NEW LIFE FOR YOUTH
The old-fashioned home environment with:
Dad working in the community,
Mom as a homemaker,
Everyone eating meals together,
Each individual playing games and reading together,
Going to church as a family
Having a set of “right and wrong” values taught to children and modeled by both parents…
This “traditional” type of environment is unavailable to many children and young peopl
e today! It has often been replaced with a one-parent home with that parent working; latch-key, nursery, or day-care programs to care for children on a continual basis; TV and movies to replace talking, reading and playing together; impersonal, out-of-the-home sources that do not model fundamental, honest values of morality, and which teach alternative lifestyles. One of the main objectives of New Life For Youth is to recreate many of the facets of the old-fashioned home environment at the D.J. This 40-acre ranch, which now serves as headquarters for the organization, was donated to New Life For Youth, debt-free, in 1985. The property features a sprawling ranch-type home with attached apartment, a large horse barn with stalls and an indoor riding arena, a pond, and enough space to happily provide an old-fashioned environment and setting for a year-round program for children and youth. Bunk-style beds in the main house afford an overnight stay that is enjoyed by many young visitors. He died of a drug overdose several years ago. This tragedy is a constant reminder to New Life For Youth’s leaders who have developed a unique program to meet the physical, emotional, intellectual, social and spiritual needs of the children and young people who come to the ranch. Doris Chupick, director of New Life For Youth, is a retired educator who has worked with children and youth for over 30 years. Her devotion, commitment, forthrightness and experience provide the drive which keeps her moving forward with plans, prayers and programs. Michael Hibbs, Assistant Director, has worked with Doris for over 15 years. He has helped develop the counseling and activity programs at D.J. He is presently completing his graduate work in school psychology. The on-campus program of New Life For Youth is primarily designed for youth ages 8 through 14 years. Riding and caring for the horses on the ranch is one of the highlights enjoyed by these young people. Learning to love, nurture, clean and then ride the horse is an experience of a lifetime and a major therapeutic aspect of New Life’s program. The participants share in the responsibility of household chores and clean-up at the ranch as well as on camping trips. These excursions can extend from weekend to month-long jaunts in various parts of the U.S. Transportation is by motor home; girls dorm inside, while boys camp outside in tents. Activities at home or away include participation in group discussions and recreation, as well as times of devotion, prayer, and Bible study. CHARACTER TRAINING is emphasized with these beliefs:
To know that compassion, wisdom and good decision-making is often learned from deep personal disappointments and experiences. To appreciate the flow of forgiveness that can bring God’s peace and comfort. To love, respect and pray for the well-being of parents. To value one’s personal uniqueness and individuality. Through this multi-faceted program and with strong faith in God, New Life For Youth Enterprises seeks to bring hope to many hurting youngsters.
“For there is hope for a tree - if it’s cut down it sprouts again, and grows tender, new branches. Though its roots have grown old in the earth, and its stump decays it may sprout and bud again at the touch of water, like a new seedling.” Job 14:7-9
How can you help? You can help through a financial contribution to New Life For Youth Enterprises, Inc. Your continuing gifts are tax-deductible as New Life is a fully certified and licensed non-profit corporation. You can help as a volunteer, by providing your time and talents at the D.J. You can help by donating furniture, supplies and equipment to provide a comfortable and healthy atmosphere for the children. You can help through a commitment to prayer for New Life, its leaders and the children and their parents. For further information or for a personal meeting with either Doris or Mike, please write or call:
New Life For Youth Enterprises, Inc.
7585 Arnold Rd. Ira Twp, MI 48023
(810) 765-6862
