"For  I say unto you...as ye do unto the least of these, so do ye unto Me." Mt. 35:40

            Joe  Eriquez has a mantra that he would like you to consider:  "You cannot change the world, but you can  change the world of a child."  As  Director of Heart for the City, Joe knows this is true, because he sees  it happening every day.  And, the  "children" that he sees changed are right here in Glendale, Arizona!

"What,"  you may wonder, "does it take to change the world of child?"  The answer is several fold, and may surprise  you.  First, you have to care - - you  have to care that virtually in your own backyard are young people who are  struggling at the crossroads of their lives - - determining for themselves if  they should pursue a life in mainline society or go the way of a life of crime  as part of a gang.  You have to care that  if you don't intervene, Arizona's greatest resource - - it's youth - - is going  to be squandered. 

Once  you realize that you do, in fact, care, you need to act.  You need to become a part of a youth's life -  - a youth who currently feels no one really cares what happens to him or  her.  You must become a mentor, a  surrogate parent, a big brother or sister, a friend. When a child finds out  that someone cares about them, and is stepping up to take an active role in  their life, the joy they feel is indescribable.   Just as importantly, this action will change your life for the better as  well. Finally,  you need to give.  You need to give of  yourself; you need to give prayer; and you need to give of your finances.  Your money serves several vital purposes in  the life of the youth you choose to sponsor:   You can underwrite the cost of their involvement in after school sports  activities; you can provide a holiday meal for them and their family, and you  can contribute directly to their education.   "How much," you may wonder, "will all of this cost me?"  Actually, it is probably a lot less than you  may expect!

            Your opportunity to transform lives, not  only for now but also for eternity, will be enhanced if you decide to give even  more.  Heart for the City's "4  H Program" will allow you to do just that.   The program, Holiday Help for Hungry Homes, provides meals on  Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas for needy families in Glendale.  You can deepen your relationship with those  you sponsor by assuming the responsibility of providing their family with a Holiday meal.  After all,  it's hard to have a Happy Holiday on an empty stomach.The  key to success for these young people is education, for that is the element  that will allow them to be self-sustaining. Heart for the City has a wonderful Ministry House, which provides  a safe haven for the youth of the area.   What they want to do is set up a Computer/Multi Media center where young  people can work on their homework and sharpen their computer skills.  What they need, of course, is computers.  If you, or the company you work for, has  hardware that you can donate to this endeavor it will be greatly appreciated.

            To  make arrangements to make a difference, contact Heart for the Cityand offer yourself - - your time and your money.  After all, "as ye do unto the least of  these........."