In 1997, community leaders and parents established Community Partners with Youth (CPY) with the goal of reducing juvenile crime by increasing adult supervision during “out of school” hours – those hours after school, during student holidays and over the summer months. Their mission statement is: To provide a safe, nurturing environment where youth can strengthen their personalities and develop educational and social skills.
Abiding Savior is proud to partner with Community Partners with Youth each summer by opening our doors to provide a place for the program to serve youth each Monday – Thursday. Members of our congregation have volunteered, donated resources, and have helped staff the program. Below is a reflection shared by one of those staffers:
Community Partners with Youth (CPY), is a program that focuses on instilling values of leadership, excellence, honesty, respect, service, and kindness in the children who participate. These are taught through a variety of means, including arts and crafts, cooking projects, field trips, team oriented games, and service projects. These activities provide structure and create an environment where all youth are able to learn, grow, and simply have fun being kids.
I have had the opportunity to work for CPY the past two summers, which has given me unique insight into how Abiding Savior provides a community of love for the kids and families in our community through its partnership with CPY. The church and its members have given so much to this program, not only have we opened our doors to provide a safe space, members also volunteer time in the kitchen to clean up after meals, donate resources such as sports equipment, volunteer on the CPY board, and help in many other ways.
Throughout the summer, I witness these kids learning new skills and gaining confidence in their abilities. They are excited for the opportunities the program provides, much of which would not be possible without the caring support Abiding Savior provides each year. This is very much a ministry of love that reaches the children of the community and their families in a way that is special and enduring!
For more information about Community Partners with Youth, please visit their website at https://cpymn.org/.