Just next to Scott Elementary School in Allison Hill sits an old church. It hasn’t held a congregation in a couple of years, but it hasn’t been empty either.
I realized how much activity exists there as I walked through the church’s side doors one Tuesday evening to attend the Center for Champions’ “Rooted” program for elementary and junior high youth.
Children-adult pairs entered the building smiling, catching up and donning a red, blue, yellow or green pinnie. Kids tucked their phones into the small plastic “phone jail” for the evening to eliminate distractions and headed to the court for some basketball and tag. After everyone arrived, the youth retired to a classroom for a snack, while the adults talked over the night’s plans.
Then the music amped up, the adults formed a cheer tunnel, and the kids strutted out, met by a multitude of high fives.
This wasn’t like any youth program I’ve seen.
Life-on-Life
Two years ago, the Center for Champions, a youth mentorship program, moved into this church on the Hill. The team’s mission was to reach Harrisburg youth facing poverty, fatherlessness and trauma. According to their website, 40 percent of Harrisburg youth are growing up in poverty.
“What God laid on my heart was one-on-one mentoring,” said Jeff Bruce, the organization’s executive director.
Since 1998, Center for Champions has been investing in the lives of children in the Harrisburg area. The organization began in the form of an after-school program, but eventually evolved into a mentorship program when Bruce became director.
For each student at Center for Champions, a volunteer from the community accompanies them. The pairs meet at the center once a week—Tuesdays for the junior high group and Fridays for senior high—and hang out together on their own time.
Scott Monday and eighth-grader Nazier have been matched for over 1½ years. On Tuesdays, they play games together, Nazier’s favorite part, and they frequent the local Wendy’s for their favorite sandwich, the “Baconator.”
“We’ve gotten to know each other and the trust has developed,” Monday said. “We have a lot of fun together.”
Throughout the course of the night, mentors and mentees play group games, make crafts, listen to a Bible lesson and spend time talking one-on-one.
Fourth-grader Andres has only been matched with his mentor Scott Burkholder since November, but the pair has bonded over snow tubing and other activities the center hosted.
“I get to do a lot of new things and have a fun time and learn about God,” Andres said.
Eye Opening
About 70 percent of kids at Center for Champions grow up in poverty and about the same number are fatherless, according to Bruce. Many are raised by single moms.
This was a reality that “Rooted” coordinator Alison Maurer wasn’t fully aware of until she volunteered one night with her sister.
Previously a federal agent in Philadelphia, Maurer had little experience with young people.
“I had zero interest,” she said. “It was this shift in my life and change in perspective that really made me consider it. My eyes were opened to the need.”
After that night of volunteering, Maurer was hooked. She reached out to Bruce and even with her limited experience, he saw the passion she had for the kids.
Over the years, Maurer has seen growth in students as their behavior has improved and mentor relationships have developed.
“Often, I hear from students, ‘I’m not as mad anymore,’” she said. “They relate, trust and talk to their mentors.”
However, Bruce explained that Center for Champions’ goal isn’t to change people, but to show them love.
“We want our mentors just to build relationships,” he said. “Love like Jesus loves, model Christ-like behavior, but your goal isn’t to convince them of anything. Just let your relationship dictate the questions they have and see what happens.”
Center for Champions is located at 413 S. 19th St., Harrisburg. For more information, visit www.centerforchampions.org.
