice Center and at the Reset Home during weekly Teen nights. This experience has been beyond worthwhile and preparative, especially working alongside the Executive director and founder, Lorie Goggin, and her Executive Assistant, Amanda Hadeen, on the organization's operations and dynamics of working with diverse communities. Another extremely rewarding part of this experience was being a part of the supportive community that Reset has developed for the teens they serve. The most challenging part of the experience will be saying goodbye to the incredible teens, volunteers, and staff I have connected with during my internship. Through the administrative experience, I learned how to utilize practical tools to generate funds and maintain operations for my future organization. For instance, I learned how to write, research, and edit grant applications. In addition, I developed practical methods to track business operations and evaluate programs such as monthly budgets, reports, client surveys, and learning module worksheets for the teens residing in the Reset Home. Also, I received valuable training through Williamson County Juvenile Justice Services PRIA Abuse and Neglect, Trust Based Relational Intervention, and the Mental Health in Schools Conference. Moreover, I have received hands on experience through working alongside staff and volunteers to conduct client survey-interviews, and plan and host several events for teens within Williamson County Juvenile Justice Center and in the community. The internship experience with Reset Mentoring has provided me such invaluable, applicable lessons that I can carry into my future career as an Executive Director of a nonprofit. For instance, the structure and system within Reset Mentoring has inspired me to develop a similar mentor program, organizational model, and supportive community in order to serve orphans and at-risk youth around the world, beginning in South Africa. In addition, by observing Lorie, her staff, and the volunteers I have learned the importance of leadership traits that directly impact the success of an organization and the progress of the population being served within an organization—compassion, vulnerability, authenticity, drive, consistency, and love. Through Reset Mentoring I have learned that a nonprofit is so much more than just an organization that provides services; it’s a family that chooses to walk alongside and empower its people through all of life’s challenges. Ultimately, interning with Reset Mentoring was a springboard that will launch me into my career as a Director of a Nonprofit in 2020— that will provide orphans and at-risk youth around the world a loving family and supportive community.  We are so excited to introduce Randy Smith to you! His joining Reset Mentoring as Houseparent brings us another step closer to opening the Reset Home to boys needing a safe place to live. Recently, Randy sat down with Lorie Goggin, Reset Mentoring's Executive Director, to talk about his role as houseparent. Lorie: Randy Smith has been a mentor for Reset Mentoring for two years. In that time he has mentored five young men and they have all been very drawn to Randy. There's something about him, the Spirit in him, that draws these young men. So when he decided he wanted to be a houseparent for the Reset Home, we were very excited to have him come and join us. Randy, can you tell us a little bit about why you think God led you to be a Reset Home Houseparent? Randy: I think part of it is that I've had so many aspects of my life that mirrored what these children are going through. I suffered addiction, I suffered pride, I suffered anger, I suffered resentment, unforgiveness ... so many things. I think that when these things are pulled together God takes that package and decides he can use it somewhere. And it becomes a blessing. I also think that at 58 years old, I only came to Christ three years ago, and so my brokenness is so near to me, so new, that I can relate to it, I can understand it. I see the process of when it happens. It's not like I've been sitting on 25 years of leaving that behind. I think that freshness is a strength. Lorie: Awesome! What are you looking forward to the most about having boys moving into the house and sharing your life? Randy: Sharing Christ. Lately, the message I've been getting and speaking and praying about is that there's no doubt that addiction counseling is important. Counseling in our lives is so important but it's the Lord that opens it up and lets us give our pain over and receive healing. So, without God as our strength, that [counseling] doesn't always work. Lorie: What can people be praying for you as you step into this season? Randy: Calm, understanding, patience, love... and that's for the whole house, not just me, but also the children. So we're praying for unity, for agreement, that all the boys coming in at some point will realize they are all seeking the same things. That we can have family discussions about the glory of God and what he is doing in our lives. Lorie: I love that Randy. I know the boys are going to need things when they come into the house. They're not going to have very many clothes with them, shampoo, those types of things. So, if somebody wanted to send you a gift card to help you go out and buy a welcome kit for the boys that would include razors, shaving cream, shampoo, and boxers, at what store would you like to go shopping? Randy: Well, we need it to go quite a ways! So, Target, Walmart... I wouldn't want to see something like a Tommy Hilfiger [gift card] because that would get one item instead of 100 items! Lorie: If anyone wants to help with the boys coming into the Reset Home, one can send a gift card to Reset Home, C/O Reset Mentoring, P.O. Box 914, Leander, Texas 78646, and we will make sure the boys get what they need when they come into the Home. Thank you Randy for sharing your hopes and prayer requests with us! SUPPORT RESET MENTORING AND ENJOY A GREAT BREAKFAST!  until someone is hurting! |
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Join us for an exciting event!
Fajitas, Fun, and Philanthropy!
Raffle Prizes and Silent Auction!
SALE! Table for Eight for the Price of Seven!
Fajitas, Fun, and Philanthropy!
Raffle Prizes and Silent Auction!
SALE! Table for Eight for the Price of Seven!
Reset home update!
What has running water, appliances, flooring, and is move-in ready?
If you guessed the RESET Home you would be correct! Since July of 2018 Chuck Ponce has been diligently working to RESET everything in the home. From scheduling contractors to asking his business associates to give and donate their time -- he's been there. He has overseen drywall, shower tiling, hot water heater installation, float and tape, paint... you name it. It has been a work of love as the project more than quadrupled in size. Faithfully and patiently, Chuck worked with the Director (who knows NOTHING about construction, matching colors, or door knob installation) and created a work of art.
Each time I walk into the house I’m amazed at what God has provided for these boys. This house is a symbol of how much God cares for them, how He has seen them go without water, electricity, or food. It says, "You have not gone unnoticed. I see you." It says, “I’m the God that makes a way when it seems there is no way.” It screams, you matter!
Our next step is foster parents. As we were talking about what we want these house parents to be, one of our donors said, “I sure hope Jesus has a brother.” We had to laugh, because she was right. We’ve added that we hope Jesus has a brother and sister and that they are married. Because the mom and dad in this house will need to be a special combination:
Whew, now you see what we mean! But I know that God has prepared the perfect fit for these boys. As you see look at the pictures of the Reset Home and hear miracle after miracle of what God has done, you will know without a doubt that the perfect house parents are out there. Their hearts are already prepared and they will change the trajectory of these boys' lives, as well as the generations after them.
If you guessed the RESET Home you would be correct! Since July of 2018 Chuck Ponce has been diligently working to RESET everything in the home. From scheduling contractors to asking his business associates to give and donate their time -- he's been there. He has overseen drywall, shower tiling, hot water heater installation, float and tape, paint... you name it. It has been a work of love as the project more than quadrupled in size. Faithfully and patiently, Chuck worked with the Director (who knows NOTHING about construction, matching colors, or door knob installation) and created a work of art.
Each time I walk into the house I’m amazed at what God has provided for these boys. This house is a symbol of how much God cares for them, how He has seen them go without water, electricity, or food. It says, "You have not gone unnoticed. I see you." It says, “I’m the God that makes a way when it seems there is no way.” It screams, you matter!
Our next step is foster parents. As we were talking about what we want these house parents to be, one of our donors said, “I sure hope Jesus has a brother.” We had to laugh, because she was right. We’ve added that we hope Jesus has a brother and sister and that they are married. Because the mom and dad in this house will need to be a special combination:
- Love Jesus and seek to BE like Him
- Understand trauma and its effects on the brain; be willing to learn and grow and parent with past trauma in mind
- If they understand trauma through life’s pain; they need to be FULLY healed
- We’d like one parent to work outside the home and one to stay in the home to help get the boys to school, band, athletics, appointments, jobs (all the things they never had before)
- Work hand in hand with Reset staff and volunteers (this will be easy as we will be helping with transportation, Life skill modules, and some of the grunt work to make their life easier)
- Plugged into a local church where there are plenty of opportunities for teens to get plugged in, serve and grow
- Extremely organized yet able to go with the flow (this will be hard)
- Compassionate but not overly emotional and easily offended
- Mature mentally and spiritually but not preachy
- Passion for discipling man cubs
Whew, now you see what we mean! But I know that God has prepared the perfect fit for these boys. As you see look at the pictures of the Reset Home and hear miracle after miracle of what God has done, you will know without a doubt that the perfect house parents are out there. Their hearts are already prepared and they will change the trajectory of these boys' lives, as well as the generations after them.
Is there anything too difficult for the Lord? Nothing will be impossible with God! From Genesis to Jesus we are reminded that with God mountains move, hearts heal, miracles happen, and the impossible becomes reality.
If you have been following Reset Mentoring this year, you have no doubt seen the excitement we have all felt as we watched God move. BUT -- did you know that while this year looked like a new beginning, it was the culmination of over eight years of believing God for things we could not see. For over two years we had our teens praying for the perfect place for teen nights, life skill classes, and a home where boys who had nowhere safe to live could have a family.
As we hosted our 2018 Love Came Down Christmas party this year at the home they have been believing for, one boy leaned in and said, “Well God did it, we knew He would, we had been praying for it for a long time." The floors aren’t in, the paint isn’t on the walls, but that day we didn’t care. We had lights, food, and love -- and that was all we needed!
If you have been following Reset Mentoring this year, you have no doubt seen the excitement we have all felt as we watched God move. BUT -- did you know that while this year looked like a new beginning, it was the culmination of over eight years of believing God for things we could not see. For over two years we had our teens praying for the perfect place for teen nights, life skill classes, and a home where boys who had nowhere safe to live could have a family.
As we hosted our 2018 Love Came Down Christmas party this year at the home they have been believing for, one boy leaned in and said, “Well God did it, we knew He would, we had been praying for it for a long time." The floors aren’t in, the paint isn’t on the walls, but that day we didn’t care. We had lights, food, and love -- and that was all we needed!
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What started as a simple remodel was hijacked by a rodent infestation which required us to put on hazmat suites and remove all the insulation and drywall. Good thing we did because that revealed issues with the AC venting and wiring that had been chewed through. At times (if I’m truthful) it all seemed like too much. What should have cost $30,000 and taken 3 months turned into much more than that. BUT every step of the way God brought funding and workers into the project to help with the next thing. I have learned what relying on God for your daily bread feels like. Sometimes I would go to bed praying, “God we have looked for drywall for 2 months, tomorrow is the deadline, we need it tomorrow;” only to have a supporter come by and say, "We took up a collection in our small group and we want to pay for the drywall." We have found when you want to live a life of faith, sometimes that faith will be tested; yet God will always show himself faithful.
As we gathered for our Christmas celebration, none of that matter. My mind flashed backed to all the lessons we have been able to teach the teens over the last few years -- praying, believing, living a life God can bless. And, showing them that even in the waiting, God is worthy of our praise. Valuable life lessons they can use now and carry with them for later. Seeds planted from which we trust God to bring fruit.
If you want to get involved and make a difference, or if you just need to make a year-end tax-deductible donation, we ask you to consider Reset Mentoring. We are transparent and wise with our donors' hard earned funds. Reset Mentoring is looking to raise $10,000 so we can have tile flooring that looks like wood throughout the house. With boys living there, we believe this will be the best long-term investment. You can make a one-time gift by clicking the link below and choosing Reset Home if you would like to help with the flooring.
As we gathered for our Christmas celebration, none of that matter. My mind flashed backed to all the lessons we have been able to teach the teens over the last few years -- praying, believing, living a life God can bless. And, showing them that even in the waiting, God is worthy of our praise. Valuable life lessons they can use now and carry with them for later. Seeds planted from which we trust God to bring fruit.
If you want to get involved and make a difference, or if you just need to make a year-end tax-deductible donation, we ask you to consider Reset Mentoring. We are transparent and wise with our donors' hard earned funds. Reset Mentoring is looking to raise $10,000 so we can have tile flooring that looks like wood throughout the house. With boys living there, we believe this will be the best long-term investment. You can make a one-time gift by clicking the link below and choosing Reset Home if you would like to help with the flooring.
INTERVIEW WITH A TEEN
Sometimes we like to go straight to the source and see what our teens have to say about their mentors. This young man graduated from CORE (Williamson County Juvenile Services in-custody treatment program) in January of 2018. We have continued to watched him grow (even though he moved to another county). Reset has made sure to keep in contact with Simon, including attending his High School graduation, helping with FASFA so he could begin college, making a way for him to get his driver's permit, and cheering him on through his first semester at college. His mentor makes the long drive to pick him up for serve day events at the Reset Home and the occasional monster truck rally. He recently began a new job and we cannot wait to see where God leads this young man next.
Reset: Can you tell us what having a mentor has meant to you?
Simon: Marc means a lot to me honestly. I keep in contact with him as much as I can. Ever since I went on my first furlough with Marc, I've felt pretty much alive being with him since I see it as a time where I can socialize. So I enjoy spending time with him, I never get the feeling of dread that I usually get when I make plans with friends when I'm planning with him.
Reset: What is the biggest hindrance in seeing your mentor?
Simon: If I'm not mistaken, I don't live within the area that Reset Mentoring functions, so we email and see each other once a month. But sending emails is a bit awkward so we don't communicate as much. Even though I live in another county, Reset has helped me nonetheless with me getting my learner's permit. I do plan on spending more time with him when I'm able to drive myself around.
Reset: Can you tell us what having a mentor has meant to you?
Simon: Marc means a lot to me honestly. I keep in contact with him as much as I can. Ever since I went on my first furlough with Marc, I've felt pretty much alive being with him since I see it as a time where I can socialize. So I enjoy spending time with him, I never get the feeling of dread that I usually get when I make plans with friends when I'm planning with him.
Reset: What is the biggest hindrance in seeing your mentor?
Simon: If I'm not mistaken, I don't live within the area that Reset Mentoring functions, so we email and see each other once a month. But sending emails is a bit awkward so we don't communicate as much. Even though I live in another county, Reset has helped me nonetheless with me getting my learner's permit. I do plan on spending more time with him when I'm able to drive myself around.
 | Reset: You have had some big life events in the past year, how did it feel to have Marc there? Simon: When it came to my High School graduation, and he showed up, along with Ms. Lorie and Ms. Jessica, I was glad to see that he cared enough to participate in my major life events, even though I live far away now. Reset: What have you learned from Reset Mentoring? Simon: Helpful skills that I learned from the other mentors when I met them on Sunday Fundays that I still use to this day. All-in-all, I'm glad Reset Mentoring and Marc are a part of my life. |
Reset: Thank you for participating with the interview Simon. We are so thankful that God chose to let us be a part of your life!
Save the date!
Reset mentoring's
When: Thursday, May 2nd, 2019
Where: Georgetown San Gabriel Community Center
Address: 445 E. Morrow Street
Georgetown, Texas
Doors Open at 6:30 PM
Where: Georgetown San Gabriel Community Center
Address: 445 E. Morrow Street
Georgetown, Texas
Doors Open at 6:30 PM
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A few weeks ago, while meeting with staff of Williamson County Juvenile Justice about the plans for the new Reset Home, we received an amazing compliment.
The Chief shared that while we're moving ahead with Reset Home, he wanted to make sure we would still do the mentoring, Sunday Funday, and life skill classes. What that said to me was that Reset Mentoring has become a valuable part of the teens' progress. I thought to myself, “What a great compliment to the hard work of our mentors who have volunteered their time over the last 9 years.”
This compliment leaves us with an ISSUE! Most of the teens in CORE (long term custody program) are boys. We NEED more male mentors! We are working with kids from Florence to Pflugerville, Taylor to Liberty Hill, and everywhere in between. We need mentors who are willing to donate four hours a week to shine a light into the lives of these young men.
What does mentoring look like? We’re glad you asked! It looks like movies or walks, playing sports or instruments, driving around or fixing a car, helping with a job hunt or getting plugged into school, taking them to church, getting them connected, and listening. We say, “Just do life and teach by example!” A lot of the kids think Christians are just boring and stuffy. And that couldn’t be further from the truth! We have power lifting mentors, fishing mentors, mechanic mentors, and adventurous mentors.
If you are a man who loves Jesus and is fun loving, give us a call! If you know of any men who love Jesus and are fun loving, encourage them to call us or visit our website. (Forward this email to them!) Step in and shine the light!
The Chief shared that while we're moving ahead with Reset Home, he wanted to make sure we would still do the mentoring, Sunday Funday, and life skill classes. What that said to me was that Reset Mentoring has become a valuable part of the teens' progress. I thought to myself, “What a great compliment to the hard work of our mentors who have volunteered their time over the last 9 years.”
This compliment leaves us with an ISSUE! Most of the teens in CORE (long term custody program) are boys. We NEED more male mentors! We are working with kids from Florence to Pflugerville, Taylor to Liberty Hill, and everywhere in between. We need mentors who are willing to donate four hours a week to shine a light into the lives of these young men.
What does mentoring look like? We’re glad you asked! It looks like movies or walks, playing sports or instruments, driving around or fixing a car, helping with a job hunt or getting plugged into school, taking them to church, getting them connected, and listening. We say, “Just do life and teach by example!” A lot of the kids think Christians are just boring and stuffy. And that couldn’t be further from the truth! We have power lifting mentors, fishing mentors, mechanic mentors, and adventurous mentors.
If you are a man who loves Jesus and is fun loving, give us a call! If you know of any men who love Jesus and are fun loving, encourage them to call us or visit our website. (Forward this email to them!) Step in and shine the light!
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This is a great time to become a mentor. You can start by coming to Sunday Fundays (twice a month, 2-5 pm) to meet all the kids. It's exciting to see connections being made and mentor relationships forming when a teen and a mentor mesh during Sunday Fundays!
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Thank you very much for carrying for so long and so well this vision that God has given us. I cannot wait to see what he does next! Be blessed!
Ethan's gift
Thursday evening we took some of our teens to the Reset Home to pray over the demo and all that will be happening in the future. You could feel God throughout the house and it was amazing! What I didn't know was that God was speaking to one of our teens -- asking him to do something, that to be 100% honest, I might not be able to do.
He leaned over to his adopted dad and told him what God had laid on his heart. (Ask me the story of a Reset teen who had nowhere to go and his mentor who took him in and gave him a forever home full of siblings, cousins, and love -- and how it changed the course of his life!)
When they got home, they gathered as a family and Ethan shared what God had put on his heart. And, as they do with every big decision, they prayed.
The next morning Ethan texted to see if I was home and asked if he could stop by. After I opened the door to my sweet Ethan, he came in and told me that the previous night God had asked him to do something...empty his bank account (the money he had been saving for 2 years to buy a car) and give it to the Reset Home.
I was already crying. Then he told me how much was in the envelope he held in his hand, and I started bawling like a baby. "Are you sure Ethan?" I stammered. I wasn't sure if I could accept it. When Chuck told me that he and Jeanie (adoptive parents) had prayed with him and they okayed it, I knew I couldn't stand in the way of this blessing.
Thank you Ethan for contributing to our triple match. Your $800 will become $2,400 to help with the construction costs of Reset Home! I am amazed at how you have grown since you moved into your new home and I love the way you serve the Lord each Sunday.
Watching Ethan's growth was one of the reasons I became convinced that a home with foster parents who would pour into the lives of teens and get them connected in church and school, would be the answer to the problem of "What if I have nowhere to go?"
Won't you consider joining Ethan in donating to the remodeling of Reset Home and impacting the future of the teens who will live there?
He leaned over to his adopted dad and told him what God had laid on his heart. (Ask me the story of a Reset teen who had nowhere to go and his mentor who took him in and gave him a forever home full of siblings, cousins, and love -- and how it changed the course of his life!)
When they got home, they gathered as a family and Ethan shared what God had put on his heart. And, as they do with every big decision, they prayed.
The next morning Ethan texted to see if I was home and asked if he could stop by. After I opened the door to my sweet Ethan, he came in and told me that the previous night God had asked him to do something...empty his bank account (the money he had been saving for 2 years to buy a car) and give it to the Reset Home.
I was already crying. Then he told me how much was in the envelope he held in his hand, and I started bawling like a baby. "Are you sure Ethan?" I stammered. I wasn't sure if I could accept it. When Chuck told me that he and Jeanie (adoptive parents) had prayed with him and they okayed it, I knew I couldn't stand in the way of this blessing.
Thank you Ethan for contributing to our triple match. Your $800 will become $2,400 to help with the construction costs of Reset Home! I am amazed at how you have grown since you moved into your new home and I love the way you serve the Lord each Sunday.
Watching Ethan's growth was one of the reasons I became convinced that a home with foster parents who would pour into the lives of teens and get them connected in church and school, would be the answer to the problem of "What if I have nowhere to go?"
Won't you consider joining Ethan in donating to the remodeling of Reset Home and impacting the future of the teens who will live there?
ENTRY WRITTEN BY LORIE GOGGIN
ANNOUNCING ...RESET HOME!
By Lorie Goggin
Collins English Dictionary defines RESET as a transitive verb and it simply says, ‘to set again.’ It goes on to say, if you reset a machine or device, it is ready to work again or perform a particular function. For some of the teens we serve, that ‘particular function’ is ‘normalcy.’ Learning how to live in a home setting with adult role models who provide boundaries and love while they learn the skills they need to be successful adults.
A place where there will be life skills training, teen nights, and support to ensure they have the things they need to be successful: driver’s license, school support, job training, learning how to budget, do home repair, and cook… all the things teens need to be successful adults.
When God gave us a vision for Reset Home – a property in Round Rock with two structures on it and on the bus line – there were a couple of problems. 1) Round Rock didn’t have a bus line yet. 2) As I began looking for properties I couldn’t find anything that fit that description or our needs for under $400,000 as we had to find a special zoning area where homes and businesses existed side by side.
I started thinking maybe I heard Round Rock wrong. Then one Thursday while driving down the street checking out a house for sale on Egger Ave in Round Rock with my mentee, she looked at me and said, “Miss, I think that’s our home.” Monday morning I called my realtor, by Tuesday we made an offer, and on Wednesday we had a contract! After two years, God answered in three days! There are so many God stories behind the Reset Home. Next time you see one of our mentors or staff, ask them to share one with you.
Now we have a big property with two structures on it, walking distance to the bus route in Round Rock – just like God told us we would! Tuesday we sign the papers on the home. I should be terrified, but to tell you the truth, I’m so excited! God has been with us from the very beginning. If you have followed us since 2009, you will remember God launched this whole thing with the words, “I’m going to use your book to reach incarcerated teens.” Since 2009 he has indeed reached incarcerated teens – with volunteers and mentors and people who give of their time, talent, and treasure to spread light and be the hands and feet. God has been with us from the beginning and I know he will be with us until the end, as long as we keep following His voice.
I hope you will continue this God-journey with us. I get excited when I think of where we’ve come from and where we’re going… all that God is going to do! It amazes me that he uses the foolish things of the world to confound the wise. As we move forward I want to say thank you to all of those at Night Out this year who gave large sums of money to enable us to be able to close today. Without your generous donations, we would not have been able to pay the $40,000 in closing costs and down payment. Thank you for being the hands and feet and making a difference… one teen at a time!
Thank You All!
EXTRA! EXTRA! READ ALL ABOUT IT!
LIVES ARE CHANGED AS DONATIONS ARE TRIPLED
That's right! We have a donor willing to match $2 for every $1 donated to ensure we have the money needed to complete the renovations and updates on the property up to $6,300. That means for every dollar donated for 'Renovations,' Reset Mentoring receives $3! Have a bake sale and raise $100, that turns into $300! Old furniture you need to get rid of? Have a garage sale, raise $400 and it turns to $1,200! If we meet the double matching goal and raise $6,300 for ‘Renovations,’ the total amount Reset will receive for the Renovations will be $18,900. If by some miracle we don’t use that money in the renovations, we will put it towards the principal on the house.
Other ways to be a light and support Reset Home:
Other ways to be a light and support Reset Home:
- Check your employment - many employers double their employee’s donations. Reset is listed on Your Cause and Benevity as a certified 501(c)(3). That means your monthly giving can be doubled!
- Amazon Smile - when you or your office are online shopping, chose Reset Mentoring under Amazon Smile and a portion of everything you spend will be used to support teens in your area.
- I’ll Eat to That! - Reset will be hosting monthly “I’ll Eat to That!” events at specific restaurants on specific dates. Eat like you normally would, turn in your receipt, and earn cash back for Reset. This month "I'll Eat to That!" will be on Saturday, July 21, at Chipotle in Round Rock where 30% of your total bill will be donated to Reset Mentoring!
- Monthly Partner - We are incurring an additional $2,200 per month in cost; so now would be a GREAT time to become a monthly partner!
- PRAY - I was reminded this week of the power of prayer! PRAY for wisdom, guidance, and protection as we move forward.
DEMO DAY!
Many Hands Make Light Work!
Join a Serve Day! Our first demo day will be July 14th! We will be scraping ceilings, pulling up floors, and taking out doors and cabinets. There is plenty of work to go around!
If you attend Celebration Church, we will be meeting on Saturday, July 14, at Celebration at 8:30 a.m. then going to the property. Check out this link for Celebration Church's Serve Day: https://celebration.church/serve-day-2018.
If you prefer to show up at the property (at 9:30 a.m), the address is 1110 Egger Ave, Round Rock, TX! Bring your hammer, crowbar, chisel, gloves, garden shears, protective eyewear, and scrapers. Please be sure to wear protective clothing and footwear. We’ll have the snacks and water ready!
IF you can’t make it on the 14th but have a church group, work friends, or need a neighborhood project, contact us at amanda@resetmentoring.org and we can set up other work days! There is a lot of work to be done. It will take ALL our hands and feet -- and a lot more skill than I possess!
If you attend Celebration Church, we will be meeting on Saturday, July 14, at Celebration at 8:30 a.m. then going to the property. Check out this link for Celebration Church's Serve Day: https://celebration.church/serve-day-2018.
If you prefer to show up at the property (at 9:30 a.m), the address is 1110 Egger Ave, Round Rock, TX! Bring your hammer, crowbar, chisel, gloves, garden shears, protective eyewear, and scrapers. Please be sure to wear protective clothing and footwear. We’ll have the snacks and water ready!
IF you can’t make it on the 14th but have a church group, work friends, or need a neighborhood project, contact us at amanda@resetmentoring.org and we can set up other work days! There is a lot of work to be done. It will take ALL our hands and feet -- and a lot more skill than I possess!
THE NEXT RIGHT THING
by Lorie Goggin, Executive Director
Do the next right thing… that was the title of my sermon last week.
Do the next right thing, even when it’s hard, even if it seems impossible.
As I walked into church service at the Williamson County Juvenile Justice Center this week, the teens were excited to tell me how they ‘chose the next right thing’ during the week. Excited because they knew that if they began choosing to do the next right thing, soon God could trust them with the next right HARD thing. A skill they will need as they prepare to be released back into places where they may have been hurt before, where they will have to face tough choices and make hard decisions.
But today I want to talk about Reset Mentoring’s ‘next right step.’
It is a step that seems impossible at worst and hard at best, but it will be a step that will offer more ‘next right choices’ for the teens we serve. Here’s the heartbreak that led to the ‘next right step':
A boy, I’ll call him L., made some mistakes. He lived life in a hard place with a mom addicted to drugs and unable to care for him. While in custody L. did the hard work of growing and learning. When the time came for his release, there was no parent to take him. After an exhaustive search, the decision had to be made to turn him over to CPS. Heartbreaking for a boy who tried and grew and changed so much. Heartbreaking for a boy who had just accepted Jesus and had to reconcile that with the fact that no one wanted him. This year another boy so proud of himself for obtaining a GED, going through job skill training, and kicking drugs. Yet we all quickly saw what happened when his only choice was to put him back into a home where there were no food, directions, or boundaries. Frustrated because his mom needed him to earn money quickly to help with the bills, he started making money the old way. Soon at 17 he was faced with adult jail time. An 18-year-old, who ‘aged out of the system’ and couldn’t go back home. Given an apartment paid for one month, he would need to find a way to be an adult. But without ID, social security card, driver’s license, bank account, or even a job, how would he be able to do that on his own? Thankfully he didn’t have to as Reset Mentoring (which is mostly privately funded) walked with him through each step he would need to take. He now has a driver’s license, a job, is paying his bills, and he opened both a checking and savings account. THANK YOU to our Monthly Partners!
My heart has grieved over these situations for years, and I have prayed and asked God to step in and do something. Then UGH just like in 2010 when I asked God to do something for little Jessica, he answered this way, “I’m sending you and Reset Mentoring in to do the next best step.” A transitional living home where four to five boys, aged 16-19, can live in a family environment, giving them normalcy and the steps they need to become successful thriving adults. Where they will learn the life skills needed, from budgeting to laundry to meal prep to home repairs. Plus, they would have a chance to finish school, attend college, and get further grounded before facing the world on their own.
First, I am asking you to PRAY. Once again God has downloaded to me the ‘programming side.’ We have life skill classes planned and are ready to walk them through the Nine Steps to successful adulthood. Yet the more research and licensing meetings I attend, the more I realize the enormous size of the task to which we are being called. Our team will need more wisdom than ever before and more knowledge than we possess.
Before we can even apply for licensing we have to have the property and home set up and ready to receive teens. That means funding must be in place. We are hoping to find a property to lease in Round Rock at a relatively low monthly lease. (Unless someone has a property with 4-5 acres they would like to donate on which we could build!) Which means we need 25 people to partner with us at $100 a month OR 12 people willing to make a one time donation of $2,500 to get us through the first year. During the next year as we set up to receive licensing and find the house parents, we will use the home for teen nights, life skill trainings, and office space. For my part, I will be finishing my bachelor’s degree so that I can administer the home and save Reset Mentoring the expense of hiring a full-time administrator.
I told you, it was the next right, impossibly hard thing to do. But below is my mantra for this year, so when you see the team tired or fearful or doubting, when another teen has disappointed and we are questioning if their lives are even worth it, remind us of the mantra, and consider partnering with us.
"Impossible is where God starts. Miracles are what God does."
LOVE CAME DOWN AT CHRISTMAS
After weeks and weeks of careful planning and a lot of love being poured out by sponsors and volunteers, we launched our annual Love Came Down at Christmas! We did it not once but TWICE this year -- one for teens not in custody (Thank you The Exchange Church for use of your facilities!) and one for CORE teens in custody at the Williamson County Juvenile Center. The first party for the non custody teens was a “grinchy wonderland” with Whoville decor galore! Teens enjoyed food, games, laughter, and a beautiful message delivered by our own Lorie Goggin! Each teen was able to create, assemble, and take home 7-8 different types of gifts for family members. Then our teens were blessed by receiving gifts of their very own from generous gift sponsors. The following week we held the second Love Came Down at Christmas Party at the Juvenile Center. Finger foods, games, and gift making were all enjoyed by the grateful teens!
There were so many mixed reactions from both groups of our teens, some expressing gratitude for being able to break bread and eat the only hot meal they would receive this Christmas. Some were beyond thankful they had gifts to give to their own families rather than showing up empty handed! These events are favorites at Reset Mentoring and hands down one of the teens' favorites. It’s our opportunity (and yours) to pour out the love of Christ, the reason for the season, and fill their hearts and bellies when some would normally go without. We are so thankful for the amazing help from our sponsors and volunteers as without them none of this would have been possible!
After weeks and weeks of careful planning and a lot of love being poured out by sponsors and volunteers, we launched our annual Love Came Down at Christmas! We did it not once but TWICE this year -- one for teens not in custody (Thank you The Exchange Church for use of your facilities!) and one for CORE teens in custody at the Williamson County Juvenile Center. The first party for the non custody teens was a “grinchy wonderland” with Whoville decor galore! Teens enjoyed food, games, laughter, and a beautiful message delivered by our own Lorie Goggin! Each teen was able to create, assemble, and take home 7-8 different types of gifts for family members. Then our teens were blessed by receiving gifts of their very own from generous gift sponsors. The following week we held the second Love Came Down at Christmas Party at the Juvenile Center. Finger foods, games, and gift making were all enjoyed by the grateful teens!
There were so many mixed reactions from both groups of our teens, some expressing gratitude for being able to break bread and eat the only hot meal they would receive this Christmas. Some were beyond thankful they had gifts to give to their own families rather than showing up empty handed! These events are favorites at Reset Mentoring and hands down one of the teens' favorites. It’s our opportunity (and yours) to pour out the love of Christ, the reason for the season, and fill their hearts and bellies when some would normally go without. We are so thankful for the amazing help from our sponsors and volunteers as without them none of this would have been possible!
WHAT A SUMMER THIS HAS BEEN!
For a LONG time we have known the key to a teen's success upon release from custody is the support he or she has in the community. In years past it was up to the ‘preacher lady' to connect with teens in placement in the Williamson County Juvenile Facility in order to build relationships, all the while hoping that the connection made was strong enough to be passed to a mentor when the teen was released.
After a couple of years, we started to take in some volunteers for special events, life skill classes, and Christmas parties. As a result, the teens made limited connections with other adults, but it still wasn’t enough. The vision that God gave for re-entry mentoring was much more involved -- mentors and teens having time to build trust and relationships long before the teens were faced with the decisions and temptations of being in their old neighborhoods.
Reset pushed to have mentors assigned earlier in the child’s placement so they could go in to meet and visit with their teens at least a few times before they were released. But the teens needed more. All that changed this summer. True re-entry mentoring took off like a rocket and all we could do was hold on while God fulfilled the vision and promise He made seven years earlier!
For the last four months we have been given unprecedented access to teens inside the Williamson County Juvenile Justice System. The teens can sign up for mentors as part of their initial intake packet, and we begin looking for mentors immediately. We are also hosting two ‘Sunday Fundays’ a month during which the mentors go into the facility to build relationships and get to know the teens in a non-threatening, totally fun environment. The more positive adult interaction the teens have, the stronger the safety net under them when they are released.
SHAMELESS PLUG! MEN -- WE NEED YOU! Four hours a week to show a young man, many with no fathers in their homes, how to become a man of honor and integrity. It is the hardest job you’ll ever LOVE!
In addition to earlier connection with mentors and Sunday Fundays, we have also been able to take teens to conferences (WAVE Teen Conference, Calibrate Men’s Conference, and Radiant Woman’s Conference). Where many, nine to be exact, have followed their profession of faith into the water to be baptized. Just like in your own home, one size doesn’t fit all. Reset Mentoring has worked to provide many opportunities to reach and connect with teens where they are. Through life skills classes, weekly church services, letter writing, Sunday Fun Days, as well as job placement assistance, college and trade school placement, and community service, we are broadening the teens' horizons and setting them up to continue to take their next best steps away from painful pasts and forward into the lives for which they were truly created!
If you would like more information about becoming a mentor, please click on the button below. Currently, we are especially in need of mentors in the Taylor/Hutto area. Please feel free to forward this email to anyone you know who might make a great mentor.
After a couple of years, we started to take in some volunteers for special events, life skill classes, and Christmas parties. As a result, the teens made limited connections with other adults, but it still wasn’t enough. The vision that God gave for re-entry mentoring was much more involved -- mentors and teens having time to build trust and relationships long before the teens were faced with the decisions and temptations of being in their old neighborhoods.
Reset pushed to have mentors assigned earlier in the child’s placement so they could go in to meet and visit with their teens at least a few times before they were released. But the teens needed more. All that changed this summer. True re-entry mentoring took off like a rocket and all we could do was hold on while God fulfilled the vision and promise He made seven years earlier!
For the last four months we have been given unprecedented access to teens inside the Williamson County Juvenile Justice System. The teens can sign up for mentors as part of their initial intake packet, and we begin looking for mentors immediately. We are also hosting two ‘Sunday Fundays’ a month during which the mentors go into the facility to build relationships and get to know the teens in a non-threatening, totally fun environment. The more positive adult interaction the teens have, the stronger the safety net under them when they are released.
SHAMELESS PLUG! MEN -- WE NEED YOU! Four hours a week to show a young man, many with no fathers in their homes, how to become a man of honor and integrity. It is the hardest job you’ll ever LOVE!
In addition to earlier connection with mentors and Sunday Fundays, we have also been able to take teens to conferences (WAVE Teen Conference, Calibrate Men’s Conference, and Radiant Woman’s Conference). Where many, nine to be exact, have followed their profession of faith into the water to be baptized. Just like in your own home, one size doesn’t fit all. Reset Mentoring has worked to provide many opportunities to reach and connect with teens where they are. Through life skills classes, weekly church services, letter writing, Sunday Fun Days, as well as job placement assistance, college and trade school placement, and community service, we are broadening the teens' horizons and setting them up to continue to take their next best steps away from painful pasts and forward into the lives for which they were truly created!
If you would like more information about becoming a mentor, please click on the button below. Currently, we are especially in need of mentors in the Taylor/Hutto area. Please feel free to forward this email to anyone you know who might make a great mentor.
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