What We Do
Why JCLC?
The generational de-construction of the family.
There is an absence of fathers who are leading and loving their families as God has called them to.
The result?
A lack of security, support and vision for the future in the lives of unfathered and at-risk youth.
A generation of young people will not change unless it is led to change.
The lives of at-risk youth must be interrupted with God’s truth and led to change by MEN and WOMEN of character – JCLC Staff and Mentor Leaders!
What makes a child at-risk in the United States?
- Living in poverty
- Living in a single-parent household
- Living in a household without English speakers
- Living through a traumatic experience(s) – you can read more about this topic here
- Living with a parent/guardian(s) who:
- is uneducated
- has been incarcerated
- struggles with his/her mental health
- struggles with addiction
Effects of COVID-19 on our youth:
- Decline in reading and math scores, especially for English Language Learners
- Increased poverty and lack of security
- Increased exposure to domestic violence
- Lack of in-person connection with peers and stable adults
- Lack of physical activity, paired with unhealthy sleeping and eating habits
- Increased anxiety and depression
Effects of social media and the virtual world on our youth:
- Increased anxiety and depression
- Increased feelings of isolation
- Increased vulnerability to child predators
- Record number of suicides
- Easy access to pornography, explicit violence and other mature and explicit content
- Decreased desire and social capability to connect with peers in-person
What is JCLC?
JCLC is a nonprofit organization with a mission to develop unfathered and at-risk boys and girls into global-minded leaders of God’s design.
JCLC is currently made up of a small staff team with a big vision to see God’s Kingdom built in Cleveland and beyond by raising up the next generation of Christ-centered leaders.
How does JCLC work?
JCLC fulfills its mission by discipling unfathered and at-risk children in 4th-12th grade.
MENTORING PROGRAM
JCLC’s Mentoring program pairs each child “Apprentice” with an adult “Mentor Leader”. The mentor builds a relationship with the child and disciples him/her to know and follow God. The JCLC staff team trains and supports the mentors, as well as works on-the-ground with the Apprentices and their families, deepening the relationships on a day-to-day basis.
The People
We build a team of Christ-centered adults around each Apprentice through which he/she is discipled:
- Mentor Leader – the discipler of the Apprentice
- JCLC Staff Team – the shepherds and leaders over the Apprentice and Mentor Leader relationship
- Prayer Warrior – the intercessor for the Apprentice and his/her family
- Provision Partners – the provider of financial resources needed to equip the Apprentice
- Education Coordinator – the connector for the Apprentice to school or ESL support
- Mother Support Lead – the discipler of the Apprentice’s mother
- Community Support Team – the other vital adult supporters in the life of the Apprentice
The Processes
We build processes into each Apprentice’s life through which he/she is discipled:
- Daily Bible reading
- Weekly connection with Mentor Leader
- Weekly connection with JCLC staff member
- Academic accountability and support, as needed
- Monthly Small Group
- Monthly Bridge Event gathering
- Quarterly Leadership Conference
