Our prayer and focus is that our communities and beyond will become Fatherless No More. At IAM we want to point every child growing up without a father to their Heavenly Father!
The goal of our program is very simple yet extremely profound…to see young men and women who have not had the guidance of an earthly father learn they have a heavenly Father who longs to have a relationship with them! The heart of the program involves taking fatherless youth out into God's incredible creation, but it is much more. Idols Aside is committed to teaching and instilling that just as God created ALL things with a purpose, it is each of us who He made as His masterpiece. Our heart is ultimately that each fatherless youth will surrender their lives to their Heavenly Father and Savior Jesus Christ. The athletes, staff, and volunteers that have been involved in this powerful program have been among some of the most changed and blessed since the birth of this program in 2009.
However, we have planted ourselves in numerous other capacities to reach as many as possible. Other active aspects of our ministry include:
- Worship
- Weekly Bible Studies
- Mentoring
- Weekly Feeding Programs
- Schools
- Local Community Outreach
- Tutoring
- Sports Camps
There are many ways that each of us can impact a fatherless youth's life but we must be obedient to the burden that God has called His church. James 1:27
59 percent of mentored teenagers earn better grades.
27 percent of mentored youth are less likely to begin using alcohol.
52 percent of mentored youth are less likely to skip school.
(American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 2015)
Classroom teachers and school counselors observe students who struggle, both academically and socially. However, teachers are often unable to dedicate the time needed to assist students and find solutions to the problems with which children struggle. Mentoring in many schools was a helpful tool in reaching these students who are identified as being at risk.
What does the research reveal about how mentorship can impact a child’s life?
In a study on how varying youth risk profiles affect a mentoring relationship and outcomes was conducted by Herrera, DuBois, and Grossman in 2013, the strongest and most consistent benefit for youth regardless of their risk profile is a reduction in symptoms of depression. Almost 25% of youth reported depressive symptoms at intake. Noteworthy improvements are made across risk profiles in social acceptance, academic attitudes, and grades.
76% of at-risk adolescents who had a mentor aspire to enroll in and graduate from college versus 56% of at-risk adolescents who had no mentor. (Rodríguez-Planas, N. Do youth mentoring programs change the perspectives and improve the life opportunities of at-risk youth?. IZA World of Labor, 2014)
Research data found that students who had mentors, such as Big Brothers/Big Sisters, increased participants’ grade-point averages by .37 points. (Johnson, Kellie Carter, "Mentoring At-Risk Youth: A Case Study of an Intervention for Academic Achievement with Middle School Aged Students." (2007). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. Paper 2070)
Are you willing to MENTOR or DISCIPLE the Fatherless Youth you have been entrusted to show the love of Christ?
If so, we are excited to have you join us in the fight against Fatherlessness!
To find out what role you can play with one of our many opportunities to serve, please fill out the form below and one of our team members will be in contact with you soon.