A decade of loving teens

By: Lorie GOggin

As 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!

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Get Your Early Bird Tickets Here!

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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.