Giving the Basics
Some of the teens who come to Rock Solid were given an ultimatum by their parents: get help, or get out. They’ve tried counsellors, sending their son to live with relatives, even legal intervention, but what do you do when nothing works? Getting help is expensive, and most families cannot afford the full cost of residential programs like Rock Solid.
When you give to Rock Solid Refuge, you are giving a second chance to these young men. You are providing for their most basic needs. Food, water, shelter. This is not a small thing, this is an essential function of your gift.
“I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink… Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” (Matthew 25:35,40)
Giving Safety
Your gift provides safety and security for our students. This isn’t just through supervision, but also in giving them a place away from their normal environment to seek help. Change is tough enough, but trying to change without changing your environment, your influences, your support system, that’s even more difficult!
Because of your gift, our students live on site and are able to focus on their own struggles without having to worry as much about troubles at home, at school, or in their communities. Rock Solid Refuge is a safe environment, and this is made possible only through your gift.
“I caused chaos wherever I went. When I found out my parents were sending me to Rock Solid Refuge I thought, ‘Fine. I’ll create chaos there, too.’ It was all I thought I could do. All I was meant to do. When I stepped into Rock Solid for the first time, I sensed there was something different about this place. Maybe I’m missing something. Maybe there’s something better for me.’” –RSR Student.
Giving Relationship
Your gift allows us to hire quality staff who truly care about the students. Mentoring and discipleship are two core aspects of our program and our staff strive every day to model a positive, Christian life. The staff work to create an environment where conversations about struggles and hardships can be brought up naturally and addressed in a way that is beneficial to the student instead of hurtful. This sense of love and belongingness is only possible because of your generosity.
“A month or two into the program I confessed some difficult things to James Simpson, the Counsellor. He was really, really willing to help me. I can’t express how happy I am that there is hope for me and others - that God’s grace is always there to bring us back to Him.” –RSR Student Intern
Giving Confidence
For many of our students, one of their earliest and most impactful accomplishments come during their time in the classroom. The first report card or major test they get back is an incredible moment, they are able to see the marked improvement that they’ve made with a little extra structure and support. Suddenly it’s as though the whole world opens up to them and graduation, something that might have once seemed impossible or undesirable, becomes a realistic goal. That extra support and structure isn’t cheap. Educational accountability is incredibly difficult to achieve without buy-in from the school, family, and community. Being a residential program, it is easier for us to press these issues, but it is only because of your support that we can afford to bring these students back to good function long enough for the student to have that ‘aha’ moment.
“You see these students come into your classroom in the public school system and they make all sorts of trouble for the first few days, but then they just stop showing up altogether. There’s not much you can do as a teacher if they’re not in your classroom, and because they can just get up and walk out… I mean, how do you reach them like that?” – Tyler Dueck, Education Director
Giving Hope
Once a student has this ‘aha’ moment, once he sees what he can accomplish, he then begins to recognize his own potential. He begins to see his future in a different light. Maybe there’s more to this life than the pain that he’s experienced. He sees how others have rallied together to provide for him. He feels safe to explore his own hurts and struggles. He sees the ups and downs of real life modelled in the staff. He sees his own untapped potential. He hears of a God who truly loves him despite everything he has done and he begins to realize that change really is possible.
And it all begins… with your gift.