The Long Term Impact of HOPE Youth Corps

I received the most touching and inspiring Volunteer Corps application a couple of days ago. Back in 2007, Chris J. Harried used to be one of the vulnerable kids we serve on our programs. He came from a challenging home situation in Baltimore. The HOPE Youth Corps volunteers had a huge impact on his life, as they mentored him.

Eleven years later, Chris is a disciple of Jesus, a qualified educator, and is signing up for his 5th Volunteer Corps as a participant. Over the last few years, he has served in Dallas, Alaska, Atlanta, and India. This July, he is going to Zambia, where he will teach and train local teachers in Lusaka.

I was moved to tears as I read his application.

Now read Chris' own words...

"500 words simply aren't enough for me to adequately articulate what this organization and this specific program mean to me, not only a Christian, but simply as a person as well. I first was exposed to the impact of HOPE Youth Corps as a participant in their 2007 Camp Miracles program in Baltimore. At the time, I was a middle schooler who was experiencing a lot in my home life; my mother was caught up in the devastating heroin epidemic that swept my beloved hometown, and my father was struggling to make ends meet for me and my siblings, which often involved him being engaged in the penal system.

In addition to this, I was struggling to adapt to the social dynamic of my school, as I was blessed to perform well in my coursework-which drew the ire of my peers. The week I spent with those campus students from across the country radically changed my life and planted the seeds of God's word in my heart. As a result of their faithfulness, I began working with Hww's Baltimore Chapter in the winter of 2008, and subsequently was baptized in October of 2009. Since then, God has blessed me to be able to participate in 4 HOPE worldwide Volunteer Corps, spanning the globe from Dallas to New Delhi.

Each time that I am privileged to take part in these faith building journeys, God has revealed different elements of his character and his plan for my life. More importantly, my participation in these programs has allowed me to mature in my understanding of the calling that is placed upon my life to serve as Jesus did. The focus at its core is loving and serving one another and others with true humility.

My desire to take part in this year's program in Zambia stems from my wish to keep my heart soft towards being sacrificial in my giving, and also growing in my appreciation for God's incredibly designed canvas of his wonder and splendor. Despite being blown away by how much God has used what little I thought I had to offer in the past, I am excited at the possibility to of being able to merge my passion for education with my desire to serve in God's kingdom. Simply put: Through this opportunity, I am ready to embrace our oft-repeated yet continuously courageous rallying call of 'Here am I, send me'. To God be the Glory."