WID-WID: December 2011
You Make The Difference
Jay - Hey, man. What are you up to?
Chris - Nothing much. What about you?
Jay - Check it out...me and some of the guys are going over here to jack somebody. Wanna come?
Chris - Naw, man. I'm going over here to the center and hang out there.
Jay - Man, that's wack!! Why you always up there until late at night? Even on weekends?
Chris - Man, it's cool! They have lots of stuff to do - people to help
with your work, crafts, sports, info on saving money, going to college,
sports and they even feed us hot meals for dinner. You should come.
Jay - Naw, man. Later.....
This is a recap of a discussion that took place a couple of hours prior to a 19 year old man being killed. He was pushed in front of a Dallas Area Rapid Transit train.
Most know of the "works" of St. Philip's as a school but the reality is our ministry serves more people as community center than as a school. Over 1700 people are blessed by the programs the young man listed. He did not go on to tell his school mate about the services to the elderly, depot for meals on wheels, food pantry, senior citizens transportation program, legal clinic, and many other resources St. Philip's provides for the community.
The youth who participate in our community center know the young boys who were involved in this tragic crime. They were 6th, 7th, and 8th graders - now they are criminals. They were not a part of the group that just attended last Sunday's Cowboys vs. Giants game through tickets donated by Paul McArdle. They were not a part of the group that participates in Discover Dallas, which takes youth from South Dallas to sites all over the metroplex. And, of course, they won't be among the hundreds of children who will be blessed through this Saturday's Christmas Store.
The exposure we provide to quality volunteers, mentors, role models, and supporters makes the difference. A filter....a pause button....an option....are often the difference in being able to make the 10 o'clock news in a negative or a positive light. This is why the doors of St. Philip's remain open on weekends, during the summer, and just about any time the doors of public schools are closed.
Thanks to all who support the ministry of St. Philip's. We instill confidence to make the correct choice and the acknowledgement of the consequences that accompany poor choices. You make the difference.
Forever Thankful,
Dr. Terry J. Flowers, Headmaster / Executive Director
St. Philip's School & Community Center
"The place where transformation is an everyday occurrence."
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