Conquering: Laying out Order & Taking it Back!

There has been a level of warfare that is taking place not only in our households, communities, schools and youth programs.  It's time that we as parents, school administrators, caretakers, coaches, fathers, mothers, grandmothers and teachers have to take it back. As we began to ease God out out of our homes and in our communities. There is a spirit of rebellion that has been rising up within our children. The enemy is after our seed.  He not only hates everything that we represent. He hates the future and the generational linage that are kids will create.  The enemy wants to destroy our destiny and destroy everything we care about.

"It is the image of God reflected in you that so enrages hell; it is this at which the demons hurl their mightiest weapons."--William Gurnall

Where do we start you may ask? How do we begin to reverse a curse that has been set in motion where our homes hasn't taken a stand up against it. Have we as parents given up? Have we as teachers become to burnt out to care? Have we as after school program leaders feel it is a lost cause? Anyone working with youth have heard those questions looming over our heads. I'm here to tell you that there is hope.  If we use practical methods in destroying simple hindrances that will come up in youth programming. 

We must begin to make a connection between the child and the parent. I know this can sometimes be a difficult task.  As parents are worn out from work and their daily battles that they have to face.  Adding on attending a parent meeting can be difficult task to carry out. A way around this issue would be to add incentives, offer a meal, and or training that the parents could be interested it in. The main objective would be to build relationship with the parent.  Because, ultimately they are their biggest influence. For example, one method that I've used recently is to take one step further. Home visitations and phone calls home.  It's important to build the relationship with the parent.  I know it can be a time consuming a daunting task. But, this is what true outreach is all about. Stop by a parents house, we have access to their address information. Don't be scared. Make the effort to make the connection to let the parent know that someone is in this battle alongside of them.

Day 1 of the ACE Summer Developmental Basketball Camp

On July, 20, 2013, A.C.E. Summer Developmental Basketball Camp in partnership with Perseverance Mentoring kicked off on the right foot. The morning began with coaches selecting players for each team. The new t-shirts branded with A.C.E., Perseverance Mentoring, and Starbucks of course filled the gym with red, blue, yellow and sky blue. Darnell Dinkins, former tight end for New Orleans Saints, lead the pep talk to the athletes. He spoke about the importance of a positive attitude and having a commitment to what you want to be successful in in life. He emphasized about maximizing your efforts in everything that you do. The talk gave the athletes focus and inspiration to begin the day.

It was time to go to work!  As the experienced coaches, student coaches, and volunteer coaches led the athletes in conditioning.  The teams were separated and matched with their coaches to their designated stations.  There were four stations sectioned off at the Market House gym on the Southside of Pittsburgh and they were ball handling drills, shooting, strength training and foot work.

There was some coaches that were once student athletes that played on Perseverance Mentoring AAU High School team.  California University student, Bruce Glover, dedicated his Saturday by giving back his time by coaching the young athletes in ball handling drills.

This is the first Saturday that is the beginning of several that will be filled with inspiration, hard work, and most of all fun! 

Class Coaches Partnering Together!

Perseverance Mentoring and A.C.E. Basketball has partnered together to bring about the ACE Developmental Saturday Summer Day Camp. The camp is proudly sponsored by Starbucks and will kick off this Saturday, July 20th 1p.m.-4p.m. at the Market House on the Southside. Coach Nehemiah Brazil founded A.C.E. basketball in June 2011. He wanted to find a way to pass on his wisdom and experience in the game of basketball to youth in the Pittsburgh area. The name was created because it a was a acronym that best sums up his basketball and life's journey. The A stands for ATTITUDE, the C stands for COMMITMENT, and the E stands for Effort. 

The class coaches came together to bring not only their skills and experience in athletics and basketball skill set training.  But, they felt a call and a need in their community where they felt a disconnect of young men falling away due to fatherless young men. The camp isn't about just boosting the athletes skill set but the camp begins with the daily pep talk by featured guest speakers like; Darnell Dinkins a Schenley High School graduate and Super Bowl winning Tight End from the New Orleans Saints.  Which will share words of encouragement and advice to push the attitudes of the young men and women attending the camp to new levels. 

The camp will consists of fundamental teaching stations that will improve ball handling, shooting, passing, and rebounding just to name a few.  And, every session will end in the team game.  We are excited about not only the great partnership and sponsorship that came along our side to support.  But, instilling key core values to train youth to became stronger men and women.

 

Kids Kaboom Practice

There was excitement in the air as City Reach Northside gathered together to practice dance for Kids Kaboom! This was indeed the biggest turn out of the summer as a total of eight girls came out for Godly D.I.V.A.S. portion of City Reach Middle/High School Youth Group. Which happens Thursday Nights from 6p.m.-8p.m. every week. The group started off with hugs and greetings as some of the girls already knew each other from school.  It was a reunion of sorts for the girls haven't seen each other throughout the summer months.

We settled down to turn our attention to the introductions and the power point presentation that went over the rules and expectations of the ministry.  Every girl received a pink folder that they were excited about that included an application, song lyrics, and fundraising information to share with the parents at the end of the day. It was time for the fun part!  My daughter, Baubi Buggs, led the girls in a stretching routine.  The girls were giggling and ready to begin dance.

We began to learn the song "My God" by Go Fish and the girls that complained that they weren't coordinated turned out to catch on to the routine.  We broke the girls into partners to see who remembered the routine the most.  And, Domenique Ross and Zehmar Washington led the group as they were the best in remembering every movement to the song to the middle of the song. Great job girls! 

Perseverance Mentoring: 1st Day of Practice

Perseverance Mentoring kicks off its 1st Day of practice in March 2013.  There were 12 middle school boys present that were ready to play the AAU season.  The boys come from a wide array of Allegheny County area school such as, Manchester Academic Charter School, John Morrow, and Sci-Tech.  Practice began at Providence Connections gym and the season practice ended with the support of the Pittsburgh Public Schools John Morrow gymnasium.

What is unique about Perseverance Mentoring is the training and F.C.A. Huddles. The players learn the importance of team work, perseverance, and self-discipline just for starters.  The coaches believe and take pride in positively motivating the young men.  And, molding them to not just be better players but better men. 

I am so excited about what God is about to do with Perseverance Mentoring!  The Godly D.I.V.A.S. in Training Movement is set to recruit young ladies for the orientation day-sign up day. On Saturday, May 26, 2012 at 2:30p.m. We have partnered with Circle of Hope Ministry which is a drop in Center right in the middle of Allegheny Commons.  It's located next to the Management office and the ministry has done so many awesome things in a year's time.  It has fed the homeless, provided a place for prayer and reading of the word, and a safe haven for women and children to be.

You can stop by at the Orientation Day at 255 East Ohio Street Apt. 104 Pittsburgh, PA 15212. We will provide alight snack along with a presentation of rules and expectations. You will have the chance to meet your mentors and what to expect for the coming year. The ministry will teach many art forms such as dance, mime, one-act plays, and spoken word poetry. There will be opportunity for performances and outreach to express what God has been doing.  Also, there will be biblical training, W.A.I.T. Training (Whay Am I Tempted), field trips, and so much more. Please email us @ perseverance.mentoring@gmail.com if you have any questions.