{"id":4596,"date":"2024-12-02T07:56:00","date_gmt":"2024-12-02T12:56:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/yfc.ca\/london\/?p=4596"},"modified":"2024-12-10T12:00:21","modified_gmt":"2024-12-10T17:00:21","slug":"yfc-has-changed-my-life-completely","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/yfc.ca\/london\/2024\/12\/02\/yfc-has-changed-my-life-completely\/","title":{"rendered":"YFC has changed my life completely"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n
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YFC has changed my life completely<\/h2>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

\u201c<\/span><\/span>YFC definitely made a huge difference in my life by bringing me closer to God, because before I barely had a relationship with God or hardly ever spoke to Him, but after being a part of YFC, it brought me closer to God and others who also believed in Him.<\/span>\u201d – M<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYFC has changed my life completely<\/span>. \u00a0<\/span>On the court, <\/span>I\u2019ve<\/span> changed as a player…<\/span>I\u2019ve<\/span> learned to stay <\/span>disciplined,<\/span> and <\/span>I<\/span>\u2019ve<\/span> built the mentality to always put the work <\/span>in.\u00a0 <\/span>Off the court, <\/span>I<\/span>\u2019ve<\/span> learned what it means to be a young man<\/span>.\u00a0 <\/span>M<\/span>y relationship with God changed completely<\/span>. <\/span>Before I would rarely pray, but now I feel more comfortable just talking to Him, like <\/span>H<\/span>e\u2019s<\/span> a regular person.\u201d – L<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t

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On behalf of M & L and all the young people they represent…<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

THANK YOU!<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As we hope you already know, our YFC programs are about MORE\u00a0than basketball and kitchen skills. These are simply the vehicle that God is using to impact the youth in London!<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Keep reading to hear Shamar’s story and how YOU can partner with us to impact even more lives in 2025!<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t<\/div>\r\n\r\n<\/section>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\n\n

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The story of Shamar is an amazing example of how God is using people and programs to share hope…<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"A little over a year ago, we opened our home to a young person who needed stability and guidance. Shamar came to live with us at 14, and, as you can imagine, it was a major transition for him\u2014new home, new school, starting high school \u2026 a lot of new experiences all at once. I asked him about his interests and passions, trying to understand what we could do to support him. Without hesitation, he said, “basketball.” Before long, Shamar was able to join a competitive basketball team and start playing with his high school.<\/em><\/p>\n

Through basketball, he met some incredible young men who became friends and a positive influence in his life. I often heard them talk about Coach Jay and Team Compass, and I realized just how much of a mentor Coach Jay was to Shamar\u2019s friends.<\/strong> Then, one day at a high school basketball game, I had the pleasure of meeting Jay in person. Right there, in that gym, I understood what Shamar appreciated about Coach Jay, and it wasn’t just his basketball skills! He cares deeply about each young man that God brings across his path!<\/em><\/p>\n

We were able to arrange one-on-one training time for Shamar with Coach Jay. Every session left Shamar more inspired, more motivated, and looking forward to his next opportunity to be around Jay! That connection grew stronger over the summer when Shamar joined YFC youth for a trip to Muskoka. What he experienced there was beyond anything I could have imagined. It went well beyond having a great time with friends. What he gained was something much deeper\u2014he felt seen, heard, and valued.<\/em><\/p>\n

As the team shared stories and opened up about their own struggles, they all realized that as young men, they\u2019re not alone in their challenges.<\/strong> They began to support each other in ways that help them feel truly connected and understood. Everyone has a story, and while our stories might look different on the surface, the emotions behind them are often the same. Shamar came home from Muskoka with a new perspective and, perhaps most importantly, a sense of belonging. He is not alone anymore!<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

As we talked about his time with the team, he shared something with me that I think says so much about the impact of what YFC, Jay and Team Compass provide. He told me that with Jay and the team, he felt like he belonged.<\/strong> With all the changes and upheaval, he knows that we love him deeply however this external sense of belonging and acceptance has sparked something in him\u2014a realization that his possibilities are limitless.<\/em><\/p>\n

We are so thankful to have found YFC, Team Compass and Coach Jay!<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Beyond the game itself, something even more profound has touched Shamar\u2019s life through his connection with Jay. Shamar had not grown up with the Word of God, and it was something unfamiliar to him. Jay has a unique way of making faith accessible and, in his own way, \u201ccool\u201d for young people. It\u2019s been life-changing not only for Shamar and our family but for everyone who encounters Jay and is part of the team family! The values that Jay instills are woven with faith, compassion, and hope, creating an environment where these young men don\u2019t just learn the game\u2014they learn how to navigate life and discover their purpose.\u202f<\/em><\/p>\n

Today, Shamar is not only continuing to develop as a basketball player but fully committed to growing with this new \u201cCompass family\u201d! I don\u2019t think there\u2019s another team out there that could have offered him this level of support, mentorship, genuine connection…and hope! Thank you!\u00a0 – Kylie Ellis<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

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As an organization, YFC London has been able to impact youth in all our programs: youth volunteers in Cafe Connect are learning how to confidently maneuver in a working environment while giving back to the community, basketball players are learning how to thrive\u00a0on and off the court in Compass Basketball, and students are asking the big questions about life at school lunch outreaches.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

But we can only do so much when funds are needed to expand our programs. This is where your partnership is critical!<\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As our team plans for 2025, we are reviewing the successes of 2024 and dreaming of possibilities for the future! God is opening opportunities only He could have orchestrated, and we are inviting you to partner with us in those opportunities through your financial generosity. \u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Youth need to have a place to belong, people who believe in them, and someone greater than themselves to believe in. YFC exists to provide and share these with the young people in our community as we join with the mission of God in our city.<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The time is <\/span>now<\/span><\/b> to reach more students\u00a0with God\u2019s message of hope in a world that is feeling\u00a0more precarious to so many of our young people. As we heard, Shamar was longing to belong, and Compass Basketball has become\u00a0his chosen family! How amazing would it be if we could duplicate this experience for even more Shamars? THIS is our dream across the board; through the cafe, youth programming and basketball! <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As a community we need to ask, \u201cWho is speaking into the lives of youth providing guidance and direction?\u201d Josh Shipp said it best, \u201cEvery kid is one caring adult away from being a success story,” and everything we do is about being that caring adult for the young people along their journey.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Can you help us make this a reality?<\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Please take the time to prayerfully consider your part in this opportunity to make a difference in even more young people in London. We have a <\/span>goal of $75,000<\/span><\/b>\u00a0to expand our current programs. <\/span>Will you partner with us with a monthly commitment or one time gift before year\u2019s end so we can confidently plan for 2025? <\/span><\/b>Click here to donate online!<\/a> <\/span> We are blessed to live in Canada where charitable donations also receive a tax receipt so you will want to get your gift to us before December 31<\/span>st<\/span> for this tax year.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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If you prefer to drop off a cheque, note our holiday hours:<\/p>\n

Dec 23: 9 AM –\u00a0 2 PM<\/p>\n

Dec 24, 25, 26, 27: Office Closed<\/p>\n

Dec 30, 31: 9 AM – 2 PM<\/p>\n

OR give us a call and we can arrange pickup!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

We look forward to reporting back to you in 2025 with more stories just like Shamar\u2019s and how YOU made a positive impact for youth in London!\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

With thanks,<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Joel Timmerman<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Executive Director<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ps. Your financial support makes a huge difference to the youth of London! Thank you for taking the time to consider the best way you are able to partner with YFC London. Click here to donate online!<\/a> <\/span>Thank you!<\/span><\/p>\n

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Thank you on behalf of our youth!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\r\n\t<\/div>\r\n<\/section>\r\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":87,"featured_media":4621,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[18,16],"tags":[19,28,22,24],"class_list":["post-4596","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","category-notes-from-our-executive-director","tag-basketball","tag-community","tag-programs","tag-support"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/yfc.ca\/london\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4596","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/yfc.ca\/london\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/yfc.ca\/london\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/yfc.ca\/london\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/87"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/yfc.ca\/london\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4596"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/yfc.ca\/london\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4596\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/yfc.ca\/london\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4621"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/yfc.ca\/london\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4596"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/yfc.ca\/london\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4596"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/yfc.ca\/london\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4596"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}