Houston: reVision

of kinship occurs when we begin to imagine and then encounter the hope-filled, life-giving reality that each of us belongs to each other. reVision is called to cultivate a community of kinship where there is no ‘us’ and ‘them,’ there is just us. We are committed to standing with the most at-risk youth who are not only trying to survive on the margins of our communities, but on the margins of hope. reVision seeks to affirm their dignity and potential, and accept them into a compassionate community. reVision’s activities are focused on mentoring, case management, community support and education. reVision (1) recruits, trains and supports caring adults from over 12 churches in the Greater Houston community to mentor our youth who are adjudicated with the Harris County Juvenile Probation Department (HCJPD) or have severe discipline problems in our partner schools; (2) partners with HCJPD’s executive leadership and area probation officers to develop best practices in case management to serve the needs of its adjudicated youth; (3) works with partner churches to organize special activities/outings for the youth and to host weekly gatherings to promote the development of life skills and community spirit; and (4) advocates to keep its youth in their home schools, using trauma-based approaches to discipline and the development of school cultures that are open and welcoming to all students. The reVision model provides troubled youth with the resources they need, and connects them to a support system that is nurturing and transformative. What do reVision youth think? "reVision is there to give me a positive answer and help me to think positive." "You take reVision away, you take away my family." "It really does change your life." What do reVision mentors think? "reVision’s impact does not stop with the troubled youth themselves. reVision makes a huge difference in the lives of its mentors and volunteers. Personally, I can bear witness to this truth. Serving as a reVision mentor has been the single most transformative experience in my life this past year. I haven’t just learned a lot about kids who are very different from me; I’ve leared a whole lot about myself in the process. I’m a more empathetic and compassionate person than before I began mentoring. I listen better than I did before. I am slower to judge and more curious to know about the root of societal problems." Please join reVision in helping the youth of Houston's future.