September is always a busy month at RHK. The kids return to school, and we hold our annual fundraiser. Some kids who were away for the summer return, while some leave us for the school year.
This year, our annual fundraiser was a celebration - Celebrating 25 years of RHK and the completion of construction. We focused on the change that has happened and the hopes and dreams of the future of RHK and the kids who attend.
Yes, there have been changes at RHK. Our building is over twice the size of the building RHK started with. We have grown from a handful of kids to over 250 kids coming each week. We have grown from feeding the kids sandwiches to full-blown meals such as chicken, pasta, tacos, turkey dinners for Thanksgiving, and ham dinners for Christmas.
Program nights have gone from one night a week to four. We have changed how we run the program for the first – fifth graders. They have stations instead of classrooms. The sixth graders have moved up with the middle and high schoolers.
All these changes have been great. But there is one thing that stays the same. That is the goal of RHK. RHK has not swayed from the reason RHK started. RHK began to share God's love with inner-city children through Biblical principles, with physical and spiritual solutions.
This is harder today than in the past ten years when I first started at RHK. In today's world, where Godly principles are not "cool" or are considered archaic, it is harder to find ways for kids to understand the love of Jesus.
We have found consistency, and not swaying from God's truth is the key. Staff and volunteers show up each night. No matter how the night may go, it would be a good night if these four things happened each night. 1. The kids showed up. 2. They had their bellies filled. 3. They received a nugget of Jesus. 4. They went home safe and happy.
We at RHK know the only way to make a change that matters and will last a lifetime is Jesus. How do we do this? We follow 1 John 3:18: "Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and truth." We serve the kids who come to RHK. We may not teach what is popular, but we teach the truth.
But here is the catch. With all these wonderful changes, we need help. We need people with a heart for kids and time they can devote to the kids at RHK. Whether working behind the scenes preparing items for the evening program, bringing a meal, serving a meal, or working directly with the kids - we need you.
If you cannot physically be a part of RHK, we need supplies for the kids. Did you know our website has an Amazon wish list (rockhousekids.org)?
Are you a prayer warrior? Did you know we have a weekly email with specific prayer requests for RHK?
Then there are the financial needs. With our growth comes increased costs. We need everything from utilities to gas for the vans so we can continue to pick up kids who would not be able to come, to field trips, and even more staff.
Lastly, we need the name RHK made known in the community. Let us stop being the "best-kept secret." We want to be known so more kids can come to a safe place to feel loved and find safety from the streets.
In the past 25 years, I know we have had influence. I have been lucky enough to talk with kids who have gone through RHK. They told me about the difference RHK had made in their lives. Some said they would not have had a meal if it was not for RHK. Others said they would not have had a coat. Still, others said the people at RHK were family and believed in them. RHK is making a difference and making changes in the lives of kids. Bringing them help for today and hope for eternity. Thank you to all who support RHK. YOU are making a difference in the lives of hundreds of kids.
Blessings,
Dee Lacny, Executive Director, Rock House Kids
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