After a year of planning, a ministry opportunity that pairs Hope families with Salem youth began last summer with meetings of potential mentors and youth participants. Following the separate meetings, a mixer introducing Hope and Salem participants was held. Thus began the pairing process of seven youth from our Mission Partner Church and seven Hope families.

"I want the big guy to be my mentor." So stated a Salem youth about a Hope member. The "big guy" is Matt Caputo and the Salem youth is Scoobie, a shy, quiet 15-year-old high school sophomore. Scoobie's first solo encouter with Matt was a trip to the Real Seafood restaurant where, as he told his friends, he had "a big shrimp." The shrimp was actually Scoobie's first ever encounter with a lobster tail.

Similar stories come from other youth participants. Lacey, for example, on a trip to Ventura's for lunch, offered that she had never been west of Talmadge Road. It's a growth journey for both the Hope families and Salem youth.

The purpose of the mentoring program is to provide stable, Christian relationships with inner city youth and to expose them to opportunities existing outside the inner city environment. Many of the youth have limited exposure to areas outside their immediate neighborhood. The requirements are a minimum of a one year commitment and regular meetings at least once a month. The relationship can continue as often and long as the participants wish. Mentors are discouraged from giving expensive gifts and including mentorees on lavish trips. The emphasis, instead, is on meaningful time together that promotes spiritual growth for all. For more information, contact John Drowatzky, 419/531-5438.