Happy April!
As we step into the new fiscal year, we reflect on the past year at Rock House Kids (RHK) and look forward to another year of serving our community. This year marks the beginning of our 26th year in the community—an incredible milestone for us. Since 1999, RHK has been providing a safe haven for inner-city kids where they can have their bellies filled, hear the love of Jesus, and receive essential support.
Reflecting on 2024
Last year we had our ups and down. Some of our kids moved away, while others returned, and we welcomed many new faces, as well. Overall, we saw 134 kids return to RHK, and 81 new kids joined the RHK family. Since we started tracking our attendance in 2014, we’ve been blessed to serve 1,560 kids. It's impossible to know how many more lives were touched before we had official records, but each name on that list is a life that was touched. A life who had the chance to hear the words of Jesus. A life who had the opportunity to accept Jesus into their lives.
A Legacy of Faith
I was blessed to sit under the teaching of Dola Gregory, RHK’s founder. She shared what she had to walk through to bring RHK into existence and what her hopes and dreams were for RHK. She began with a street ministry and quickly saw the need to help the inner-city kids. As a result, RHK was born. Dola’s mission was simple: We are going to do one thing, and do it well—serve the kids. Since then, we have stayed true to that mission: reaching inner-city kids with the love of Jesus while meeting their physical needs.
In 2017, when Dola retired, I had the honor of becoming the Executive Director of RHK. I’ve worked hard to continue her vision, even when challenges arose. Too many times, people think of RHK as a community center or afterschool program. This is not who we are. We are, at our core, a faith-based mission. Our mission is to share the gospel with children and bring them to Jesus.
Moving Forward with Purpose
Over the past year, we’ve been blessed with new partnerships, but we also had to say no to some offers. It’s important for us to stay true to our mission. When a partnership doesn't align with our goals, we make sure to guide them toward other organizations that can benefit from their help.
Our building's mural is a testament to our mission—it shows two crosses, one at the beginning and one at the end, with “Rock House Kids” in the middle. This was done intentionally: at RHK, we begin and end with Jesus. He is the one who brings lasting change—one child at a time, one family at a time, one community at a time.
Stories of Impact
There are times when we question if we’re truly making a difference, and then it happens. We’ll receive a phone call, texts, or a visit from a former RHK kid — now a young adult, maybe with children of their own—who shares how much they miss RHK and how it has impacted their lives. They tell us that they wouldn’t be who they are today without RHK, and many of them want their own children to experience the same love and support they did.
Looking Ahead
As we begin this new fiscal year, we’re revisiting our strategic plan to ensure we’re staying true to our mission. It is easy to fall into the way of the world, but we at RHK are mighty warriors of the Lord, standing in the gap for kids who feel lost and alone.
Thank You for Your Support
Each one of you reading this newsletter is a vital part of that work. You are standing in the gap with us for the kids who come through our door. Those of us in the battle cannot do what we do for the kids without YOU! We need your prayers, financial support, and your voice. Tell others about RHK and share the newsletter. If you’re involved in a group, church, or organization, consider inviting us to speak about the impact RHK is making in our community. We at RHK are thankful for each and every one of you! You are part of the RHK team. Let’s stand firm together.
Blessings,
Dee Lacny, Executive Director, Rock House Kids