Christian Youth Program Crosses
Three Year Mark
Twelve rites inspire and spiritually nurture Atlanta students
ATLANTA, GA - October marks the beginning of the third biennial Christian Rites of Passage, a 12-month leadership program that spiritually nurtures Atlanta high school students. The year long program features monthly educational sessions, community service projects and concludes with a Debutante & Beau Recognition Celebration Ball.
The Christian Rites of Passage program encourages the positive transition from one stage of life to the next and is the brainchild of program founder and chair Ida Ruth Irwin Crook. Crook was inspired from her experience as a former debutante and was also featured in Ebony Magazine.
Crook believes that faith and values are essential tools to success. “The Christian Rites of Passage program teaches the awesome power of God,” said Crook. “We want each student to understand that one wrong decision can be a life changing event and we hope to plant 12 precious seeds that will grow for many years to come.”
The foundation of the program is 12 Rites of Passage that encourage youth empowerment, self excellence and self-pride and are instilled through structured classroom instruction. The 12 Rites of Passage are designed to assist with development and cover such topics as money management, peer pressure, conflict resolution and dining etiquette.
Program facilitators are essential to the success and represent Atlanta’s most esteemed community leaders. Facilitators for the 2007-2008 include Marvin A. Moss, senior pastor at Cascade UMC; Judge Nina Hickson, City Attorney for city of East Point; and Gary Turner, deputy director of Hands on Atlanta.
The Christian Rites of Passage program has proved to be a positive force in community. Since 2003, 80 youth have graduated with 93% going on to college. Eligible participants are 10th and 11th graders, who exhibit strong leadership, community involvement and scholastic achievement.
|
