Monday, April 15, 2013

Boys' Center Update

Over the past three months the Boys’ Center, staff and students have experienced positive results from their focus on increased retention during Bible study. The boys have retained several main themes as they relate to the lessons taught by staff members. The staff at the Boys’ Center also worked with the boys to learn the Lord’s Prayer. So far, most of the boys have learned about 80% of it.

During the past three months, the boys had the opportunity to earn privileges, which includes basketball on Monday evenings. While we would have liked to see some better peer interaction and conflict resolution during our Monday evening games, an overnighter on Tuesday, March 26 provided the opportunity for staff to reinforce appropriate behavior. Even though it was hard, we had to tell some boys they couldn’t join us because of behavioral issues.

I had no idea what painful fun awaited me. The overnighter included wings at Quaker Steak and Lube in Cranberry, a movie at Carmike Cinemas on Rt. 18, and all-night basketball at Beaver County Christian School. Even though the boys were pretty tired the next morning, everyone went to the Brighton Hot Dog Shop for pancakes and then paintball at Steel Town Paintball in Emsworth. While tiring and painful (at least for staff as I had to stop for Aleve on the way to paintball), it was an outstanding evening, one in which deserving young men’s positive behavior was reinforced by the reward of a great overnight with a lot of food and fun.

Also, over the past two months, Mr. Matt, Mr. Dave, and I have opened the Boys’ Center on Tuesday through Thursday mornings so the boys could get donuts, juice, and prayer. Several young men show up every morning faithfully with expectant spirits in need of prayer. To God be the glory! God bless!

Mr. Bryan Crawl

P.S. Mr. Bryan stayed awake from 4 p.m. Tuesday until after 1 p.m. Wednesday, proving the medical community correct that people over 50 don’t need as much sleep.  - Matt Nance

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