This Spring, the Abundant Life STRIVE program celebrated togetherness and brotherhood on their annual Spring Trip.
“For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus” Galatians 3:26 KJV
The Abundant Life STRIVE Program was designed to foster and further leadership skills. This program focuses on preparing young men in our community, in grades 9th through 12th, to develop positive relationships. STRIVE is rooted in strong Chrisitan values that participants focus on in their 1-on-1 mentorship meetings, that they carry throughout life. Since STRIVE’s initiation, 83% of participants attended college and 90% of participants attended college or became fully employed 6 months post-graduation.
On Monday April 4th, our STRIVE gentlemen departed from the AL Center to Virginia Union University, where they were given a walking tour and had one-on-one conversations with Admissions counselors. Following VUU, they visited STRIVE Coordinator, Bruce Bolling’s, former pastor who then gave them a tour of the Lumpkins Slave Jail. Our participants Also visited Richard Bland College, where they were then given a tour.
On Friday, April 8th, STRIVE members were blessed with a chance to attend C-FAW (college for a weekend) at Liberty University. Their stay was graciously paid for by the Office of Inclusion at the University. Here, they participated in various activities with other attendees and college students, such as Ice Skating, Baseball, and Gameroom gaming.
Following their adventures of opportunities, members and coordinators fellowshipped further over a talk about the different schools that they visited. AL remains passionate about providing opportunities for all of our neighborhood, that they wouldn’t likely have.
“The spring break college trips were great. I realize I love the opportunities provided through big universities. Liberty is one of the best colleges I’ve been to.”
Noureldin, Participant
